Handling of muscles in varying states of tone can give helpful information. The atonic muscle usually feels non-resilient, soft and atrophied. The term flaccid means ‘relaxed, flabby and without tone’. However, as it is inclined to be used carelessly by medical practitioners, nurses and therapists , students are advised to avoid the use of this term and substitute the more precise terms where they are appropriate. The hypotonic muscle feels soft but not really non-resilient.
It does not usually show much atrophy. The spastic muscle feels tight and hard particularly if it is put slightly on the stretch. Its tendon may be felt to stand out from underlying structures. Muscles showing rigidity feel solid and the limbs are rather leaden to move about.
