Decorticate Posturing

decorticateDecorticate Posturing is a flexion of the arms to the body, extension of the legs, abnormal rigidity, and fingers and wrists bent and held to the chest. The arms are bent in toward the wrists and the body and fingers are bent and held on the chest. This is indicates brain damage to the corticospinal tract (the pathway between the brain and the spinal cord) and rated as 3 in the motor response part of the GCS scale. There are many causes to decorticate posturing such as head injury, stroke, increased ICP, and brain tumor to name a few. It could be from lack of oxygen, or he may have hit his head.

Decorticate posturing is a sign of severe damage in the brain. People who have this condition should get medical attention right away.

Decorticate Posturing Causes

  • Bleeding in the brain (intracranial hemorrhage)
  • Head injury
  • Increased intracranial pressure from any cause
  • Brain tumor
  • Stroke
  • Worsening of brain function that occurs from liver damage, infections in the brain, and other causes

    During decorticate posturing the person will receive emergency treatment right away. This includes getting a breathing assistance and breathing tube. The person will likely be admitted to the hospital and placed in intensive care.

    After the condition is stable, the health care provider will get a medical history from family members and a more detailed physical examination will be done. This will include a careful examination of the nervous system.

    The outlook depends on the cause of the decorticate posturing. There may be damage or injury to the nervous or brain system, which can leave the person with long-term problems such as:
    • Coma
    • Paralysis
    • Seizures
    • Inability to communicate