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Movement - unpredictable or jerky - Overview

Alternative Names

Jerky body movements; Chorea; Muscle - jerky movements (uncontrolled); Hyperkinetic movements

Definition of Movement - unpredictable or jerky:

Jerky body movements is a condition in which people make fast movements that they cannot control and that have no purpose. These movements interrupt their normal movement or posture.

Considerations:

Typical movements of chorea include:

  • Bending and straightening the fingers and toes
  • Grimacing in the face
  • Raising and lowering the shoulders

This condition can affect one or both sides of the body.

These movements do not usually repeat. They can look like they are being done on purpose, although they are not under the person's control. A person with chorea may look jittery or restless.

Common Causes:

There are many possible causes of unpredictable, jerky movements, including:

Some medical illnesses that can cause chorea include:

Other possible causes of chorea include:

  • Benign hereditary chorea (an inherited condition) -- rarely
  • Pregnancy (chorea gravidarum)
  • Tardive dyskinesia (a condition that can be caused by medications such as antipsychotic drugs)
  • Reviewed last on: 2/5/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Jankovic J, Lang AE. Movement disorders: diagnosis and assessment. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 23.

Lang A. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 434.

Subramony SH. Ataxic disorders. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 22.

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