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Movement - unpredictable or jerky

• Overview
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

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

Home Care:

Therapy is aimed at identifying and treating the underlying cause. If it is due to medication, the drug should be discontinued if possible. If it is due to medical disease, the disorder should be treated. If the movements are severe and disruptive, medications such as amantadine or tetrabenazine may help control the movements.

Rest helps improve chorea, which can be aggravated by excitement or fatigue. Emotional stress should be minimized.

Safety measures should also be taken to decrease the likelihood of injury from the involuntary movements.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your provider if there is any persistent, unexplained, and uncontrollable bodily motions.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting this symptom in detail may include:

• What kind of movement occurs?
• What part of the body is affected?
• What other symptoms are also present?
• Is there irritability?
• Is there weakness or paralysis ?
• Is there restlessness ?
• Is there emotional instability?
• Are there facial tics ?

The physical examination should include an extensive neurological and muscular system examination.

References:

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 713-736.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2305-2306.

• Review Date: 3/5/2007
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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