Table of Contents
- Overview
- Treatment
- Prevention
Jerky body movements is a condition in which uncontrolled, purposeless, rapid motions interrupt normal movement or posture.
Alternative Names
Jerky body movements; Chorea; Muscle - jerky movements (uncontrolled); Hyperkinetic movements
Considerations
Typical movements of chorea (called tics) include facial grimacing, raising and lowering the shoulders, bending and extending the fingers and toes. The condition can affect one or both sides of the body.
These involuntary movements are generally not repetitive and can appear purposeful even though they are involuntary and uncontrollable. A person with chorea may be viewed as jittery or restless.
Common Causes
There are many possible causes of unpredictable, jerky movements, including Sydenham's chorea,
Some medications such as anti-psychotic drugs, may cause
Review Date: 03/26/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
