Movement - unpredictable or jerky

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

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.

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

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 exam may include detailed examination of both the nervous and the muscular systems. It will be performed with emphasis on the neurological exam. A careful eye examination is also needed to look for some kinds of disease that can affect the eye and movements. Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Blood work such as a complete blood count (CBC) or blood differential
• CT scan or MRI of the head or affected area
• EEG (rarely)
• Lumbar puncture
• Urinalysis

Unpredictable movements may be treated with various medications. This will be decided by your health care provider based on your symptoms and signs.

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).