Definition:
Uncoordinated movement is muscle control problem or an inability to finely coordinate movements, which results in a jerky, unsteady, to-and-fro motion of the middle of the body (trunk) and unsteady gait (walking style). The condition is called ataxia.
Alternative Names:
Lack of coordination; Loss of coordination; Coordination impairment; Ataxia; Clumsiness; Uncoordinated movement
Considerations:
Smooth graceful movement results from a fine balance between opposing muscle groups. This balance is coordinated by a portion of the brain called the cerebellum. Diseases that damage the cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves can interfere with normal muscle movement and result in coarse, jerky, uncoordinated movement, called ataxia. Ataxia may be the result of a defect that is present from birth (congenital) or a viral infection such as the chicken pox. It may also develop after encephalitis, head trauma, and diseases that affect the central nervous system or spinal cord. In adults, the most common causes are stroke, toxic reactions to medications or alcohol, problems with the nerves in the legs.
Common Causes:
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Problems with the vertebrae in the spine (such as compression fractures of the spine)
- Poisoning by heavy metals such as mercury, thallium, and lead, or solvents such as toluene or carbon tetrachloride
- Alcohol or other drug intoxication
- Drugs such as aminoglutethimide, anticholinergics, phenytoin (in high doses), carbamazepine, phenobarbital and tricyclic antidepressants, although any sedative can cause uncoordinated movement
- Paraneoplastic syndromes (ataxia may appear months or years before cancer is diagnosed -- an affected person produces antibodies against the neurons in the cerebellum)
- Post-infectious condition (typically following chickenpox)
- Hereditary conditions (such as congenital cerebellar ataxia, Friedreich's ataxia, ataxia telangiectasia, Wilson's disease)
References:
Griggs R, Jozefowicz R, Aminoff M. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 418. Timmann D, Diener H. Coordination and ataxia. In: Goetz, CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 17.
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