Muscle/Movement Impairment Terminology

Akinesia

the inability to initiate movement, commonly seen in pt with Parkinson's dx

Asthenia

Generalized weakness, typically secondary to cerebellar pathology

Ataxia

inability to perform coordinated movements

athetosis

a condition that presents with involuntary movements combined with instability of posture. Peripheral movements occur without central stability

Bradykinesia

Movement that is very slow

Chorea

Movements that are sudden, random and involuntary

Clonus

A characteristic of an upper motor neuron lesion; involuntary alternating spasmodic contraction of a muscle precipitated by a quick stretch reflex

Cogwheel rigidity

a form of rigidity where resistance to movement has a phasic quality to it; often seen with Parkinson's dx

Dysdiadochokinesia

the inability to perform rapidly alternating movements, cerebellar lesions

dysmetria

the inability to control the range of movement and the force of muscular activity; cerebellar lesions

dystonia

closely related to athetosis, however, there is a larger axial muscle involvement rather than appendicular muscles

fasciculation

a muscular twitch that is caused by random discharge of a lower motor neuron and its muscle fibers; suggests lower motor neuron dx, however can be benign

lead pipe rigidity

a form of rigidity where there is uniform and constant resistance to ROM; often associated with lesions of the basal ganglia

Rigidity

a state of sever hypertoncity where a sustained muscle contraction does not allow for any movement at a specified joint

tremor

involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory movements secondary to a basal ganglia lesion. There are various classifications secondary to specific etiology.

Clasp-knife response

A form of resistance seen during range of motion of a hypertonic joint where there is greatest resistance at the initiation of range thats lessens with movement through the range of motion.

Hemiballism

An involuntary and violent movement of a large body part.

Kinesthesia

The ability to perceive the direction and extent of movement of a joint or body part.