Athetoid movement (æθɪtɔɪd muːvmənt) is a type of uncontrollable, slow, writhing movement that is often seen in people with cerebral palsy. The word "athetoid" is spelled with the letter "a" followed by "thetoid," which is derived from the Greek word "theta," meaning "smelling of smoke." This term was chosen because athetoid movements were originally thought to resemble the smoke from a fire. Proper spelling is important in medical terminology to accurately communicate diagnoses and treatments.
Athetoid movement refers to a type of involuntary movement characterized by slow, writhing, and continuous motions. It is typically seen in individuals with certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Huntington's disease. Athetosis is the term used to describe these purposeless, repetitive, and involuntary movements.
The movements seen in athetoid movement disorder are often described as twisting, squirming, or flowing, as they involve a combination of extension, flexion, and deviation of the body's joints. These movements primarily involve the fingers, hands, feet, toes, and face, but they can also affect larger muscles groups of the arms and legs. The severity of athetoid movements can vary, and they can range from mild to severe, as well as intermittent or continuous.
Patients with athetoid movement often face significant challenges in controlling their body movements, which can negatively impact their ability to perform daily tasks, such as writing, eating, or walking. Additionally, it may lead to difficulties in speech production.
The exact underlying cause of athetoid movement is often linked to damage or dysfunction of the basal ganglia, which is a structure within the brain responsible for regulating movement. This damage can result from various factors, including genetic and environmental causes.
Management of athetoid movement involves a multidisciplinary approach, including physical and occupational therapies, speech therapy, and medications to manage any associated symptoms such as pain or dystonia. Assistive devices and adaptive techniques may also be employed to improve the patient's quality of life and functional abilities.
The term "athetoid movement" is a medical term used to describe a specific type of involuntary movement disorder characterized by slow, writhing movements. The word "athetoid" is derived from the Greek word "athetos", meaning "not placed" or "not fixed", and the Greek word "eidos", meaning "form" or "shape".
The term was coined by William Alexander Hammond, an American physician and neurologist, in the mid-19th century. Hammond used the word to describe the abnormal and uncontrolled movements observed in individuals with certain neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy and other movement disorders.
The "athetoid movement" refers to the unpredictable and continuous writhing movements of the limbs and other body parts, which appear to be fluid and lacking a specific pattern or shape.