Movement Disorders and Musculoskeletal System

Q: What's the difference between Chorea and Ballismus?

Answer: Neurological movements can be of different patterns. A few essential patterns to know are:

Myoclonus: rapid, shock-like muscle jerks

Chorea: rapid, jerky twitches, similar to myoclonus but more random in location and more likely to blend into one another

Athetosis: slow, writhing movements of the limbs

Ballismus: large amplitude flinging limb movements

Dystonia: maintenance of an abnormal posture or repetitive twisting movements

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References:

1. Walker HK. Involuntary Movements. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 70. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK394/

2. Pandey S, Chouksey A, Pitakpatapee Y, Srivanitchapoom P. Movement Disorders and Musculoskeletal System: A Reciprocal Relationship. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2021 Dec 16;9(2):156-169. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.13390. PMID: 35146055; PMCID: PMC8810446.