Click on the links below to learn more about a few of the Disorders that the Movement Disorder Clinic of Oklahoma Specializes in:

What are Movement Disorders?

* Tremor

Tremor is defined as a rhythmic oscillation of a body part, back and forth. There are many disorders that can cause a tremor. The most common condition is Essential tremor. Parkinson's disease also commonly produces a rest tremor in the limbs. However, numerous other conditions and even medications may lead to the development of a tremor. At our clinic,we utilize specialized equipment to analyze the tremor (tremor study) to find the exact etiology of the tremor and eventually a treatment. ...back to the top

*Bradykinesia

Bradykinesia is a medical term that means "slow movement." The most common condition causing bradykinesia is Parkinson's disease. There are numerous conditions that may look like Parkinson's disease to the casual observer. Various medications, structural lesions in the brain, and other neurodegenerative conditions may result in a parkinson-like state. In addition, countless other neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and orthopedic abnormalities may result in bradykinesia as well. The source of the bradykinesia can be discovered using comprehensive diagnostic techniques at our clinic. ...back to the top

*Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological condition resulting in excessive muscle contractions which lead to twisting or repetitive movements as well as abnormal postures. In adults, this most commonly involves conditions such as blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, meige syndrome, writer's cramp, and other focal dystonias. Dystonia may also be a feature of a more complex neurological condition. Using modern neurodiagnostic equipment, we are able to diagnose this condition and provide treatment approaches unique to each individual patient.
...back to the top

*Ataxia

Ataxia is a medical term that describes incoordinated movements. The incoordinaton can be seen in walking, limb movements, speech, and even eye movements. Commonly, ataxia results from a genetic or hereditary condition causing a slow progressive deterioration in balance and coordination. Numerous sporadic conditions such as stroke, infection, or medications may result in ataxia. A comprehensive neurological evaluation is necessary to find the root cause of the ataxia. ...back to the top

*Gait Disorders

Gait disorders describe conditions that impair one's ability to ambulate normally. Locomotion requires a complex coordination of signals starting in the motor control system of the brain, moving through circuits in the brainstem and spinal cord, continuing through nerve connections from the spinal cord to the muscle. Pathology anywhere along this circuit may result in impairment in gait. Thus, a combination of neurological examination and neurophysiologic evaluation is often necessary to localize the problem. ...back to the top

*Restless Leg Syndromes

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition that results in uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs demanding the patient to move in order to suppress the sensation. Restless legs can result as a primary disorder or as a secondary disorder such as with iron deficiency, thyroid disease, or even during pregnancy. Neuropathy or disease of the nerves can secondarily cause restless leg symptoms. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to properly diagnose the condition and to provide accurate treatment recommendations. Rarely, patients may experience the same symptoms in the arms, termed restless arm sydrome. ...back to the top

*Spasticity

Spasticity is a neurological term describing involuntary, velocity-dependent, increased resistance to stretching of muscles. Cerebral palsy, physical trauma to the brain or spinal cord, stroke, and multiple sclerosis are the more common causes of spasticity seen in the movement disorder clinic. After diagnosis, numerous treatments are available to improve the severity of spasticity which improves quality of life. ...back to the top

*Other involuntary movements

Numerous other involuntary movements may be experienced by patients. These include but are not limited to myoclonus, ballismus, chorea, stereotypy, tics, and dyskinesias. The proper identication of these difficult to diagnose movements require a trained eye and often neurophysiological assessment in order to properly name the movement. Then, an etiology to the type of involuntary movement may be discovered through additional testing. Proper identification of the movement is necessary before a treatment can be prescribed. ...back to the top