Athetosis: Introduction

Athetosis refers to the condition in which slow, irregular, twisting, snakelike movements occur in the upper extremities, esp. in the hands and fingers. These involuntary movements prevent sustaining the body, esp. the extremities, in one position. All four limbs may be affected or the involvement may be unilateral. The symptoms may be due to encephalitis, cerebral palsy, hepatic encephalopathy, drug toxicity, or Huntington’s chorea or may be due to an undesired side effect of prolonged treatment of Parkinsonism with Levodopa.