What is Athetosis and Tics?
Athetosis – These are slow, sinuous, purposeless, writhing involuntary movements usually involving the distal part of a limb (athetosis means ‘instability of posture’) Tics – Simple, normal movements which are repeated unnecessarily to become a social embarrassment. These are ‘stereotyped’ movements like head nodding or grimacing of face. Tics may be seen in anxiety states. Aetiology of athetosis are : 1) Post-hemiplegic (infantile) 2) Wilson’s disease 3) Kernicterus 4) Overdose of L-dopa, phenothiazines 5) Birth injury 6) Encephalitis.
