Movement Disorders


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Movement disorders are a rare and disabling set of symptoms that prevent a child from moving as intended. The disorders can interfere with the ability to start movements, stop movements, or make movements in a smooth coordinated and accurate manner.

Examples of movement disorders include:

dystonia (twisting and turning postures with involuntary muscle contraction)
choreoathetosis (continual random writhing movements of the arms, legs, face, or neck)
ataxia (inaccuracy and tremor of arm movements or unstable walking)
myoclonus (sudden jerking movements of parts of the body, or excessive startle)
bradykinesia (excessively slow and stiff movements)
tremor (continual back-and-forth shaking), and tics (complex repetitive stereotyped movements)

There are many causes of movement disorders. The most common cause is cerebral palsy due to injury to the brain at or before birth. However, there are many other causes, some of which require medical or surgical treatment. It is therefore extremely important to make the correct diagnosis of a movement disorder and attempt appropriate treatments as soon as possible.

The first step in diagnosing movement disorders is to see a child neurologist who is familiar with these diseases. The neurologist will discuss the history of the disorder and perform an examination, and the results will determine the type of disorder and the need for further studies. If such studies are needed, then the child may be sent for laboratory tests, gait analysis, magnetic resonance imaging, or other possible studies.

Treatment of movement disorders has improved significantly over the past 10 years with the discovery of new medicines and the improved understanding of diseases.

Several disorders can be completely cured and others can be significantly improved by using appropriate therapy. Although there remain many disorders that cannot be cured, improvements in medical treatment provide some current benefit and hope for the future for many of these children.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is one of the only hospitals in the worldwith a special clinic devoted exclusively to children with movement disorders. At this clinic, children can be diagnosed and treated with the most modern medical and surgical treatments. As new therapy options become available, they can be used in appropriate children. The facilities include a modern MRI scanner and clinical laboratory that allow the full range of diagnostic options. Our very active neurosurgical program provides the option of neurosurgical procedures for some children who require more than medical therapy alone.

Stanford has an active research program to find new treatments for children withmovement disorders, and in collaboration with other research centers throughout the country we hope to be able to benefit an ever increasing number of children.

To schedule an appointment, or for further information, please contact the Neurology Clinic.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000