COORDINATION IMP...

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Muscular atrophy

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Coordination impairment
Lack of coordination

Home Care

Take safety measures around the home to compensate for difficulties in mobility that are inherent with this problem. For example, avoid clutter, leave wide walkways, and avoid throw rugs or other objects that might cause slipping or falling.

Other family members should encourage the affected person to participate in normal activities. Family members need to have extreme patience with people who suffer from poor coordination. Take time to demonstrate ways of performing tasks more simply, and taking advantage of the afflicted person's strengths while avoiding weaknesses.

Call your health care provider if

• There is unexplained incoordination.
• Incoordination lasts longer than a few minutes.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

In emergency situations, the patient will be stabilized first.

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history.

The patient will be asked to stand up with the feet together and the eyes closed. This is called the Romberg test. If the patient loses balance, this is a sign of a loss of the sense of position and the test is considered positive.

The physical exam will also include a detailed neurological and muscular examination, paying careful attention to walking, balance, and coordination of pointing with fingers and toes.

Medical history questions may include:

• When did the symptoms begin?
• Is the uncoordinate movement continuous or does it come and go?
• Is it getting worse?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you drink alcohol?
• Do you use recreational/illicit drugs?
• Has you been exposed to something that may have caused poisoning?
• What other symptoms do you have? For example:
  • Weakness or paralysis
  • Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Seizures

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Blood tests (such as a CBC or blood differential)
• CT scan of the head
• Genetic testing
• Antibody testing to rule out paraneoplastic syndromes
• MRI of the head

Referral to a specialist for diagnosis and management may be needed. A home safety evaluation by a physical therapist may be helpful.

Reviewer Info: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. , 03/26/2009