Performing and Documenting Physical Examination for Movement Disorders

Assessment of Muscle Tone, Reflexes, and Strength

Neurological examination is a crucial component of assessing movement disorders. It includes evaluating muscle tone, reflex responses, and muscle strength to diagnose conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and spasticity.

Muscle Tone Assessment

• Hypertonia: Increased resistance to passive movement, often seen in conditions like spasticity or rigidity.
• Hypotonia: Decreased muscle resistance, commonly observed in neuromuscular disorders.

Reflex Examination

• Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTRs): Evaluated using a reflex hammer; abnormal responses may indicate neurological deficits.
• Pathological Reflexes: Babinski sign and Hoffmann reflex are indicative of upper motor neuron lesions.

Muscle Strength Evaluation

• Manual Muscle Testing (MMT): A graded scale assessing muscle contraction strength.
• Functional Tests: Observations of gait, grip strength, and limb movements provide critical diagnostic information.

Thorough documentation of these assessments ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for movement disorders.