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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Muscle ratcheting, shudder sensations during certain movements
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Muscle ratcheting, shudder sensations during certain movements
by mve05, Mar 30, 2006 12:00AM
For six months now I’ve had this ratcheting, vibrating sensation in most of my major muscle groups in one direction only, usually when the muscle lengthens. For instance, lowering my arms and legs from a raised position my shoulders shudder, shake or have that ratchet sensation. Twisting my wrists and ankles I get the same thing. Even moving my thumb back and forth you can see the ratcheting in one direction. When this all started last October (2005), I saw two neuros and they weren’t sure and said to keep an eye on it. I also had an EMG and it was clean. Recently the ratcheting has gotten a little worse and twitching in my left leg has surfaced along with intermittent pain and numbness in my right hand. Should I be concerned? Should I have another EMG? Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW, Apr 04, 2006 12:00AM
Without knowing more clinical information, (age, history etc) I cannot comment on your individual case
Its not clear what you mean by ratcheting, so I'm not sure how well I can answer your question. Its possible that it may be a joint problem rather than a neurological problem so have this checked out? 'ratcheting' in a neurological sense usually refers to abnormal muscle tone - such as in Parkinsons syndrome where movement in the presence of increased tone and tremor results in a 'cogwheel' type of movement. With a good normal neurological examination, abnormal should be ruled out.
The most common cause of intermittent numbess in the hand is carpal tunnel syndrome ( a pinched nerve), this can be evaluated by a nerve conduction study. Otherwise without persistent numbness or weakness, an EMG would be of very low yield, in general. Perhaps time will tell. This should not constitute a formal opinion as this site ispurely educational
Good luck
Its not clear what you mean by ratcheting, so I'm not sure how well I can answer your question. Its possible that it may be a joint problem rather than a neurological problem so have this checked out? 'ratcheting' in a neurological sense usually refers to abnormal muscle tone - such as in Parkinsons syndrome where movement in the presence of increased tone and tremor results in a 'cogwheel' type of movement. With a good normal neurological examination, abnormal should be ruled out.
The most common cause of intermittent numbess in the hand is carpal tunnel syndrome ( a pinched nerve), this can be evaluated by a nerve conduction study. Otherwise without persistent numbness or weakness, an EMG would be of very low yield, in general. Perhaps time will tell. This should not constitute a formal opinion as this site ispurely educational
Good luck
