At a glance
What it is
Group of conditions with abnormal muscle tone or involuntary movement — cerebral palsy, spasticity, dystonia, ataxia. May be congenital, acquired, or progressive.
Typical signs
Stiffness, involuntary writhing or tremor, difficulty initiating movement, imbalance, or uncontrolled limb movements.
How we treat it
Physical therapy and stretching are foundation. Botulinum toxin for focal spasticity. Functional neurosurgery (selective dorsal rhizotomy, stereotactic lesioning) for severe, disabling cases.
What motor disorders are
Motor disorders span a spectrum from congenital cerebral palsy to acquired spasticity following stroke, spinal cord injury or brain trauma. The underlying problem is loss of normal inhibitory control over motor neurons, resulting in overactive reflexes, muscle tightness or involuntary movement.
What we see in clinic
2–3 per 1000
Children born with cerebral palsy
30%
Of stroke survivors develop spasticity within weeks
60–80%
Achieve functional improvement with botulinum toxin
Key facts
How it is treated
Physical therapy is the foundation. Pharmacological and surgical options escalate with severity.
Physical therapy
First-line for all motor disorders
- Stretching and positioning to prevent contracture
- Gait training and balance exercises
- Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)
Botulinum toxin
Focal spasticity not responsive to therapy alone
- Injection into overactive muscles
- Blocks acetylcholine release, weakening muscle
- Effect starts in 1–2 weeks, lasts 3–4 months
Oral medication
Generalised spasticity
- Baclofen (GABA agonist)
- Tizanidine (alpha-2 agonist)
- Dantrolene (direct muscle relaxant)
Functional neurosurgery
Severe, disabling cases refractory to conservative therapy
- Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in children with cerebral palsy
- Stereotactic lesioning (pallidotomy, thalamotomy) for dystonia
- Deep brain stimulation (GPi) for generalised dystonia
Related reading
Parkinson's disease
A progressive movement disorder from loss of dopamine cells, causing tremor, stiffness and slowness. Surgery is offered when medication alone fails.
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic or non-traumatic damage to the spinal cord. Early care protects the cord; long-term rehabilitation focuses on restoring function.
Book a consultation
The secretary schedules first appointments during clinic hours; please have prior imaging, operative notes and a current medication list available at the time of the call.
This page provides general information about motor disorders and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, contact a clinician promptly.