Ataxia is an umbrella term for an inability to control and coordinate movements of your arms, trunk and legs. Ataxias also can affect speech and swallowing. Ataxia is a symptom that often accompanies another condition, such as multiple sclerosis or dystonia (a movement disorder that causes involuntary contractions of your muscles).
Other causes of ataxia include stroke, trauma, genetic mutations and toxin exposure.
Why choose Ohio State for treatment of ataxia?
Multidisciplinary Team of Experts: At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Movement Disorders Clinic, we have a team of experts dedicated to treating movement disorders such as ataxia. They include:
- Movement disorders neurologists with fellowship training or extensive clinical experience in movement disorders
- Social worker
- Physical, occupational and speech therapists
- Nurse practitioners and a clinic nurse
- Neuropsychiatrist who can address related behavioral and mental health issues
- Genetic counselor
Experience with a Rare Disease: We have central Ohio’s largest and most experienced movement disorders team. Our movement disorders specialists have treated hundreds of patients with movement disorders, providing us the opportunity to diagnose and treat a wide variety of people with ataxias.
Physical Therapy Expertise: Our physical therapists specialize in movement disorders and are known internationally for their research and work in setting the standard of physical therapy care for movement disorders, particularly in gait (manner of walking) and balance assessment and treatment.
Additional Information
Please bring a written family medical history with you. Also write down medications and dosages you have taken for your symptoms. Keep a medical log of when your symptoms began and how they are progressing. Note important developments such as when you started tripping, when you stopped driving or when you stopped working. We encourage you to bring a family member or support person with you to each visit.