Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Cogwheel Rigidity

I saw my doctor today (not neuro), and he says I have 'cogwheel rigidity' in my left arm. When he flexed it at the elbow he could feel several distinct 'ratchets' instead of a smooth motion. I can't feel this at all. He says this also fits with the type of arm and hand tremor I have. According to him, these are symtoms of Parkinson's disease.

When I got home I (natch) looked this up on the Web. Apparently there are no specific tests for Parkinson's, and I'm not even sure about diagnostic criteria. I do match some of the description, but not a lot, and the places I match are where the symtoms are more like MS. I don't have a shuffling gait, I can swing my arms just fine, and I don't drool (yet), among many other facets.

This doctor didn't test my leg movement, and my legs are where I have a lot of tension and pain. He knows I have an appointment coming up in a couple of weks at Hopkins so didn't say much more. Maybe he doesn't even know more or maybe Parkinson's is the only neuro disease he's familiar with.

Can someone give me some info? Is cogwheel rigidity characteristic of anything other than Parkinson's?

Many thanks,
ess
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
147426 tn?1317265632
I'm sorry that was supposed to be to Essie. and Lynn, too, of course. q
Helpful - 0
147426 tn?1317265632
Cogwheel rigidity is characterized by a "ratcheting" movement as the examiner tries to move the limb.  Rigidity is a resistance to movement in both directions, while spasticity has a greater resisance to movement in one direct only and in "velocity-dependent" - more resistance the fast you attempt to move.

Almost all features of movement disorders can be seen in MS.  Patients have bee described with both Parkinson's and MS and I saw that some MS patients have been noted to have some "cogwheel rigidity", but not had PD.  It's not, apparently a really common occurrence, but it has been observed.

Quix
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
IS THIS DR. CONFUSION COGWHEEL RIGIDITY TO SPACTICITY?

ITS GOOD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HOPKINS,YOU PRIMARY MIGHT BE GOOD BUT ITS BETTER TO SEE A NEURO SPECIALIST.

HOPEFULLY YOU'LL GET PROPER ANSWERS AT HOPKINS

T-LYNN
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease