What is dyskinesia?

• It is a rapid, involuntary, uncontrollable movement seen in people suffering from Parkinson disease.
• Often it presents as a twisting, writhing, limb flailing movement.
• Dyskinesia can be localised to one body part such as legs or arms but can also affect the torso, head and neck. It usually starts on the side worse affected by Parkinson disease.

What causes dyskinesia?

• Dyskinesia can be the side-effect of the long-term use of levodopa.
• Dyskinesia occurs when the level of levodopa in the body is at its maximum (peak dyskinesia) or when the levels of levodopa are either rising or falling (diphasic dyskinesia).