drifting

Last reviewed 01/2018

Drifting is the movement of one or both arms from an initially neutral position. It is the result of upper motor neurone, pyramidal lesions.

The patient is asked to hold both arms fully extended in front of them at shoulder level, with the palms facing upwards.

There are three causes of the weakness causing drifting:

  • pronator drift
  • cerebellar disease
  • posterior column loss