Testing for sensory ataxia typically involves a combination of physical and neurological testing. During physical testing, a doctor will observe a patient's movements and ask them to perform certain activities, such as bouncing a ball, standing on one leg, or walking in a straight line. These activities test the patient's balance and ability to coordinate movements.
In neurological testing, a doctor may use a tuning fork to test the patient's proprioception, which is the ability to sense where their body is in space. They may also test the patient's vibration sense, which is the ability to sense vibrations in the body.
In addition, doctors may use MRI and CT scans to detect any underlying structural issues that may be causing ataxia. These scans can help to identify lesions in the brain or spinal cord, or any other irregularities that could be contributing to the ataxia.
Finally, nerve conduction tests may be used to test the electrical activity of the nerves and muscles. By performing tests on the arms and legs, the doctor can determine if there are any issues with nerve conduction that could be impacting the patient's sensory ataxia.