Dystonia

Dystonia is a rare neurologic disorder in which there are unwanted or involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive abnormal movements. These movements can affect individual muscles or entire muscle groups. Example movements include unusual postures of the limbs, turning of the head and neck to one side, facial grimacing or spasms, and cramping in the hands or feet. Dystonic movements can be painful and may interfere with daily activities and function. They may also cause stress and social anxiety.

There are many types of dystonia. Certain forms of dystonia are genetic, meaning that they are the result of DNA mutations. Dystonia can also result from an injury or illness of the nervous system. Causes include drug or toxin exposure, traumatic brain injury, infection, and stroke. Some patients with Parkinson's disease may develop dystonia involving the foot, ankle, or lower leg. Many cases of dystonia, however, have no recognizable cause. Even when there is no obvious cause, dystonia can still be treated.

Treatment for dystonia begins with medications such as baclofen and benzodiazepines that work by helping to relax muscles. Botulinum toxin (botox) is another common dystonia medication that is given by injection to target the specific muscles responsible for dystonic movements. For patients with severe symptoms despite medications and botox, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an option. DBS uses targeted pulses of electricity to interrupt the abnormal brain rhythms associated with dystonic movements, and it is often very effective. Click here to learn more about DBS. You can also review my DBS guide for patients.

If you live near Denver and have dystonia, please consider meeting me in consultation to learn about treatment options.