Dystonia
Lisa M. Shulman, MD, works with a movement disorder patient at UMMC.
Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle movements. It makes the muscles contract and move into abnormal and sometimes painful positions, often in repetitive or twisting movements.
Getting Help for Dystonia at UMMC
The movement disorder specialists at University of Maryland Medical Center are experienced in helping people manage dystonia symptoms and creating a treatment program that works best for everyone’s individual situation.
If you’re having trouble with dystonia-like symptoms or already have a diagnosis, call us at 410-328-4323 for an appointment.
Our researchers conduct clinical research trials related to movement disorders like dystonia. Find out more about our current research projects and clinical trials.
Types of Dystonia
The different types of dystonia are defined by how much of your body is affected:
- Focal dystonia – this affects only one area of the body
- Multifocal dystonia – affects at least two different body parts
- Segmental dystonia – this affects two or more areas of the body that are close to each other
- Hemidystonia – affects a leg and arm on one side of the body
- General dystonia – this affects your whole body
Dystonia Symptoms
Dystonia symptoms, like most disorders, are different for each person, and depend on what type you have. They can be more severe and frequent for some. They often start slowly, one symptom at a time, and can start at any age.
The primary dystonia symptom is muscle spasms. The muscle spasms associated with dystonia may:
- Worsen with anxiety, stress or fatigue
- Occur when you’re doing a specific action, like writing
- Occur in a single area of the body, like the arm, leg or neck
- Progress to more severe over time
Muscle spasms may occur throughout the body. Common areas affected include eyelids, forearm and hand, neck, tongue and jaw, voice box and vocal cords.
How Is Dystonia Diagnosed?
You’ll visit a neurologist to diagnose dystonia. You’ll get a complete physical exam, including questions about your health history and dystonia-related symptoms. The specialist may order testing to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms, or to identify the underlying cause of your dystonia.
These tests may include electromyogram (EMG), genetic testing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urine or blood tests.
How to Treat Dystonia
There is no cure for dystonia. Your doctor will focus on controlling the symptoms and alleviating pain as much as possible.
Your specialist may prescribe medications, or suggest ways to ease the symptoms, like Botox injections or massage. You may attend physical, occupational, or speech therapy to improve your quality of life while living with dystonia.
If you have severe dystonia that does not respond well to medicine, your specialist may recommend surgery to regulate the nerves or brain areas that are causing your symptoms. Procedures such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help control muscle movements.
Make an Appointment
If you or a loved one has dystonia, call us at 410-328-4323 to make an appointment with one of our specialists.