Dystonia meaning and treatment

Dystonia is a condition that causes sustained muscle contractions, resulting in painful twisting, repetitive movements, and abnormal postures. It can affect a specific area of the body or be widespread, involving multiple muscle groups. These contractions may interfere with everyday activities.

A distinction is made between primary and secondary dystonia. Primary dystonia, which can be inherited, may also occur without any identifiable cause, in which case it is referred to as idiopathic dystonia. Secondary dystonias are due to an external cause, such as an injury, or as a side effect of certain medications. They can also accompany other neurological diseases, like Parkinson's disease.

Dystonia can be categorized into different forms, depending on the affected body parts:

The cause of Dystonia is unknown. Dystonia seems to be related to a problem in the basal ganglia. That’s the area of the brain that is responsible for initiating muscle contractions. Movements are often repetitive and cause unusual, awkward and sometimes painful postures. The problem involves the way the nerve cells communicate.

Dystonia affects different people in varying ways. The symptoms can range from mild to severe affecting different body parts that cause muscle spasms and contractions. The spasms and contractions may either be sustained or may come and go.

Dystonia can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary Dystonia is inherited, whilst secondary Dystonia is caused by external factors.

Treatment will vary, depending on the type of Dystonia you have and the precise nature of your symptoms. Often there will be a multi-disciplinary approach for your treatment, involving neurologists, specialist nurses, physiotherapists and speech therapists.

There are varying types of medicine you may be prescribed. The main options are drug therapy, injections of botulinum toxin, surgery, physical therapy or alternative treatments. Some of those options can also be combined.¹

You will work with your movement disorder specialist team to find the best solution for you.

This is a possible treatment that could be prescribed by a specialist team for some Dystonia patients.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a type of brain surgery that is used to treat dystonia.

Deep Brain Stimulation is a surgical procedure designed to help control motor symptoms while allowing for a reduction in medication. DBS uses a device similar in size and shape to a cardiac pacemaker. It sends signals to your brain to help control the symptoms of movement disorders. Your surgeon will place one or two wires called ‘leads’ in the brain.

The leads are then connected to the stimulator and the stimulator is placed under the skin in the chest. When the stimulator is turned on, it produces mild electrical impulses that stimulate a specific target within the brain.

The stimulation may help regulate the incorrect signalling in the brain, improving some of the symptoms of movement disorders. For many people, daily activities which had been impossible to perform previously could become feasible again.

To be accepted for DBS surgery, your specialist team will advise you to be aerobically fit as you can be.

There are ongoing studies and funding to support the treatment for Dystonia. Keep up to date with all the research and resources going on to support the cure for Dystonia here.