Focal dystonia (FD) is a movement problem that happens in one part of the body. A person may have unusual movements, twitches, and tics. It may happen all the time or off and on. The most common types are:
In most people, the cause is not known. In others, it may be due to genes.
FD can also be caused by a health problem or injury, such as:
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FD is more common in people who have family members who have it.
It is also more common in people who have a health problem or injury that raises the risk.
Problems may be:
FD may get worse with:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. You may be sent to see a doctor who treats the nervous system. A neurologic exam may be done.
There are no tests to confirm FD. These tests may be done to rule out other problems:
The electrical activity of the muscles, nerves, and brain may need to be measured. This can be done with:
Pictures may be taken of the head. This can be done with:
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The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms. Options are:
The doctor may give one or more medicines:
Injecting botulinum toxin into a muscle can weaken the muscle. The effect may last for 3 to 4 months.
Surgery may be done to:
There are no known guidelines to prevent this health problem.
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
https://www.dystonia-foundation.org
International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
http://www.movementdisorders.org
Canadian Movement Disorder Group
http://www.cmdg.org
Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca
Albanese A, Bhatia K, et al. Phenomenology and classification of dystonia: a consensus update. Mov Disord. 2013 Jun 15;28(7):863-873.
Carrechio M, Mencacci NE. Emerging monogenic complex hyperkinetic disorders. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2017;17(12):97.
Cervical dystonia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/cervical-dystonia. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Dystonia. The Canadian Movement Disorder Group website. Available at: http://www.cmdg.org/Movement_/dystonia/dystonia.htm. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Dystonia. International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society website. Available at: http://www.movementdisorders.org/MDS/About/Movement-Disorder-Overviews/Dystonia.htm. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Dystonias information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Dystonias-Fact-Sheet. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Meige Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Available at: http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/meige-syndrome. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Newby RE, Thorpe DE, et al. A history of dystonia: ancient to modern. Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2017;4(4):478-485.
What is dystonia? Dystonia Medical Research Foundation website. Available at: https://www.dystonia-foundation.org/what-is-dystonia. Accessed October 22, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD Last Updated: 5/18/2021
