Focal Dystonia Symptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More

Learn About Focal Dystonia

What is the definition of Focal Dystonia?

Focal dystonia is a disorder of the neurological system that causes muscle contractions in one area of the body, such as the face, vocal cords, neck, jaw, fingers, wrists, hands, or feet. Task-specific focal dystonia is a type of dystonia that causes muscle contractions in areas of the body associated with specific tasks, such as writer’s cramp.

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What are the symptoms of Focal Dystonia?

Symptoms of focal dystonia depend on the affected area. Focal dystonia commonly affects the eyelids, jaw, tongue, neck, vocal cords, hand, or forearm but can occur in other areas. Symptoms of focal dystonia may progress, stay the same or stop, and then recur. The initial symptom of focal dystonia may be reduced muscle coordination, such as dropping things. As focal dystonia progresses, symptoms may include muscle pain, twitching muscles, muscle cramps, and abnormal postures of the affected area. Secondary symptoms of focal dystonia may include fatigue, trouble focusing, blurred vision, mood swings, depression, short temper, and difficulty sleeping.

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What are the current treatments for Focal Dystonia?

Treatment for focal dystonia may include lifestyle changes; physical therapy; occupational therapy; speech therapy; massage; stretches; medications, such as trihexyphenidyl, tetrabenazine, carbidopa/levodopa, clonazepam, valium, Baclofen, benzodiazepines, and Botulinum toxin injection; or surgery, such as deep brain stimulation or selective denervation.

Who are the top Focal Dystonia Local Doctors?

Dr. Joseph Jankovic

Neurology

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Neurology

Baylor McNair - Allergy

7200 Cambridge St,

Houston, TX

Joseph Jankovic is a Neurologist in Houston, Texas. Jankovic has been practicing medicine for over 50 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. He is also highly rated in 36 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Benign Essential Blepharospasm, Torticollis, Parkinson's Disease, and Deep Brain Stimulation. He is licensed to treat patients in Texas. Jankovic is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Alberto J. Espay

Neurology

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Neurology

UC Health

University Of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute

3113 Bellevue Ave,

Cincinnati, OH

Alberto Espay is a Neurologist in Cincinnati, Ohio. Espay has been practicing medicine for over 29 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. He is also highly rated in 62 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Parkinson's Disease, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Focal Dystonia, Torticollis, and Deep Brain Stimulation. He is licensed to treat patients in Ohio. Espay is currently accepting new patients.

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Dr. Allison D. Brashear

Neurology

Elite

Highly rated in

conditions

Neurology

University of California Davis Health

4610 X St,

Sacramento, CA

Allison Brashear is a Neurologist in Sacramento, California. Brashear has been practicing medicine for over 36 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Spasticity, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Focal Dystonia, and Torticollis. She is licensed to treat patients in North Carolina. Brashear is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest Focal Dystonia Clinical Trials?

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for Movement Disorders

Enrollment Status: Recruiting

Publish Date: December 14, 2022

Intervention Type: Procedure

Study Phase: Not Applicable

Background: - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an approved surgery for certain movement disorders, like Parkinson's disease, that do not respond well to other treatments. DBS uses a battery-powered device called a neurostimulator (like a pacemaker) that is placed under the skin in the chest. It is used to stimulate the areas of the brain that affect movement. Stimulating these areas helps to block the nerve si...

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Clinical, Genetic, and Cellular Consequences of Mutations in the NA,K-ATPase ATP1A3

Enrollment Status: Recruiting

Publish Date: December 02, 2022

Summary: The purposes of this study are to identify persons with rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP) or mutations of the RDP gene, document prevalence of the disease, and map its natural history.

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What are the Latest Advances for Focal Dystonia?