Focal Dystonia Overview

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Learn About Focal Dystonia

View Main Condition: Movement Disorders

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.
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?
Hubert H. Fernandez
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Hubert H. Fernandez
Neurology
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Hubert H. Fernandez
Neurology

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

9500 Euclid Avenue, 
Cleveland, OH 
216-444-2200
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Hubert Fernandez is a Neurologist in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Fernandez is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. His top areas of expertise are Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Gastric Bypass. Dr. Fernandez is currently accepting new patients.

Hyder A. Jinnah
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Hyder A. Jinnah
Neurology
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Hyder A. Jinnah
Neurology

Emory Brain Health Center

12 Executive Park Drive Northeast, 
Atlanta, GA 
404-778-3444
Experience:
32+ years
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Offers Telehealth

Hyder Jinnah is a Neurologist in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Jinnah has been practicing medicine for over 32 years and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. His top areas of expertise are Benign Essential Blepharospasm, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Focal Dystonia, Torticollis, and Deep Brain Stimulation.

 
 
 
 
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Taylor A. Finseth
Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Taylor A. Finseth
Neurology
Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Taylor A. Finseth
Neurology

Aurora Neuroscience Innovation

2801 W Kinnickinnic River Pkwy, Ste 550, 
Milwaukee, WI 
414-385-8780
Languages Spoken:
English
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Offers Telehealth

Taylor Finseth is a Neurologist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Finseth is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. His top areas of expertise are Camptocormism, Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, and Conversion Disorder.

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What are the latest Focal Dystonia Clinical Trials?
A Phase II, Multicentre, Randomised, Double-blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of IPN10200 as a Treatment for Cervical Dystonia in Adult Participants
A Phase II, Multicentre, Randomised, Double-blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of IPN10200 as a Treatment for Cervical Dystonia in Adult Participants
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 01, 2025
Intervention Type: Other, Biological
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the study drug, IPN10200, and to assess how well it works when compared with placebo in treating Cervical Dystonia (CD) in adults. CD can cause a series of abnormalities and symptoms in the head and neck that can lead to neck pain and stiffness, and headaches. CD is believed to involve deep parts within the brain that control move...

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An Observational Study of Individuals With Isolated Dystonia
An Observational Study of Individuals With Isolated Dystonia
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: September 30, 2025

Summary: This is an observational study in individuals with isolated (or primary) dystonia that involves more than one body region. The purpose of the study is to collect detailed information to help your physician and other researchers understand how dystonia impacts your and other patients' lives and how the disease changes over time. The study may also help researchers better understand the clinical sca...

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