Focal Dystonia
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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?
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Referral may be required

Baylor College Of Medicine Medical Center

7200 Cambridge St., Ste 9A, 
Houston, TX 
713-798-2273
Languages Spoken:
English
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Joseph Jankovic is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Jankovic is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Benign Essential Blepharospasm, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Movement Disorders, Torticollis, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Jankovic is currently accepting new patients.

Elite in Focal Dystonia
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Referral may be required

University Of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute

3113 Bellevue Ave, 
Cincinnati, OH 
513-475-8730
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish
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Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Alberto Espay is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Espay is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. He is also highly rated in 81 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Focal Dystonia, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Espay is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in Focal Dystonia
Elite in Focal Dystonia
Referral may be required

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

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

Hubert Fernandez is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Fernandez is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. He is also highly rated in 44 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Movement Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Gastric Bypass. Dr. Fernandez is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2009. Dr. Fernandez is currently accepting new patients.

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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: September 08, 2026
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, Corabotase (also known as 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 ...

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Effectiveness of Repositioning, Physical Therapy, and Cranial Remolding in Infants With Cranial Deformation
Effectiveness of Repositioning, Physical Therapy, and Cranial Remolding in Infants With Cranial Deformation
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: August 31, 2026
Intervention Type: Other, Device
Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: This study will examine how effective caregiver's repositioning strategies are in correcting an infant's deformational cranial shape, as well as the effectiveness of the use of a custom cranial remolding orthosis for treatment of deformational head shapes. Infants with torticollis will be concurrently enrolled in physical therapy treatment until the torticollis is resolved. A normal, unaffected po...

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