About Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder affecting as many as 250,000 people in the United States.¹ Primarily a hereditary condition, dystonia can cause severe involuntary muscle contractions that may interfere with your everyday life. A Medtronic therapy may be able to help.

Definition and Symptoms

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. These contractions force certain parts of the body into repetitive, twisting movements or painful postures. Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder in the United States, following essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease.¹ 

Approximately 250,000 adults and children in the United States suffer from the movement disorder known as dystonia.¹ These individuals often suffer from abnormal involuntary muscle contractions that may interfere often with everyday functions like walking, sleeping, eating, and talking.

Types of Dystonia

There are two types of dystonia:

• Primary dystonia – a condition in which dystonia is the only symptom (no other pathology)
• Secondary dystonia – the result of another health condition such as stroke or infections. It may also result from an injury, such as trauma to the brain.

Additionally, there are various classifications of dystonia characterized by the affected part of the body:

• Focal dystonia (including cervical) affects one area of the body
• Segmental dystonia affects two or more nearby areas of the body
• Generalized dystonia affects the entire body

Causes

Although the causes of dystonia are unclear, primary dystonia is mainly hereditary. Generalized dystonia is considered the most difficult form of dystonia to live with and to treat.

References

1. What is Dystonia? Available at: www.neurosurgerytoday.org. Accessed April 15, 2008.

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