Dystonia Care
Expertise in diagnosis, treatment and dystonia recovery
Specialized Dystonia Program
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) neurologists provide expert diagnosis and treatment for dystonia. Specialists in our dedicated Dystonia Program provide compassionate, comprehensive care for this complex disorder.
Our multidisciplinary team will work with you to confirm your diagnosis. We will create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your symptoms. Our goal is to improve your quality of life.
Understanding Dystonia
Dystonia is a muscle disorder that causes uncontrollable muscle contractions. There is no cure for dystonia, so treatment focuses on improving your symptoms and daily functioning.
Types of Dystonia
General dystonia affects all areas of the body. When dystonia is in one area of the body, it’s called focal dystonia. Dystonia can affect many areas throughout the body:
- Eyelids
- Hand and forearm
- Neck
- Jaw or tongue
- Voice box and vocal cords
Symptoms of Dystonia
Signs of this condition vary by body area. They may include these or other symptoms:
- Cramping of the foot
- Functional impairment
- Involuntary turning and pulling of the neck
- Pain
- Speech difficulties
- Strained or raspy voice
- Tremor
- Turning or dragging of the leg and foot
- Uncontrollable blinking
- Walking difficulties
- Worsening handwriting
More About Dystonia Care
Your neurologist will use some combination of these screening tests to diagnose dystonia:
- Physical exam. This includes asking you questions about your symptoms and health history.
- Lab tests. Your doctor may order blood or urine tests to help rule out other health conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
- Imaging tests. Your doctor can use imaging — such as MRI or CT scan — to check your brain for evidence of a stroke or other problems.
- Electromyography (EMG). This test checks the electrical activity of your muscles.
- Genetic tests. Your doctor may want to check to see if you have certain genes that can contribute to dystonia.
Your doctor will create a customized care plan for you based on the results of your diagnostic tests and other factors. Your care plan may include one or more of these treatments:
- Oral (by mouth) medications
- Injectable medications such as botulinum toxin (Botox)
- Speech therapy
Botox Injections for Dystonia
We can use botulinum toxin injections to reduce the excess muscle activity that dystonia causes. The medications can be given with ultrasound guidance or using electromyography (EMG), both methods that may allow more precise delivery of medication. These are specific brands and types of treatment:
- Botox
- Dysport
- Myobloc
- Xeomin
- Daxxify
If you are considering these injections, see a specially trained doctor for your safety. These injections require careful selection of these options:
- Amount of botulinum toxin
- Muscles involved in the dystonia
- Type of toxin
We partner with our highly trained colleagues in Head and Neck Surgery at BIDMC to offer you this treatment.
Clinical Trials
BIDMC is part of the Dystonia Coalition, an international collaboration of medical researchers and patient advocacy groups that are working to find better treatments and a cure for dystonia. Ask your dystonia care team if there’s a current clinical trial that may be right for you.
Meet the Team
Our Dystonia Program specialists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for dystonia.
Advancing Care, Research & Education
Department of Neurology
The Department of Neurology offers exceptional patient care, education opportunities and research programs.
Neurology Research
Our top-tier research programs and laboratories work to advance the knowledge and treatment of neurological disorders.
Neurology Education
Our team offers comprehensive education and training programs for healthcare professionals, including fellowships and residencies.
