Dystonia is the name for uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements (spasms). It's usually a lifelong problem, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms. Dystonia can affect your whole body or just 1 part. It can start at any age. Symptoms of dystonia include: The symptoms may be continuous or come and go. They may be triggered by things like stress or certain activities. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
Dystonia is uncommon, but it's best to get the symptoms checked out. How dystonia is diagnosedIf your GP thinks you could have dystonia, they may refer you to a specialist called a neurologist for tests. To diagnose dystonia, a neurologist may:
If you're diagnosed with dystonia, your neurologist can tell you which type you have and what your treatment options are. Main types of dystoniaMain types of dystonia and areas affected
Read more on the different types of dystonia from Dystonia UK Treatments for dystoniaTreatment can help relieve the symptoms of dystonia. The best option for you depends on the type of dystonia you have. The main treatments for dystonia are:
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy may also help. Surgery for dystoniaDeep brain stimulation is the main type of surgery for dystonia. It may be offered on the NHS if other treatments do not help. It involves inserting a small device, similar to a pacemaker, under the skin of your chest or tummy. The device sends electrical signals along wires placed in the part of the brain that controls movement. Read more on deep brain stimulation from Dystonia UK Living with dystoniaDystonia affects people in different ways. The severity of symptoms can vary from one day to another. It can have a big effect on your life and make daily activities painful and difficult. It's usually a lifelong condition. It may get worse for a few years but then remain steady. Occasionally, it can improve over time. Information: You can get support if you live with dystonia from Dystonia UK. Causes of dystoniaDystonia is thought to be caused by a problem with the part of the brain that controls movement. Often the cause is unknown. Sometimes it can be due to:
Page last reviewed: 01 March 2021 A broken bone must be carefully stabilized and supported until it is strong enough to handle the body's weight and movement. Until the last century, physicians relied on casts and splints to support and stabilize the bone from outside the body. The advent of sterile surgical procedures reduced the risk of infection, allowing doctors to internally set and stabilize fractured bones. During a surgical procedure to set a fracture, the bone fragments are first
repositioned (reduced) into their normal alignment. They are held together with special implants, such as plates, screws, nails and wires. Internal fixation allows shorter hospital stays, enables patients to return to function earlier, and reduces the incidence of nonunion (improper healing) and malunion (healing in improper position) of broken bones. The implants used for internal fixation are made from stainless steel and titanium, which are durable and strong. If a joint is to be
replaced, rather than fixed, these implants can also be made of cobalt and chrome. Implants are compatible with the body and rarely cause an allergic reaction. Plates are like internal splints that hold the broken pieces of bone together. They are attached to the bone with screws. Plates may be left in place after healing is complete, or they may be removed (in select cases). Screws are used for internal fixation more often than any other type of implant. Although the screw is a simple device, there are different designs based on the type of fracture and how the screw will be used. Screws come in different sizes for use with bones of different sizes. Screws can be used alone to hold a fracture, as well as with plates, rods, or nails. After the bone heals, screws may be either left in place or removed. In some fractures of the long bones the best way to hold the bone pieces together is by inserting a rod or nail through the hollow center of the bone that normally contains some marrow. Screws at each end of the rod are used to keep the fracture from shortening or rotating, and also hold the rod in place until the fracture has healed. Rods and screws may be left in the bone after healing is complete. This is the method used to treat the majority of fractures in the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). Wires are often used to pin the bones back together. They are often used to hold together pieces of bone that are too small to be fixed with screws. In many cases, they are used in conjunction with other forms of internal fixation, but they can be used alone to treat fractures of small bones, such as those found in the hand or foot. Wires are usually removed after a certain amount of time, but may be left in permanently for some fractures. An external fixator acts as a stabilizing frame to hold the broken bones in proper position. In an external fixator, metal pins or screws are placed into the bone through small incisions into the skin and muscle. The pins and screws are attached to a bar outside the skin. Because pins are inserted into bone, external fixators differ from casts and splints which rely solely on external support. In many cases, external fixation is used as a temporary treatment for fractures. Because they are easily applied, external fixators are often put on when a patient has multiple injuries and is not yet ready for a longer surgery to fix the fracture. An external fixator provides good, temporary stability until the patient is healthy enough for the final surgery. Other times, an external fixator can be used as the device to stabilize the bone until healing is complete. There may be some inflammation or, less commonly, infection associated with the use of external fixators. This is typically managed with wound care and/or oral antibiotics. Sterile conditions and advances in surgical techniques reduce, but do not remove, the risk of infection when internal fixation is used. The severity of the fracture, its location, and the medical status of the patient must all be considered. In addition, no technique is foolproof. The fracture may not heal properly or the plate or rod may break or deform. Although some media attention has focused on the possibility that cancer could develop near a long-term implant, there is little evidence documenting an actual cancer risk and much evidence against that possibility. Orthopaedic surgeons are continuing their research to develop improved methods for treating fractures. What assistive device can be used to help patients shave?A long handled razor holder assists a person so they can shave their legs if they have a hard time reaching down.
Which assistive device provides patients with the most stability and support?Walkers provide great stability due to their wide base, so they are great for people who can bear weight on their feet but have trouble walking due to weakness of the legs or balance issues.
What helps patients attain and maintain control over the voiding of urine?Your pelvic floor muscles and urinary sphincter help control urination. You can strengthen these muscles by regularly doing pelvic floor exercises, commonly referred to as Kegels. The pelvic floor muscles open and close the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside your body (urethra).
When using assistive devices to ambulate on which leg should patients bear weight?Step forward with the injured or weak leg first, taking weight through one's hands. Then step with the stronger leg. Do not step forward if all four feet of the walker are not in contact with the floor.
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Is a device that is applied externally to a body part to support or control movement?
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