Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes muscles to contract involuntarily. This condition can result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Dystonia can affect any muscle in the body, but most commonly affects the arms and legs. Dystonia can be seen in children who have cerebral palsy as well as certain genetic disorders and can significantly impact function.
The cause of dystonia is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a problem in the motor pathways. There is no cure for dystonia, but there are treatments that can help reduce it. These treatments include medications, therapy, and surgery.
In general, the earlier treatment begins, the better chance children have of overcoming impairments or learning new ways to accomplish the tasks that challenge them. There is no standard therapy that works for every child. Our team will work with a child and their parents to identify specific impairments and needs and then develop an appropriate plan to tackle the core issues and goals for the family and child.