dystonia
Pronunciation: dis-TOH-nee-uh
Neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures and movements.
Full Definition
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent involuntary muscle contractions that result in abnormal postures, repetitive movements, or both. The contractions are often patterned and may be triggered or worsened by voluntary movement or specific tasks. Dystonia can be classified as focal (affecting one body region), segmental (affecting adjacent regions), multifocal (affecting non-adjacent regions), or generalized (affecting multiple regions including legs). Common forms include cervical dystonia (torticollis), blepharospasm, and writer's cramp. The condition may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to other neurological conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Specify anatomical location when possible (e.g., cervical dystonia, not just dystonia).
In Context
- "Cervical dystonia caused painful neck spasms and abnormal head positioning." — Movement disorder clinic evaluation
- "Botulinum toxin injections provided significant relief for focal dystonia symptoms." — Treatment response documentation