Dystoniaanddyskinesiaare movement disorders that commonly occur in Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Though both cause uncontrollable muscle movements, they’re different conditions.
Each has its own cause and unique symptoms.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Dystonia is more likely to cause twisting and writhing movements.
Dyskinesia often causes repetitive movements.
However, they share a few symptoms.
Different Conditions
Dystonia and dyskinesia both cause uncontrollable muscle movements.
And both frequently affect people withParkinson’s disease.
However, they’re different conditions arising from different causes.
The damage may be due to a genetic disease, brain injury, brain degeneration, or medication.
The nerves affected by the brain damage stop producingdopamine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle movement.
Connection to Parkinsons disease:Parkinsons disease is due to the same brain damage and progressive loss of dopamine.
As a result, many people with Parkinsons develop dystonia.
Dystonia and Dyskinesia
Dystonia and dyskinesia cause recurrent, abrupt muscle movements.
Or it may manifest primarily in your neck muscles, causing your head to turn painfully to one side.
Your healthcare provider may run blood tests or order diagnostic imaging to rule out other health conditions.
If this applies to you, you’ll need to describe your episodes in as much detail as possible.
You could have another movement problem in addition to your dystonia or dyskinesia.
Treatment
The management approaches used in the treatment of dystonia and dyskinesia are different.
Dystoniais often treated with the same approaches used for PD.
Your healthcare provider may prescribe levodopa or, in severe cases, suggestdeep brain stimulation.
They may also prescribe muscle relaxants, inject Botox, or recommend physical therapy.
Artane (trihexyphenidyl) is ananticholinergicmedication that is commonly used to manage dystonia in PD.
Treatment of dyskinesia is usually more complicated because its management hinges on the very medications used to manage PD.
Adjusting levodopa to improve dyskinesia may worsen PD.
However, physical therapy may help and there are some medication options.
Surgery
Surgery is considered for treating severe dystonia or dyskinesia that doesn’t improve with medication.
During DBS, a surgeon implants electrodes into the targeted brain area.
The electrodes send out an electrical impulse that regulates brain activity.
Surgical treatment requires extensive presurgical testing to ensure that implants will be effective.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Summary
Dystonia and dyskinesia both cause uncontrollable muscle movements.
These movements may be continuous or occasional and commonly occur in people with Parkinson’s disease.
However, they’re not the same condition.
They also have different treatments.
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