YOUR HEALTH: Long term relief for Dystonia sufferers

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Ivanhoe Newswire) – People with a disorder called dystonia experience involuntary muscle contractions, causing painful contortions and limiting movement. Surgeons have a simple solution to cut down on surgeries.

Dystonia is similar to Parkinson’s tremor but also causes uncontrollable muscle movement and patient contortion. Dr. Okeanis Vaou is a neurologist and movement disorders specialist at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio; she sees many patients with this condition.

“Her neck was looking down and constantly flexed, and she could, really—she had to struggle to lift up her chin. She’s tried everything—she’s tried botulin toxin injections, medications…,” Dr. Vaou described.

But now, doctors have implanted a new 15-year “super” battery in a deep stimulation device.

“The surgeon will drill a very small hole, and they will be passing an electrode, a very thin electrode, down deep into the brain,” added Dr. Vaou.

The device records and transmits real-time information.

“The technology that we were one of the first ones to use is the recharging battery of this sensing device. We can now use a higher stimulation without worrying that the battery is going to drain. About 80 percent of her life has improved. She can now eat, she can look up. People can look into her eyes, and that was not the case before,” Dr. Vaou explained.

This powerful new battery means 15 years between surgeries, rather than the current three to five years, and that is a huge benefit for the patient.

About a quarter of a million people in the U.S. have dystonia, but many struggle to get an exact diagnosis. The National Institute of Health recommends seeing a neurologist if you have unexplained movement problems.

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