Dystonia

My feet showing cramping and curling of toes, feet turning inward

Have you ever experienced a painful cramped foot or curled, clenched toes as part of life with Parkinson's? These symptoms can often be a tell-tale sign of dystonia — sustained and often painful muscle twisting, spasms and cramps. Dystonia can be an early symptom of PD, or it can develop later, as a side effect of levodopa.

    People with Parkinson’s commonly experience dystonia as a cramp in the foot that causes the toes to curl and stay clenched. In fact, in some people, a foot dystonia induced by walking or running may be one of the very first signs of the illness.

More commonly people who are being treated for PD complain of painful dystonia of the foot on the more severely affected side. This painful cramp usually goes away after the first dose of PD medications. Less commonly in treated patients, dystonia can affect other body parts and come and go throughout the day.

Dystonia can affect other parts of the body too. It causes forceful twisting movements that, for example, can draw a person’s arm behind their back, or pull the head to the side or toward the chest. These movements are different from the flowing, writhing movements of dyskinesia, which are not painful.

Although people with PD sometimes have dystonia, it also is its own movement disorder — people can have dystonia without having PD. Whether dystonia is part of PD or not, it is caused by changes in an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, and is often treated with the same medications.

Pain from dystonia may be the most severe pain experienced by people with 

PD. Both pain and cramped postures affect a person’s quality of life. To cope

with dystonia:

Learn about dystonia and treatment options, and work with your doctor to find 

the best treatment for you.

      Connect with others who are living with PD and dystonia through support groups, online groups and organizations like PDF.

     If needed, seek help for depression and anxiety, which are common and debilitating PD symptoms, and can be exacerbated by pain.

         Find ways to pursue activities that you enjoy, and to plan and pace yourself for  social, physical and creative activities.

     Treat your body well by getting enough sleep and exercise, and by eating nutritious meals.

http://www.pdf.org/dystonia