HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Severe Muscle Spasms

default
Posted on Sat, 16 Apr 2016
Question: I have been experiencing muscular spasms in my trunk area that make my back and neck twist to one side. I also have spasms in my feet and legs and this makes it difficult to walk. The main movements that I have are slow and then there are times when my head snaps backward uncontrollably. This seems to occur when I sit or change my posture. The neurologist that I saw wrote "Fragments of Torsion Dystonia" on the diagnosis and is referring me to a movement disorders neurologist . What exactly does the diagnosis mean?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Atypical muscle contractions causing posture problem ,treatment is supporti

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!

First of all, it is sad to know about the problems you have been facing lately. Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if his diagnosis is fitting in the best. His referal is based on the fact that not only the diagnosis can be confirmed, but timely and appropriate therapy can be started.

As far as you have asked about the disease, and it's nature, I am sure you must have gone through a lot of literature already at Internet. I won't load you with heavy terms or medical details but to simplify the whole matter, it is basically a genetic condition. In most cases cause is idiopathic meaning that exact pathogenesis or disease process is unknown. However diagnosis is made mostly on basis of history and clinical examination and ruling out other possibilities. Symptoms are more or less the same as you have been experiencing. Our normal body posture and every set of movements we perform is basically coordinated by a set of muscle contractions by a group of muscles and if there synchrony is disturbed like if one group contracts before the other one or fails to contract then it can lead to such issues that you have been facing.

Now comes the basic question "what to do next?". You need to be assured about few things that though this isn't fully treatable but there are many medications and supportive treatments which can significantly decrease the symptoms. These include certain medications which act like muscle relaxants as well as many which act on specific areas to reduce the contractions and may be given as neuro muscular blockers given in the most affected areas through injections like botulinum toxins etc. Other neurological medications like dopamine antagonists are given with many centrally acting drugs like benzodiapzapines.You need doctord prescriptio for these drugs.
Loading you with these names was to tell you briefly about the options which are available and then you can leave it to your primary movement disorder specialist to decide what is best for you from time to time.
Also certain exercises and physiotherapy can help to acquire better control over the movements generated through these muscle groups and lastly surgical options are available to decrease or relieve sustained or painful contractions to balance the posture by producing equilibrium between these muscle groups.

Hope this has answered your query. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Wishing you a speedy recovery. kindly rate the answer before closing and leave a review if possible.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Severe Muscle Spasms

Brief Answer: Atypical muscle contractions causing posture problem ,treatment is supporti Detailed Answer: Hi! Welcome to health care magic! First of all, it is sad to know about the problems you have been facing lately. Based on the history you have shared, it seems as if his diagnosis is fitting in the best. His referal is based on the fact that not only the diagnosis can be confirmed, but timely and appropriate therapy can be started. As far as you have asked about the disease, and it's nature, I am sure you must have gone through a lot of literature already at Internet. I won't load you with heavy terms or medical details but to simplify the whole matter, it is basically a genetic condition. In most cases cause is idiopathic meaning that exact pathogenesis or disease process is unknown. However diagnosis is made mostly on basis of history and clinical examination and ruling out other possibilities. Symptoms are more or less the same as you have been experiencing. Our normal body posture and every set of movements we perform is basically coordinated by a set of muscle contractions by a group of muscles and if there synchrony is disturbed like if one group contracts before the other one or fails to contract then it can lead to such issues that you have been facing. Now comes the basic question "what to do next?". You need to be assured about few things that though this isn't fully treatable but there are many medications and supportive treatments which can significantly decrease the symptoms. These include certain medications which act like muscle relaxants as well as many which act on specific areas to reduce the contractions and may be given as neuro muscular blockers given in the most affected areas through injections like botulinum toxins etc. Other neurological medications like dopamine antagonists are given with many centrally acting drugs like benzodiapzapines.You need doctord prescriptio for these drugs. Loading you with these names was to tell you briefly about the options which are available and then you can leave it to your primary movement disorder specialist to decide what is best for you from time to time. Also certain exercises and physiotherapy can help to acquire better control over the movements generated through these muscle groups and lastly surgical options are available to decrease or relieve sustained or painful contractions to balance the posture by producing equilibrium between these muscle groups. Hope this has answered your query. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Wishing you a speedy recovery. kindly rate the answer before closing and leave a review if possible. Regards.