Long-term Effects on Bones, Joints, and Muscles

• Dystonia may cause long-term effects in the bones, joints, and muscles affected by the symptoms

• Individuals with cervical dystonia may be at risk for chronic arthritis of the neck with compression of the spinal cord, inflammation or dislocation of discs in the upper spine, pain from pinched nerves, and chronic neck pain with secondary head pain and headache.

• Axial dystonia symptoms (dystonia that affects the midline of the body: back, chest, torso, abdominal muscles) may create inflammation or dislocation of discs in the spine and resulting pain from pinched nerves. Arthritis of the spine may also be present.

• Individuals with dystonia in the legs may develop hip pain and arthritis. Severe dystonia in the legs may cause joint fusion in the ankle and/or a shortening of the muscle called contracture.

• Writer’s cramp may cause shoulder pain and arthritis in the shoulder, wrist, elbow, and hand.

• Dystonia may cause painful inflammation to the muscles caused by the constant twisting and pulling of spasms. This condition is called myofascial pain syndrome.

• The effects of degenerative bone and joint conditions and myofascial pain syndrome may be prevented and treated through medications, non-drug approaches to pain such as gentle massage and/or meditation, physical therapy to preserve range of motion and strengthen weakened muscles, and occupational therapy to address everyday challenges at home, in the workplace, and general mobility.