What are movement disorders?
Movement disorders are neurological conditions that impact your motor nerves. Some are genetic, while others develop over time because of infections, injuries, toxins, or brain damage. While the symptoms of most movement disorders are very similar to each other, each diagnosis requires individualized treatment to either cure the condition or manage symptoms.
Common symptoms of movement disorders include:
- Imbalance
- Instability
- Tremor
- Lack of coordination
- Frequent falls
- Jerky or spastic movements
The experts at Knight Neurology perform a comprehensive evaluation and may use tests to evaluate your condition, such as nerve conduction studies or electromyography.
What are some common movement disorders?
Knight Neurology specializes in managing many movement disorders ranging from the most common to quite rare. The experts welcome you in for evaluations and treatment for:
Parkinson’s disease
Knight Neurology has a high volume of patients with Parkinson’s disease. It’s a condition that causes slow movements, tremors, and trouble walking, and it can get worse with time.
Ataxia
Ataxia is a loss of muscle coordination resulting from degeneration that affects the brainstem and spinal cord.
Dystonia
Dystonia is a muscle disorder causing involuntary spasms from the basal ganglia, a part of the brain controlling muscle movements.
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder causing involuntary movements and vocal sounds, which are called tics.
Many other movement disorders cause similar symptoms, including Huntington’s disease, Wilson’s disease, and essential tremor.
What are my treatment options for a movement disorder?
Treating a movement disorder requires individualized expert care from the experienced providers at Knight Neurology. They often manage these disorders with multiple approaches in a conservative, comprehensive treatment plan. Your treatment may involve:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Drug therapies for specific symptoms
- Deep brain stimulation
The experts at Knight Neurology can manage movement disorders with deep brain stimulators — devices with implanted electrodes that regulate abnormal impulses in the brain. You may need to have your stimulator on at all times or turn it off at night. Your providers teach you to control the device and tell you how often to come in for maintenance.
To learn more about movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease and others, call Knight Neurology or book an appointment online today.
