The first-ever World Movement Disorders Day is on November 29, 2022. "Movement Disorders Are Treatable" -M.A.Aleem Neurologist ABC Hospital Trichy Tamilnadu India

The first-ever World Movement Disorders Day is on November 29, 2022.

Movement Disorders Are Treatable 

- M.A.Aleem Neurologist 

   ABC Hospital Trichy Tamilnadu India 

Movement disorders are some of the most complex diseases to treat, diagnose and understand. In order to increase global awareness of this sub-specialty among healthcare professionals and the general population, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) is launching the first World Movement Disorders Day on November 29, 2022.

Movement disorders are complex neurological disorders   with many misconceptions about them. Because of many misconceptions , people with these disorders get delayed medical treatment.

By increasing awareness of these difficult-to-diagnose diseases, it will be possible for more people to connect with professionals who have the specialized knowledge to provide proper diagnosis and management in time.

 

Among various neurological disorders, the subspeciality of Movement Disorders has been rapidly growing over the years both in relation to understanding of various diseases and therapeutic advances.

Movement disorder (MD)  implies abnormal movement or paucity of movement either voluntary or automatic which is not attributable to weakness or spasticity or any other medical causes directly interfering musculoskeletal system, such as, advanced rheumatoid arthritis or slowing of medical condition like hypothyroidism. 

It has been broadly subdivided into two types: Hypokinetic and hyperkinetic Movement Disorders.

 

The hypokinetic disorders are Parkinson's disease (PD) and Parkinsonism plus syndromes.

The hyperkinetic types are dystonia, chorea, ballism, athetosis, tics, tremor, myoclonus and stereotypes. 

Movement Disorders constitutes 3-8% of neurological disorders in India with a crude prevalence rate (CPR) varying from 31 to 45/100,000 above 60 years of age and they are more frequent in urban and rural India. 

Hospital based study has shown that MDs account for 20% of all neurological diseases. 

At Trichy,   in my patients with neurological disorders around 15% of the patients are with movement disorders. 

In the children chorea and tics are more common in our region

Among elderly Parkinson diseases are more frequent 

In our Trichy region.

In adolescents and middle aged group, functional movement disorders and tremors are more come in our area.

In the recent smart phone era, task specific dystonia dyskinesia are frequently noticed in adolescents and in adults.

Movement disorders can result from many types of brain injury, such as head trauma, infection, inflammation, metabolic disturbances, toxins, or unintended side effects of medications. They can also be a symptom of other, underlying diseases or conditions, including genetic disorders and aging .

In the treatment of movement disorders, considerable therapeutic advances have been achieved seeking a more efficacious and durable therapeutic effect. 

Treatment of movement disorders varies from person to person, depending on the type of disorder and the underlying cause. Some  with movement disorders may only need observation. In children , many movement disorders improve as they develop.

When treatment is necessary, options it may include:

Oral medications to relax muscles and ease stiffness, tremors, and spasms

Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) for dystonia that affects a single body part, and sometimes for tic disorders and myoclonus

Dopamine (levodopa) for parkinsonism

An implanted baclofen pump can be helpful for dystonia mixed with spasticity that does not get better with oral medications

Deep brain stimulation is a treatment for primary dystonia that does not respond to medications

Patients with movement disorder may also benefit from:

Physical therapy to strengthen or stretch the affected limbs and muscles

Occupational therapy to help overcome any limitations caused by abnormal movements

Support to help the family and child cope with ongoing symptoms of movement disorders

Neuropsychiatric testing, when the movement disorder is accompanied by cognitive or behavioral problems

Movement disorders constitute a major burden among the neurological disorders. Awareness about these disorders is important to get early treatment and it's benefit.