Living with a movement disorder can be daunting, affecting every facet of one’s life. Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia can significantly diminish your quality of life, causing stiffness and involuntary movements. Amidst this challenge, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) emerges as a beacon of hope. DBS is an option for treating movement disorders, […]
Experiencing muscle spasms can significantly disrupt your daily life. Thankfully, there are various treatments to offer relief, such as Botox®, Myobloc®, and Dysport®. While often associated with cosmetic applications, these injectables have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in addressing muscle spasms. They stand as trustworthy allies in combating the pain and distress associated with this condition, extending […]
When you hear the word Botox® we know what you’re thinking. In the public consciousness, Botox® has always been about cosmetic uses. Starting in the early 2000s, it was the way that people in Hollywood were smoothing out their wrinkles, and it was used in constant jokes on sitcoms and late-night talk shows. But as […]
Neurosurgeon Dr. Anant Patel, who is affiliated with St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, and Neurology Solutions Movement Disorders Center Medical Director Dr. Robert Izor are at the forefront of a less invasive, more precise Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implant procedure. The new surgical technique streamlines the process for undergoing DBS surgery—requiring one less procedure and five fewer incisions.
The new DBS implant technique uses the latest imaging and surgical programming equipment and eliminates the need for placement of bone marker screws prior to DBS surgery.
Therapeutic botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as Botox therapy, has been used to treat neuromuscular disorders for over 30 years. Botox® injections can be used effectively to relax excessive muscle contraction in individuals with movement disorders. Botox is a mainstay treatment of dystonia.
Neurology Solutions Medical Director Dr. Robert Izor has participated in more than 200 Medtronic deep brain stimulation procedures since 2004 with St. David’s Medical Center Neurosurgeon Anant Patel. Using high resolution advanced imaging technology, Dr. Izor and Dr. Patel have been able to precisely target specific areas of the brain signaling motor symptoms, allowing for excellent DBS response and no side effects. This article will lay out the most common risks and results of deep brain stimulation surgery as well as explain why “awake DBS” is the gold standard for optimal precision.
Deep brain stimulation surgery is generally considered when quality of life is no longer acceptable and medicine no longer addresses symptoms of disorders such as Parkinson’s, essential tremor and dystonia effectively. Research indicates that deep brain stimulation’s benefits may be just as promising for people in the earlier stages of Parkinson’s, and individuals at minimal risk who can get benefit from the treatment should consider this option. Read on to find out if you are a candidate for DBS.
Medtronic has scheduled a series of lunch and learns for implanted and new patients considering Deep Brain Stimulation implant surgery in Austin. The Lunch and Learns include “Battery Longevity Clinic” for implanted patients and “Behind the Surgical Curtain” for new patients.
Phyllis Spivey of Austin noticed an odd thing when she would lie down to sleep: when she put her head on the pillow, it would pull to the right. About a year and a half after she first noticed the tugging motion in her neck–and several months after first complaining of it to her doctor–she was referred to a neurologist who quickly diagnosed her with dystonia. She has been living with dystonia the past 18 years.
Dystonia is a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive twisting and sustained muscle contractions. Dystonia treatment is highly specialized and is best managed by a neurologist with special training in movement disorders.
