How to Use Botox to Treat Cervical Dystonia

Cervical dystonia, also called wry neck or spasmodic torticollis, is a condition in which the neck muscles contract and cause abnormal neck and head movements and/or sustained postures. The causes of cervical dystonia are not usually known, but onset is usually between 20 and 60 years of age, and the condition affects twice as many women as men. In 2000, Botox was approved by the FDA for use in treating cervical dystonia.

Things You'll Need

• Medical practitioner

Instructions

1. Find a doctor with experience treating cervical dystonia with Botox. Neurologists are typically the most qualified to treat cervical dystonia, but other doctors, including general surgeons, may have experience with the condition and Botox therapy as well. Your primary care physician should be able to recommend a physician to treat you.

2. Get a proper diagnosis of cervical dystonia from a doctor who specializes in treating the disorder. Cervical dystonia can be confused with other conditions including radicular processes and ophthalmologic disorders, and it's necessary to rule out these conditions before proceeding towards treatment.

3. Submit to a thorough examination of your neck by your doctor before Botox injections. Identifying the muscles involved in the abnormal postures and movements is a key component to this therapy, and doing so requires examination in a variety of positions and activities.

4. Undergo an electromyogram (EMG) to test nerve function. Physicians use EMGs to allow them to isolate the appropriate muscles so they know where to inject the Botox.

5. Get the Botox injection procedure. Typically two to six muscles are injected to treat cervical dystonia. Injections may be made at multiple points along the muscle to provide sufficient muscle relaxation. Pain from the injections is usually no more than from a typical shot and the doctor may use a local numbing agent to anesthetize the skin.

6. Repeat the procedure every 3 to 4 months or as directed. Botox therapy is only temporary because Botox does not remain in your system very long.

Tips & Warnings

• Resting and sleep can usually improve symptoms of cervical dystonia, so try to get as much rest as you can and avoid stressful situations.

• If you experience a sudden remission of symptoms, you may not actually be cured. Remissions are common and relapse of symptoms is all but certain for most patients, though not entirely predictable.

• Full results are not usually observed for 7 days.

• Side effects include neck weakness, dysphagia and localized pain. The side effects are only temporary and usually resolve themselves shortly after they appear.