Each year, more than 1,000 patients with movement disorders are treated by the experts at UPMC’s Comprehensive Movement Disorders Clinic. While most movement disorders cannot be cured, they often can be effectively treated through medications, lifestyle changes, and surgical interventions that help to reduce symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. The American Parkinson Disease Association has designated UPMC’s Movement Disorders division as a Center for Advanced Research, one of just eight such centers in the U.S.
Our team of neurologists offers highly specialized care, both medical and surgical, that can greatly improve quality of life for patients with movement disorders, including:
Our program is staffed by experts in movement disorders who develop individual treatment plans designed for the specific needs of each patient. Patients may also be invited to participate in clinical trials when appropriate.
For patients with dystonia and other movement disorders, EMG-guided botulinum neurotoxin injections may be provided through the weekly clinic. This treatment has been shown to provide significant symptom relief for many people by relaxing the muscles and reducing muscle contractions.
Patients whose symptoms are not adequately treated through medication may be referred to our neurosurgical team for evaluation for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) or other surgical interventions.
DBS has proven to be an effective treatment for involuntary movements associated with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia, such as tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, and problems with walking and balance. UPMC offers both traditional “awake” DBS and the newer MRI-guided “asleep” DBS, using the ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System.