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CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS
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Acquired torticollis
Adult torticollis
Anterocollis
Dystonia
Focal dystonia
Laterocollis
Retrocollis
Spasmodic torticollis
Torticollis
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PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN
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4E: Impaired Joint Mobility, Motor Function, Muscle Performance, and ROM Associated with Localized Inflammation
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PATIENT PRESENTATION
Patient is a 66-year-old woman who has complaints over the last 2 years of neck pain and a pulling to the right side. Over the last year, she has had head tremors. She has tried Botox injections, which gave her temporary relief. Her friend gave her a cervical collar to wear and feels that if she does not wear it her head falls to the side. Past medical history: Severe whiplash injury 3 years ago due to a car accident.
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Dystonia is a condition characterized by involuntary intermittent or prolonged muscular contractions (e.g., twisting, jerky, or repetitive movements) that may cause abnormal postures and movements.
Dystonia may be generalized or focal.
Cervical dystonia (CD) is the most common focal dystonia.
CD is commonly referred to as spasmodic torticollis, which may be misleading.
Spasmodic describes movements that are intermittent or clonic and tremulous, though some patients with CD present with prolonged contractions.
Torticollis implies rotary impairment, though patients with CD often present with combined postures associated with flexion, extension, and side-bending.
Further classification may be based on the head position or movement.1
Forward tilt is called anterocollis.
Backward tilt is called retrocollis.
Left or right tilt is called laterocollis.
Moving from side to side is called rotational spasmodic torticollis.
Turning and shaking of the head is called mixed torticollis.
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Essentials of Diagnosis
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