Movement disorders are a group of nervous system (neurological) conditions that cause either increased movements or reduced or slow movements.

Common types of movement disorders include:

• Ataxia: This movement disorder affects the part of the brain that controls coordinated movement. Ataxia may cause uncoordinated or clumsy balance, speech or limb movements, and other symptoms.
• Dystonia: This condition involves sustained involuntary muscle contractions with twisting, repetitive movements. Dystonia may affect the entire body or one part of the body.
• Huntington’s disease: This is an inherited, progressive disease that can be confirmed with genetic testing. Huntington’s disease has three components: uncontrolled movements, cognitive issues and psychiatric conditions.
• Parkinson’s disease: This slowly progressive disease causes tremor, muscle stiffness, slow or decreased movement, or imbalance. It also may also cause other symptoms not related to movement, such as reduced sense of smell, constipation, acting out dreams and a decline in cognition.
• Parkinsonism: Parkinsonism is a general term for slowness of movement along with stiffness, tremor or loss of balance. There are many different causes. Parkinson’s disease and certain dopamine-blocking medications are the most common causes. Other causes include degenerative disorders such as multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy. Stroke or repeated head trauma also can cause parkinsonism.
• Restless legs syndrome: This movement disorder causes unpleasant feelings in the legs while relaxing or lying down, often relieved by movement.
• Torticollis (also called cervical dystonia): This condition causes the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to pull to one side or to tilt forward or backward. There may be shaking.
• Tourette syndrome: This is a neurological condition that starts between childhood and teenage years and is associated with repetitive movements and vocal sounds.
• Tremor: This movement disorder causes rhythmic shaking of parts of the body, such as the hands, head or other body parts. The most common type is essential tremor.

Types of abnormal movement

There are two kinds of abnormal movement:

• Hyperkinetic
• Hypokinetic

A movement disorder can be both of these or just one.

Hyperkinetic movement disorders mean there is increased movement. It can affect voluntary movement (actions you choose to take) or cause involuntary movement (actions that happen without your control). Tremors and tics are two hyperkinetic movements.

Hypokinetic movement disorders involve decreased or slow movement. It generally affects voluntary movement. Hypokinetic brain conditions cause slowed movements, rigidity (stiffness), tremor or trouble with balance.

Do I Need a Movement Disorder Specialist?

If you notice unusual symptoms such as shaking hands or slower movements, you may want to consult your health care provider. If you are diagnosed with a movement disorder, a movement disorder specialist can help reduce your symptoms, help you be more comfortable and enhance your quality of life. The sooner you get this type of advanced care for movement disorders, the more likely you are to have better outcomes.

Más pacientes con trastornos del movimiento, como la enfermedad de Parkinson, buscan atención en el Norton Neuroscience Institute que en cualquier otro proveedor de Louisville o el sur de Indiana.

Opciones de tratamiento

Norton Neuroscience Institute provides comprehensive care for patients with all types of movement disorders affecting the brain. Norton Neuroscience Institute Cressman Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center, located on the Norton Brownsboro Hospital campus,  offers comprehensive care of these complex medical conditions.

Neurólogos, neurocirujanos funcionales, neuropsicólogos y fisioterapeutas trabajan juntos para crear un plan de tratamiento que abarque opciones medicamentosas, quirúrgicas y de rehabilitación. Los tratamientos y servicios más nuevos disponibles para los trastornos del movimiento incluyen la terapia con bomba de infusión de levodopa, la radiocirugía estereotáctica y una clínica de hidrocefalia normotensiva (HNT).

Neurosurgeons are fellowship trained to surgically treat movement disorders through interventions such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). Ofrecemos ECP con el paciente despierto y dormido. Thanks to advancements in technology, asleep DBS is possible using intraoperative MRI and CT scans that map the brain in three dimensions for more accurate targeting. Other potential benefits of asleep DBS include lower risk of hemorrhage and reduced anxiety  — and patients do not have to stop their medication on the day of surgery. Follow-up care after DBS is offered through as well. In addition, a dedicated patient navigator guides patients through their care journey, provides answers and connects them and their families with resources, including extensive support services, groups and classes.

Atención que está centrada en usted

Parte del objetivo del Norton Neuroscience Institute consiste en atender a la persona en su totalidad, no solo a la afección.

• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Centers offer ways to improve your access to care, provide valuable information on managing your disease and address your quality of life issues. The Norton Healthcare Foundation funds this important service, so patients don’t need to pay.
• Dedicated patient navigators can help schedule follow-up appointments, coordinate prescription assistance, create customized diet plans and provide guidance on disability benefits, housing, financial and employment concerns and more.
• Patients can access support groups, exercise classes and other educational events to connect with others and learn how to make the most of life while managing a neurological condition. 
• Access an on-demand video library of educational content across a variety of condition-related topics is available.
• We want to help prevent illness. Get help quitting smoking and learn the signs of stroke.
• Communicate with your provider, manage appointments, refill prescriptions and more anytime from a computer or mobile device with a free Norton MyChart account.

Un líder de Louisville en atención neurológica

More patients from Louisville and Southern Indiana seek their neurology and neurosurgery care from Norton Neuroscience Institute’s nationally recognized specialists than any other providers in the area.

Your Norton Neuroscience Institute medical provider has the expertise, experience, diagnostic tools and sophisticated treatments to provide care tailored to your needs.

• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists are dedicated to providing innovative care to those with brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Advanced, minimally invasive neurosurgery equipment can speed your recovery and minimize pain.
• Multidisciplinary clinics provide easy access to care in one convenient appointment for your neurological condition, with specialists in oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and behavioral health.

• Norton Healthcare was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as high performing for stroke care, exceeding national averages.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville each were awarded a 2023 American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines – Stroke designation for stroke care. Norton Brownsboro Hospital received the highest possible award — Gold Plus.
• Norton Healthcare’s four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are certified by DNV.
  • Norton Brownsboro Hospital is recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, representing the highest level of stroke care.
  • Norton Audubon Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Hospital is a Primary Stroke Center.
  • Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.
• El programa de esclerosis múltiple (EM) del Norton Neuroscience Institute ha sido designado como centro para la atención integral de la EM por la National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a level 4 epilepsy center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Hospital’s neurosurgical intensive care unit is recognized with a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
• Los orientadores del centro de recursos del Norton Neuroscience Institute ayudan a educar a los pacientes y sus familias sobre los nuevos diagnósticos, los tratamientos disponibles y las formas de controlar su enfermedad.
• We are listed by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 100 great neurosurgery and spine programs.