Impact of focal hand dystonia on hand function—a case report with carpal tunnel syndrome and mirror dystonia video

Abstract Background Focal hand dystonia is a movement disorder that causes involuntary and painful contractions in the muscles of the forearm and hand, affecting fine manual dexterity and activities such as playing instruments or writing. In contrast, carpal tunnel syndrome is a neuropathy that leads to tingling and weakness in the hand due to compression of the median nerve. Case presentation We present the case of a woman with a clinical history of compressive syndrome of the median nerve of 2 years’ duration and a diagnosis of focal dystonia of the flexor pollicis longus. Botulinum toxin injections were administered, resulting in an improvement of symptoms. Clinical discussion Despite the improvement from botulinum toxin treatment, carpal tunnel release surgery could not be avoided due to the persistent involvement of the median nerve. Botulinum toxin injection appears to be a useful treatment in such cases and may help to manage symptoms effectively if applied early. Conclusion In this case, early administration of botulinum toxin might have improved the patient’s quality of life by delaying or avoiding the need for surgery, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention.