Writer's Cramp: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

References

1. Baur B, Schenk T, Fürholzer W, et al. Modified pen grip in the treatment of Writer's Cramp. Hum Mov Sci. Oct 2006;25(4-5):464-73. [Medline].

2. Chen R, Hallett M. Focal dystonia and repetitive motion disorders. Clin Orthop. Jun 1998;(351):102-6. [Medline].

3. Chen RS, Tsai CH, Lu CS. Reciprocal inhibition in writer''s cramp. Mov Disord. Sep 1995;10(5):556-61. [Medline].

4. Cohen LG, Hallett M. Hand cramps: clinical features and electromyographic patterns in a focal dystonia. Neurology. Jul 1988;38(7):1005-12. [Medline].

5. Epidemiologic Study of Dystonia in Europe (ESDE) Collaborative Group. Sex-related influences on the frequency and age of onset of primary dystonia. Neurology. Nov 10 1999;53(8):1871-3. [Medline].

6. Marsden CD, Sheehy MP. Writer''s cramp. Trends Neurosci. Apr 1990;13(4):148-53. [Medline].

7. Rhoad RC, Stern PJ. Writer''s cramp--a focal dystonia: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. J Hand Surg [Am]. May 1993;18(3):541-4. [Medline].

8. Schmidt A, Jabusch HC, Altenmüller E, et al. Dominantly transmitted focal dystonia in families of patients with musician's cramp. Neurology. Aug 22 2006;67(4):691-3. [Medline].

9. Tinazzi M, Farina S, Bhatia K, et al. TENS for the treatment of writer's cramp dystonia: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Neurology. Jun 14 2005;64(11):1946-8. [Medline].

10. Turjanski N, Pirtosek Z, Quirk J, et al. Botulinum toxin in the treatment of writer's cramp. Clin Neuropharmacol. Aug 1996;19(4):314-20. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

focal hand dystonia, graphospasm, musician's cramp, writer's cramp, focal dystonia, dystonic conditions, repetitive movements, spinal reciprocal inhibition

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jonathan B Strober, MD, Director, Pediatric Muscular Dystrophy Association Clinic; Assistant Clinical Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, University of California at San Francisco
Jonathan B Strober, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Stephen T Gancher, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health Sciences University
Stephen T Gancher, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, and Movement Disorders Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Nestor Galvez-Jimenez, MD, Program Director of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Division of Medicine, Director of Neurology Residency Training Program, Cleveland Clinic Florida
Nestor Galvez-Jimenez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American College of Physicians, and Movement Disorders Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Matthew J Baker, MD, Consulting Staff, Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples Community Hospital
Matthew J Baker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD, Chief Editor, eMedicine Neurology; Consulting Staff, Neurology Specialists and Consultants
Nicholas Y Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.