dystonia

Term:dystonia

Origin: Anc Greek

δυσ-/dys-(=with a negative sense meaning difficult, bad, abnormal, misfortune)

> δύω/dyo(=decline) δύση/dysi(=sundown)

τόνος/tonos (=impairment of muscle tone)

 > τανύω/taneo(=strain)

Hermann Oppenheim (1858-1919)

Coined: in 1911 by the German neurologist Hermann Oppenheim (1858-1919) who coined the term  dystonia musculorum deformans although the term “torsion dystonia” has been used before , not every patient with dystonia has torsion=twisting of an organ.  

Definition:

A movement disorder characterized by involuntary sustained muscle contractions of the trunk and limbs that result in writhing or twisting movements, tremor, and abnormal posture.