UT Health East Texas Movement Disorders Center
When facing a movement disorder, you want the most skilled specialists. Under the leadership of medical director Dr. George Plotkin, PhD, MD, the UT Health East Texas Movement Disorders Center has gained a reputation for excellence. Nationally ranked within the top 10 percent of programs for deep brain stimulation (DBS), patients travel to East Texas from across the state and around the world seeking an accurate diagnosis, advanced treatments and individualized care.
The center is comprised of four fellowship-trained neurosurgeons and a team of highly skilled neurologists. Together they provide a continuum of care that will guide patients and their families through the process of treatment and support for a range of movement disorders.
Among the conditions treated are:
- Blepharospasm
- Cerebellar ataxia
- Chorea
- Dystonia
- Essential tremor and familial tremor
- Hemifacial spasm
- Huntington’s disease
- Involuntary movements
- Myoclonus
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Parkinson's Disease (PD)
- Restless leg syndrome
- Spacticity
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Tics
- Torticollis
- Tourette’s syndrome
Movement disorders signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of movement disorders vary and depend on the type and extent of the condition. Factors such as anxiety, fatigue, medication and stress can affect the severity of symptoms at any given time. Some of the more common symptoms of movement disorders are:
- Gait changes
- Disrupted balance
- Involuntary movements, sounds or grunts
- Changes in muscle strength
- Muscle pain, contractions or spasms
About the DBS procedure
The neurosurgeons at UT Health East Texas have performed more the 350 DBS procedures to help successfully control symptoms of movement disorders. DBS is known to make a tremendous difference in quality of life for people with movement or affective disorders. For instance, a patient with Parkinson’s disease is likely to gain six more hours of daily functioning time and cut the number of necessary medications in half as a result of DBS.
According to Dr. Plotkin, “It’s a tremendous boon for the patient. Our complication rates are extremely low, and patients universally say that if they had to option to do it again they would do it again.”
Support Programs
Coping with a movement disorder can be a challenge. That's why UT Health East Texas offers a free support groups to provide information and community for patients and caregivers living with movement disorders. Follow the link for more information and to find a support group that fits your needs.
For more information or for a physician referral, please call the UT Health East Texas Movement Disorders Center at 903-535-6092 or 800-728-2702.