The University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration has a full complement of experts in several disciplines. Neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscientists, neurophysicists, psychiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists. Over twenty Five faculty members and over 30 students and residents make up one of the most dynamic Movement Disorders Centers in the country.
Movement Disorders Neurology Clinic
Neurologists who have specialized in movement disorders see patients each week in their clinics. The physicians spend time with each patient diagnosing their disorders and optimizing their medical treatments.
Botulinum toxin treatments
Botulinum toxin has been used with great success to improve dystonia and other movement disorders. At UF this is one of the busiest botox clinics in the world and we use all available serotypes and participate in multiple clinical trials. Additionally, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Malaty are part of many national teaching courses on Botulinum toxin. Patients should be aware that uses of the toxin may extend beyond dystonia, and may help pain, drooling and other issues.
Details on Botulinum toxin treatments…
Physical therapy and gait training
Physical therapy helps the patient to manage physical dysfunctions that commonly occur with movement disorders. The goal of physical therapy is to restore function, promote wellness, and to improve the patient’s quality of life. Common topics of discussion with our therapists include: fall prevention, assistive devices such as walkers or canes, home modifications, proper footwear, energy conservation strategies, exercise regimens, compensatory strategies to decrease freezing of gait, the current treatments available for movement disorders, and much more! Local patients can continue their therapy at multiple Shands Rehab locations in Gainesville or at home with Shands Homecare. For our out-of-town patients, we creat a plan of care and assist in coordinating therapy at a location in their hometown that is knowledgeable in the treatment of movement disorders.
Speech and language disorder evaluation and treatment
Speech Language Pathology is a rehabilitation service that treats patients for problems they are having with their speech, voice or language. Speech pathologists also help evaluate and treat swallow problems that can occur with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Rosenbek, Troche, and Sapienza dedicate their clinics to patients with voice, swallowing or speech problems and have developed therapies to help them. They have developed cutting edge technology to examine speech, swallowing, and cough and recently invented a device to prevent aspiration pneumonia in Parkinson’s disease (Neurology, 2010). The new center has a cough meter, a voice meter, and a swallowing suite all in the same location.
Details on Speech and Swallow Treatment…
Neuropsychological assessments
Do you get your memory checked each year? You may want Dr. Bowers, Bauer, or Price to help you with new therapies early, before problems get too severe. This neuropsychological team is considered in the top 3 or 4 in the country in clinical and research care in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and other movement disorders. There are few teams published as extensively as this team of neuropsychologists.
UF Tyler’s Hope Dystonia Center of Excellence
In 2008 the UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration was designated as the first Tyler’s Hope Center for Comprehensive Dystonia Care. Through this designation, we are now able to provide a world-class, “concierge service” to every new patient seen at our center with dystonia. During scheduling, the staff interviews the patient and family and identifies other areas of need (such as social services, physical therapy, psychotherapy, etc) so that they can be simultaneously scheduled during the clinic visit, providing true interdisciplinary care. We have created similar “signature” programs in care, education and outreach for our dystonia patients.
