What happens when your passion is suddenly stripped away? That's what professional drummer Frank Funaro faced in 2010 when he began experiencing severe pain in his left arm. As a musician, he pushed through, but soon noticed strange spasms and uncontrollable movements— even off the drums. "Drumming was my identity, and suddenly, I couldn’t do it anymore." After years of searching for answers, Frank was diagnosed with musician’s focal dystonia, a neurological disorder that affects precise, repetitive movements. After years of failed treatments, Frank finally found hope. He was connected to Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, an expert in movement disorders, who introduced him to deep brain stimulation (#DBS)—a cutting-edge treatment that delivers electrical currents to specific areas of the brain to reduce symptoms. Under the skilled hands of Dr. Brian Kopell, Frank underwent DBS surgery in March 2021. While recovery wasn’t immediate, the tremors and spasms gradually began to fade. By July 2021, Frank could walk more normally, and soon after, he returned to the drums. Today, Frank’s journey continues with regular care from the team at Mount Sinai. “I have the utmost respect and gratitude for the entire team,” he says. #WeFindAWay #patientstory #focaldystonia #neurology
An inspiring story of resilience and innovation! Frank’s journey highlights the transformative power of cutting-edge treatments like #DBS and the dedication of healthcare teams to restoring not just health, but identity.
What an incredible journey! Kudos to Dr. Jimenez-Shahed and the team at Mount Sinai on helping Frank return to his passion.🥁