What is focal dystonia? How does it affect musicians? And can it be treated? Steve Dow talks with a musician, a neurologist and a specialist physiotherapist and health researcher to investigate the movement disorder that can end a musician’s career, and the search for a cure.

Photo © Panoramic Images/Alamy Stock Photo

When Margot Dean played bassoon, she felt completely connected with audiences, especially as a member of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, a musical community that sated her creative desire. 

Dean rose to section Principal Bassoon with the ASO in 1992, at the age of 25, playing in that position for most of the decade afterwards. Her favourite moments in the orchestra pit were playing opera, unleashing her instrument’s warm vibrato and distinctive tone as the musicians...