Repeated botulinum toxin A injections in the treatment of spastic equinus foot.

Abstract

Equinus foot disorder is a common problem for patients with cerebral palsy who are able to ambulate. Botulinum toxin A is a recommended method of treatment for temporary reduction of muscle tone. The efficacy of repeated botulinum toxin A injections in the calf muscles was evaluated in a clinical trial involving 21 children with cerebral palsy and dynamic equinus foot deformity who were able to ambulate. The mean age of the children was 5.7 years. All patients received at least two injections, six patients received at least three injections, and three patients received four injections. The outcome was evaluated using observational and three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. Significant improvements of the gait parameters were observed at 6 and 18 weeks after the first and second injections. Botulinum toxin A injections in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles may change the natural history of equinus foot deformity in patients with spastic diplegia. Orthopaedic surgery may be postponed or avoided.

• Authors: Dimitrios Metaxiotis, Andrea Siebel, Leonhard Doederlein
• Journal: Clinical orthopaedics and related research (Clin Orthop Relat Res) Issue 394 Pg. 177-85 (Jan 2002) ISSN: 0009-921X [Print] United States
• PMID: 11795730 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins

Topics

• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Botulinum Toxins (administration & dosage)
• Cerebral Palsy (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Electromyography
• Equinus Deformity (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Female
• Gait (physiology)
• Humans
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Muscle Spasticity
• Probability
• Prognosis
• Treatment Outcome