title: The role of botulinum toxin injections in the management of muscle overactivity of the lower limb.
abstract: Muscle overactivity is common in patients with adult onset central nervous system damage. It can produce significant disablement in conjunction with other impairments such as adaptive soft tissue shortening and loss of muscle strength. Muscle overactivity is not evenly distributed throughout the body; across joints there is frequently imbalance between agonist and antagonist, producing abnormal joint postures and movement patterns. Due to the asymmetric nature of the abnormal activity across joints, in general we recommend local treatment targeting the more overactive of the two agonists, rather than systemic treatment. Considerable experience with the use of botulinum toxin, both serotypes A and B, in the treatment of muscle overactivity has been accumulated in the last two decades through pragmatic clinical practice and open label studies, supported by an increasing number of randomized controlled trials. In most cases, it is important to use botulinum toxin injection for treatment of muscle overactivity in the setting of wider rehabilitation goals and interventions. Focal and partial blocks with botulinum toxin should be used as a component of a general neurorehabilitation programme rather than as an alternative to other treatments. We review the evidence supporting the use of botulinum toxin to treat muscle overactivity in the lower limb, present practical guidelines on when and how to use botulinum toxin and provide direction for future research.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, C.H.U. Henri MONDOR, Créteil, France. jean-michel.gracies@hmn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gracies
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Dunne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007866:Leg; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009339:Needles; D019233:Retreatment
chemical_list: D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A