Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A treatment of functional impairment of degenerative hip joint: Preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A injection into the adductor muscles in reducing pain and improving joint mobility and quality of life in patients affected by hip osteoarthritis.


METHODS
A total of 39 outpatients, mean age 68 years (age range 41-82 years), were evaluated using the Harris Hip Score to test hip function, a visual analogue scale to measure pain intensity and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire to assess patient well-being and quality of life at baseline, 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment with botulinum toxin type A. A total of 400 U of botulinum toxin type A (Dysport) was injected into the adductor longus muscle and the adductor magnus muscle.


RESULTS
The Harris Hip Score increased significantly after 2, 4 and 12 weeks (df 3, chi2 = 45.1; p < 0.0001). A significant decrease in pain intensity was detected at all the follow-up visits, after 2, 4 and 12 weeks (df 3; chi2 = 27.8; p < 0.001). The SF-36 score was significantly higher 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. At each evaluation visit a significant correlation was detected between decreased pain and improved hip mobility.


CONCLUSIONS
Botulinum toxin type A induced a reduction in pain, indicating that this might be an innovative, less invasive treatment in patients affected by severe hip osteoarthritis, with remarkable effects on the clinical management of this disease.
Marchini
Corrado
C
Neurology, City Hospital San Martino, ULSS 1 Belluno, Italy.
Acler
Michele
M
Bolognari
Marco A
MA
Causero
Araldo
A
Volpe
Daniele
D
Regis
Dario
D
Rizzo
Alessandra
A
Rosa
Raffaella
R
Eleopra
Roberto
R
Manganotti
Paolo
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A