Description

Botox Injection for Spasticity and Dystonia:- What is botulinum toxin? Botulinum toxins are a group of proteins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Currently there are seven identified types of botulinum toxin: A, B. C1, D, E, F and G. Botulinum toxin injections are used to treat certain types of dystonia. Dystonia is a neurologic syndrome characterized by involuntary muscle contractions of opposing muscles that may result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Botulinum toxin injections have been approved by the FDA for treatment of the following types of dystonia: blepharospasm and cervical dystonia. How do botulinum toxin injections work? Botulinum toxin injections work by blocking the signals that are sent from the nerve cells to the muscles. When these signals are blocked, the release of acetylcholine is prevented. Acetylcholine is neurotransmitter found in the body and when its release is blocked, the affected muscles are rendered unable to contract. Patients treated with botulinum toxin injections usually notice the effects 3 days to 2 weeks following treatments. After approximately 3 months, the effects of the botulinum toxin will diminish. What is EMG? EMG is the abbreviation for electromyography, a technique used for evaluating and recording the activation signal of muscles. EMG is performed using an instrument called an electromyogram which helps the physician to locate the most active part of the muscle. EMG is primarily used for targeting deep muscles that are difficult to access. If your physician uses EMG, he or she will place two small electrodes on your skin and one will attach to the injection needles. When the needles is inserted into the muscle, the electromyogram will emit a sound similar to static and indicate to the physician through sound and a display on the screen, where the most active part of the muscle is located. It is normal to feel nervous prior to your first botulinum toxin injection. We recommend following your typical daily schedule and eating a meal before your visit. Some patients prefer to bring an MP3 player to listen to during the visit while others practice relaxation techniques. The procedure prior to injection varies slightly depending on the injection site. Typically, the doctor or nurse will first clean off your skin using an alcohol swab. This may feel cool against your skin. Depending on the site, the doctor or nurse may use a numbing cream to help with pain at the injection site. The needles used to inject botulinum toxin are very fine and most patients report feeling mild discomfort during the injection.  The needle may be connected to an EMG machine and the doctor will inject specific muscles depending on the type of dystonia. Introduction to Spasticity and Botox Spasticity is a condition characterized by increased muscle contraction, often due to damage to the central nervous system. This can lead to irregular muscle stiffness and, in severe cases, painful contractions or spasms. Botox, or Botulinum toxin, offers a treatment option to reduce spasticity and relieve associated pain. Spasticity occurs due to an interruption or damage to the neural pathways that control voluntary movement. Symptoms include stiffness, spontaneous muscle contraction, and uncontrollable jerking movements. Common causes of spasticity include conditions that harm the brain or spinal cord, including multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. Individuals with spasticity may experience noticeable changes such as clenched fists, pointed toes, or cocking the head to one side, often without active control over these movements.

Key Specification Botox Injection

Spasticity and Dystonia

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