Spasticity is a condition involving overactive muscle contractions. It can be described as hyperactivity of reflexes that normally protect against sudden stretching of a muscle. This condition can interfere with mobility and performance of activities of daily living. Over time, spasticity may lead to contractures, which involve loss of range of joint motion.

BOTOX therapy is used to treat patients with spasticity that restricts function or causes pain. BOTOX is a nerve impulse ”blocker.” It attaches to nerve endings and prevents the release of chemical transmitters, which activate muscles. These chemicals carry the “message” from the brain that tells a muscle to contract. If the message is blocked, the muscle doesn’t spasm.

However, nerve endings usually grow new connections to muscles that have not yet been exposed to BOTOX. So, treatment may be repeated as often as every three months. Botox usually takes full effect within two to four weeks after injection. Patients should resume physical activity slowly and carefully after Botox injection.

BOTOX is FDA-approved preventive treatment for Chronic Migraine. BOTOX is a prescription medicine that is injected to prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraine who have 15 or more days each month with headache lasting 4 or more hours each day in people 18 years or older.

The most common side effects include weakness, discoloration, redness, pain or discomfort at the injection site.

Important limitations:

Safety and effectiveness of BOTOX have not been established for the treatment of other upper or lower limb muscle groups. Safety and effectiveness of BOTOX have not been established for the treatment of spasticity in pediatric patients under age 18 years. BOTOX has not been shown to improve upper extremity functional abilities or range of motion at a joint affected by a fixed contracture. Treatment with BOTOX is not intended to substitute for usual standard of care rehabilitation regimens.

Indications:

•       Upper and lower limb spasticity
•       Cervical dystonia
•       Chronic migraine headache