Time course of functional recovery of spastic skeletal muscle after application of botulinium toxin (DYSPORT)

Abstract

Botulinum toxin is successfully used in human and veterinary medicine. There are opposing opinions regarding the skeletal muscle recovery time after intramuscular administration of botulinum toxin and also disagreements regarding the frequency of application and the use of optimum doses which lead to improvement in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. The objective of this research is to determine the time of skeletal muscle functional recovery, the frequency of application and the optimal dose of botulinum toxin in patients with cerebral palsy. The research was conducted in 30 patients with an average age of 16.1 years. The assessment of functional recovery time was made by monitoring the electromyoneurographic parameters and by determination of the muscle mass and strength. The assessment of frequency of application and optimal dose was based on the evaluation of degree and frequency of spasticity, range of motion, walking function, before and after botulinum toxin application in specified intervals. We recommend the application of botulinum toxin in intervals of 3-6 months. The dose of 10 MU/kg of body mass proved to be optimal.