Botox has been used as a spasticity treatment for individuals with cerebral palsy for about 30 years. Spasticity refers to involuntary muscle contractions caused by damage to the central nervous system and it is one of the most common secondary effects of cerebral palsy.
While Botox is considered an effective treatment for spasticity, its effects are temporary. To help you understand how to promote long-term spasticity relief with Botox injections, this article will discuss:
- How Botox injections may help individuals with cerebral palsy
- How to promote long-term spasticity relief with Botox
- Is Botox safe for children with cerebral palsy?
- Side effects of Botox injections
How Botox Injections Can Help Individuals with Cerebral Palsy
Botox is a nerve blocker that blocks the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This allows the muscles to relax, making it ideal for relieving high muscle tone caused by cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth. Because of that damage, messages between the brain and muscles get disrupted.
To protect themselves, the muscles contract. However, because messages from the brain cannot reach the muscles, the muscles remain contracted for prolonged periods. These involuntary muscle contractions are referred to as spasticity.
Nearly 80% of individuals with cerebral palsy experience spasticity. Because cerebral palsy is a developmental disability, poorly managed spasticity can cause disproportional growth, chronic pain, and the development of an abnormal gait (walking pattern).
While the brain damage that caused cerebral palsy will not worsen, spasticity can. Therefore, early intervention is essential for preventing the progression of spasticity. One of the most effective ways to do this is to inject Botox into the muscles.
Up next, we’ll discuss how to maximize the effects of Botox for long-term spasticity relief.
How to Promote Long-Term Spasticity Relief with Botox
Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that needs long-term solutions. While Botox is proven effective at relieving spasticity in individuals with cerebral palsy, its effects are temporary. Generally, the effects of Botox last for 3-6 months.
Luckily, there are ways for individuals with cerebral palsy to utilize Botox injections to get lasting spasticity relief.
The most effective way to promote long-term spasticity relief is to take advantage of the reduced muscle tone provided by Botox and participate in an intensive rehabilitation program.
This will allow individuals to practice movements and activities with a less restricted range of motion. Additionally, the consistent stimulation will help promote the brain’s ability to reorganize itself: neuroplasticity. Through highly repetitive practice, individuals may activate neuroadaptive changes in the brain for long-term spasticity relief.
When movements affected by spasticity are reorganized to undamaged regions of the brain, communication between the muscles and brain will no longer be disrupted, resulting in permanent spasticity relief.
Up next, we’ll discuss whether Botox injections are safe for children with CP.
Is Botox Safe for Children with Cerebral Palsy?
Botox injections to reduce lower limb spasticity have been graded effective and safe for individuals with cerebral palsy.
This study tested Botox on children with spasticity in their legs. One group received 200 units (the recommended and max dose) of Botox per leg while the other group received 100 units.
The children in the higher dose group showed significantly greater improvements than the lower dose group. Additionally, children who were 7 years old or younger demonstrated better motor improvements than those who were over 7. This is likely because younger children have had less time to form poor habits, and their brains also have increased neuroplasticity compared with those who are older.
Therefore, this study suggests that early intervention and using the right dosage of Botox can significantly affect functional outcomes in individuals with cerebral palsy.
However, Botox may not be ideal for all children with cerebral palsy. In the following section, we’ll discuss common side effects of Botox.
Side Effects of Botox for Cerebral Palsy
Although Botox injections are generally safe, about 3-10% of people experience adverse side effects.
Likewise, individuals can develop tolerance to Botox. As a result, they may gradually require a higher dosage to receive the same amount of spasticity relief, which increases their risk of developing side effects.
Common side effects of using Botox to treat spasticity include:
- Soreness, bruising, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- General muscle weakness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Increased sweating
To determine whether Botox injections are ideal for your child’s spasticity, consult with their pediatrician.
Botox for Cerebral Palsy: Summary
Botox is commonly used to manage spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy, but the injections alone are not enough for long-term relief.
To treat spasticity long-term, active exercise is necessary. This promotes neuroplasticity, which may help rewire functions affected by spasticity to undamaged regions of the brain.
While the effects of Botox are temporary, they create opportunities to practice moving with correct form and improve motor control.
Hopefully, this article helped you understand how Botox may help people with cerebral palsy and how to use it to get lasting results.
