Botox injections for foot displacia

[Geebo Church]

Sci. Nurse:

I have a 19 year old son who is 10 years post- injury, a C-1/C-2 quad, Brown-Secord syndrome, with partial recovery (full weaning capacity during day,ability to manually drive chair). Recently he has elected to receive Botox injections in an attempt to counter the inward turning of his feet. The treatment is planned to accompany therapeutic wearing of casts during night, and potentially some physical therapy.

Is there a cost-benefit assessment for treatment using Botox?

Is Botox safe or potentially detrimental to motor or signal neurons, fibres, muscles? Is a chronic application of Botox capable of permanently dammaging nerves or muscles, compromising an eventual recovery of function, should repair become available?

Thanks,
G. Church

[SCI-Nurse]

Botox is a temporary intervention that might need to be repeated every three to six months. But with the right stretching and bracing it might not need to be repeated.

It's marketed to women to help remove facial wrinkles, so you can trust that it's safe. Physicians wouldn't be taking a big financial risk to treat wrinkles.

Also remembeer that contractures are permanent and that they will compromise recovery of function should repair become possible.

All in all, it seems in your son's best interest for current and future function to get these taken care of. And botox is a good adjunct to physical therapy in this regard.

RAB