Spinal cord injury and use of botulinum toxin in reducing spasticity.

Spasticity is commonly seen after spinal cord injury, and a large percentage of patients with spinal cord injury will need treatment to control it. Although oral medications do a fair job of controlling spasticity in most patients, some patients will need additional forms of treatment. In many cases, oral medications alone do not adequately control spasticity or the patient cannot tolerate the side effects. In these instances, botulinum toxin may help control the spasticity for approximately 3 months after injection. The amount of botulinum toxin and the injection sites can be tailored to meet individual patient needs. Botulinum toxins can reduce spasticity, improve function, and reduce the amount of needed assistance.