Successive motor nerve blocks to identify the muscles causing a spasticity pattern: example of the arm flexion pattern

F. Benet; A. Schnitzler; F. Droz Bartholet; M. Salga; L. Tatu; C. Debaud; P. Denormandie; B. Parratte

Ayuda

Successive motor nerve blocks to identify the muscles causing a spasticity pattern: example of the arm flexion pattern

F. Genet ^[3] ; A. Schnitzler ^[3] ; F. Droz-Bartholet ^[4] ; M. Salga ^[5] ; L. Tatu ^[1] ; C. Debaud ^[2] ; P. Denormandie ^[2] ; B. Parratte ^[6]
1. [1] Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté
  
  Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté
  
  Arrondissement de Besançon, Francia
2. [2] Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University
  
  Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University
  
  Arrondissement de Versailles, Francia
3. [3] Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
4. [4] Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, CHRU Besançon, Besançon Cedex, France
5. [5] Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
6. [6] Ecole Européenne de Chirurgie (EEC), Paris, France
Mostrar afiliaciones +
Localización: Journal of Anatomy, ISSN 0021-8782, Vol. 230, Nº. 1, 2017, págs. 106-116
Idioma: inglés
Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
Resumen
- Botulinum Toxin A has been the main treatment for spasticity since the beginning of the 1990s. Surprisingly, there is still no consensus regarding injection parameters or, importantly, how to determine which muscles to target to improve specific functions. The aim of this study was to develop a systematic approach to determine this, using the example of the arm flexion pattern. We first determined anatomical landmarks for selective motor block of the brachialis nerve, using 20 forearms from 10 fresh cadavers in Ecole Européenne de Chirurgie and a university-based dissection centre, Paris, France. We then carried out selective blocks of the motor nerves to the brachialis, brachioradialis and biceps brachii in patients with stroke with an arm flexion pattern, in a University Rehabilitation Hospital, Garches, France. We measured: the resting angle of the elbow angle in standing (manual goniometer), active and passive range of extension, and spasticity using the Held and Tardieu and the Modified Ashworth scales. Range of passive elbow extension was also measured with the shoulder in 90° of flexion. The resting angle of the elbow in standing decreased by 35.0° (from 87.6 ± 23.7 to 52.6 ± 24.2°) with inhibition of brachialis, by a further 3.9° (from 52.6 ± 24.2 to 48.7 ± 23.7°) with inhibition of brachioradialis and a further 14.5° (from 48.7 ± 23.7to 34.2 ± 20.7°) with inhibition of biceps brachii. These results were consistent with the clinical evaluation of passive elbow range of motion with the shoulder at 90°. Sequential blocking of the nerves to the three main elbow flexors revealed that the muscle that limited elbow extension the most, was brachialis. This muscle should be the main target to improve the arm flexion pattern. These results show that it is important not simply to inject the most superficial or powerful muscles to treat a spastic deformity. A comprehensive assessment is required. The strategy proposed in this paper should increase the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections by ensuring that the relevant muscles are targeted.