Botulinum therapy in neurology

Indications

There are a number of neurological diseases for which botulinum toxin is indicated in medicine. Among them:

• Chronic migraine. Characterized by frequent and intense headaches. Botulinum therapy reduces the frequency and intensity of attacks by acting on the muscles that cause tension and spasms.
• Headaches with tension in the pericranial muscles. Botulinum therapy relaxes the muscles of the head and neck, reducing tension and relieving pain.
• Facial pain, including dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. The therapy reduces pain and muscle tension. Improves the functioning of the jaw joint.
• Neuropathy of the facial nerve. For facial asymmetries and hyperkinesis, botulinum therapy restores symmetry and controls involuntary movements, thereby improving the appearance and functionality of the face.
• Bruxism, or teeth grinding, leads to wear and tear in the jaw. Botulinum toxin therapy reduces muscle tension, which reduces grinding and associated symptoms.
• Spasticity. Occurs after strokes, with cerebral palsy, head injury and multiple sclerosis, causing increased muscle tension. The therapy relaxes spastic muscles, improves motor function and relieves pain.
• Dystonias, such as blepharospasm and oromandibular form, are characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Botulinum toxin therapy reduces these contractions, relieving symptoms.
• Hemifacial spasm, tics, myokymia. These conditions are manifested by involuntary contractions of the facial muscles. Botulinum toxin therapy helps control these contractions by reducing their frequency and intensity.
• Sialorrhea (increased salivation). Hyperhidrosis (increased sweating). The therapy reduces sialorrhea and hyperhidrosis, blocks nerve impulses responsible for excessive secretion of saliva and sweat.
• Myofascial pain syndromes. Characterized by pain in the muscles and surrounding tissues. Botulinum toxin therapy helps relax muscles, reduce pain and improve the functionality of the affected areas. This helps reduce tension and relieve chronic pain.

Contraindications

• the use of the drug is not recommended if there is an individual intolerance to BTA or any of its components, manifested in the form of allergic reactions;
• Not suitable for patients with neuromuscular disorders, including myasthenia gravis and myasthenic syndromes.

The procedure cannot be done in case of inflammatory processes in the intended injection area, as well as in persons with blood clotting disorders, for example, hemophilia. All of these conditions can increase the risk of complications and worsen treatment outcomes.

Preparation and diagnostics

Before starting treatment, the patient must undergo an examination so that the doctor can determine whether this method of treatment is suitable based on the individual characteristics of the patient and the nature of his disease. The main diagnostic methods include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)․
• X-ray examination․
• Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)․
• Positron emission tomography (PET)․
• Electroneuromyography (ENMG).

After receiving the examination results, the neurologist determines the duration of the course of treatment, calculates the required dose of the drug and draws up an individual plan for clinic visits.

How the treatment procedure works

The botulinum therapy treatment process includes several stages, starting from diagnosis and ending with the botulinum toxin injection procedure itself.

The botulinum therapy procedure itself takes little time - usually no more than 5 minutes. It involves injecting botulinum toxin directly into the affected muscle. Botox is administered intramuscularly, sometimes under ultrasound guidance, to determine the injection site as accurately as possible.

During the procedure, electrical myostimulation can also be performed using a needle-electrode, which helps to consolidate the effect of Botox. This allows you to achieve relaxation of spasming muscles, relieve pain and cramps, and also stop neurogenic inflammation.

After the procedure

After botulinum toxin injection, the patient can immediately return to their normal lifestyle, since botulinum therapy does not require a long recovery period. The effect of treatment begins to appear gradually and lasts for 3-6 months, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body and the nature of the disease.

Botulinum therapy treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis in specialized medical centers, such as the K+31 clinic, where patients can receive consultations from specialized specialists and undergo all the necessary diagnostic procedures. This innovative treatment method combines high efficiency, safety and convenience for the patient.