Is there a role for functional surgery in the management of quadriceps spasticity in adults with upper motor neuron lesion?

Introduction: Quadriceps femoris (QF) spasticity is frequent in patients with upper motor neuron lesion (UMNL) and stiff knee gait (SKG). When SKG is due to QF spasticity, this is frequently treated by means of focal inhibition of QF muscles by botulinum toxin [1,2], followed by physiotherapy, and repeated many times over years. Despite of its cost, the efficacy of this approach on SKG reduction is far from being satisfactory, with an average increase in knee flexion lower than 10 degrees [2]. Later, typically at years from the UMNL, functional surgery is considered, as a last-chance treatment, to correct the individual's acquired deformities, including equinus foot and SKG.

Source: Gait and Posture - October 1, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: D. Mazzoli, A. Merlo, P. Zerbinati, M. Galletti, E. Giannotti, F. Mascioli, L. Del Casale, P. Prati Tags: 103 Source Type: research