In severe spasticity cases, where physical therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques have failed, more drastic procedures may be indicated, such as dorsal-column stimulation, injection of phenol into the nerves, and surgery. Dorsal-column stimulation, successfully used in the past for pain relief, is now also used to reduce spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). With this technique a device is implanted directly on the spinal cord, and spasticity is interrupted by electrical stimulation. This is a major surgical procedure that involves some tampering with the spinal cord and the possibility of increased spinal cord damage with prolonged use. Its success remains unproved.Injection of phenol into one or more nerves of spastic limbs has been used mainly in cases where the aductor muscles of the thighs are so spastic that the legs cannot be pulled apart. These phenol "blocks" usually last about six months.Finally, in the most severe cases of spastic legs, surgery is sometimes used in which the tight muscles or involved nerve roots are cut. These drastic measures are rarely needed or used in MS but are available for the bedridden patient seeking relief.
In severe spasticity cases, where physical therapy, medication, and
relaxation techniques have failed, more drastic procedures may be
indicated, such as dorsal-column stimulation, injection of phenol
into the nerves, and surgery. Dorsal-column...
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Dr. Louis Rosner answered:In severe spasticity cases, where physical therapy, medication, and relaxation techniques have failed, more drastic procedures may be indicated, such as dorsal-column stimulation, injection of phenol into the nerves, and surgery. Dorsal-column stimulation, successfully used in the past for pain relief, is now also used to reduce spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). With this technique a device is implanted directly on the spinal cord, and spasticity is interrupted by electrical stimulation. This is a major surgical procedure that involves some tampering with the spinal cord and the possibility of increased spinal cord damage with prolonged use. Its success remains unproved.Injection of phenol into one or more nerves of spastic limbs has been used mainly in cases where the aductor muscles of the thighs are so spastic that the legs cannot be pulled apart. These phenol "blocks" usually last about six months.Finally, in the most severe cases of spastic legs, surgery is sometimes used in which the tight muscles or involved nerve roots are cut. These drastic measures are rarely needed or used in MS but are available for the bedridden patient seeking relief.
