Botulinum toxin infiltration for movement disorders 

What is botulinum toxin infiltration for movement disorders? 

Botulinum toxin infiltration is a medical procedure that involves injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin directly into the muscles affected by movement disorders. Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that causes muscle contraction, helping to relax the muscles and reduce the symptoms of the movement disorder. 

What is this diagnostic procedure for? 

Botulinum toxin infiltration is used to treat a variety of movement disorders, including: 

• Dystonia: to reduce involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal movements associated with dystonia, such as spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia), blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid contractions), hand dystonia (writer’s cramp), and foot dystonia. . 

• Spasticity: to reduce muscle stiffness and improve mobility in people with spasticity caused by cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological conditions. 

• Tremor: to reduce tremors in people with essential tremor or other types of tremor that are not adequately controlled with oral medication. 

• Other movement disorders: to treat other movement disorders, such as hemifacial spasm (involuntary contractions of one side of the face) and sialorrhea (excessive salivation). 

Benefits of advanced technology in botulinum toxin infiltration 

Botulinum toxin infiltration offers a number of key benefits thanks to the technology it uses: 

• Electromyography guidance: Electromyography (EMG) can be used to guide the injection of botulinum toxin, allowing for greater accuracy and effectiveness. 

• Treatment personalization: The dose of botulinum toxin and the muscles that are injected are determined individually for each patient, based on their specific symptoms and needs. 

• Minimally invasive procedure: It is a minimally invasive procedure that is usually performed in the doctor’s office. 

Relief from symptoms: It can provide significant relief from the symptoms of movement disorders, improving quality of life for patients. 

Recommendations for the procedure 

Remember that it is important to adhere to the following recommendations to ensure the quality of the test and your comfort: 

• Report medications: it’s important to tell your doctor about all the medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. 

• Avoid certain medications: You may need to avoid taking certain medications before the procedure, such as blood thinners. Follow your doctor’s instructions. 

• Report any discomfort: Tell your doctor about any discomfort or side effects you experience after the procedure. 

Are there any risks?  

Botulinum toxin infiltration is generally considered safe, but like any medical procedure, there are some minor risks to consider: 

• Muscle pain or weakness: There may be pain or muscle weakness at the injection site. 

• Bruising: A small bruise may form at the injection site. 

• Allergic reactions: in rare cases, allergic reactions to the botulinum toxin may occur. 

• Toxin spread: In rare cases, the botulinum toxin can spread to other muscles, causing muscle weakness in unwanted areas, for example in the muscles used for swallowing, resulting in difficulty swallowing. 

To ensure your procedure runs smoothly, we ask that you arrive before the scheduled time. This will allow us to complete the necessary administrative and clinical preparation. 

Before the procedure, we will give you the Informed Consent form, a document with important information that you must read and sign. 

If your appointment is for an MRI, it is crucial that you inform us about the presence of pacemakers, metallic objects, prostheses (including dental prostheses), tattoos, or drug infusion devices such as insulin pumps. 

These diagnostic tests are very safe, but as with any medical procedure, there is still the unlikely possibility of an incident.