Hand botox - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

alinch · 06-15-2004, 11:27 PM

I research a lot of information about botox for CP, but usually it is on bigger muscles such as the calf or hamstring. My PT is advising botox for my son's thumbs. He is 23 months old. His thumbs are tucked into his palm. He can bring them out but not all the way and usually he doesn't. I didn't know if anyone had an experiance with botox used for smaller muscles such as this.
Anything could help me make a choice for my son.
Thank you

Zagreus · 06-16-2004, 06:33 AM

My son had botox therapy for his forearm and hand. It worked very well. The trick, of course, is to have intensive therapy sessions for several weeks following the injections. Good luck!

lastramy · 06-16-2004, 06:32 PM

As far as I know botox can be administered in just about any muscle group.
I have had the calf muscles, hamstrings, adductors, iliopsoas (in the hip), and I even had ine in a small muscle in the lower leg (posterior tibialis) to help my foot that was turning in. I don't see why it couldn' be done (in the thumbs). The trick to making it work is that once it is in you need to use it alot. Have him open his thumb up every chance he can. The botox weakens the muscles by inhibiting the nerves ability to tell the muscles to contract. Once this is achieved it allows for more movement and thus a chance for the thumb to get strengthened. In my case I am not getting that small muscle in my leg injected anymore because I am not turning my foot in as much as I was before. Botox is not permanent either just so you know. The nerves will regain thier ability to inhibit that acetylcholine and the muscles can tighten up again so repeat injections may be necessary. It all depends on how he does with the first try.

I hope this helped some.
Good luck

Lastramy