[Botulinum toxin in the elderly to the care of limbs spastic hypertonia and toes or fingers dystonias].

OBJECTIVE

To show the botulinum toxin interest and limits in the elderly presenting a limbs spastic hypertonia and/or a dystonia, through a clinical study and a literature review.

METHOD: We report a 6 years and 8 months retrospective single center study, concerning 49 patients, all of them was more than 70 years old and had received one or several botulinum toxin injections for a limbs spastic hypertonia and/or a dystonia.

RESULTS

The population average was 76,9 years old (70 to 92 years old). It was possible to realize several sessions for the same patient if respecting a three months interval between two sessions. No major side effects was noticed. More than half of the patients felt a significant improvement of their life quality, their functional status and/or on pain. A multidisciplinary care was systematically associated with the botulinum toxin.

CONCLUSION

The botulinum toxin is an additional asset for the spasticity care of the geriatric patient in rehabilitation, if indications and contraindications are advisedly targeted. The age cannot be considered as a limitating factor.