[Partial blocking of the tibial nerve with phenol as treatment of gait disorders due to pes equinus in central paralysis].

Partial chemical neurolysis by means of a peripheral nerve block induced with a phenol solution can result in decreasing local muscle hypertonia of central origin. In case of a walking disability resulting from a spastic or dystonic equinovarus position of the ankle the phenol block of the tibial nerve may be a valuable treatment that improves walking ability. The technique of the procedure is explained. A phenol block is induced only after a favourable result of a trial block with a local anaesthetic. In the group of 19 patients who underwent tibial nerve block given by the author in the period 1987-1989 there appears to exist a correlation between the functional results and the extent to which the patient had been active in walking prior to the nerve block. A group of 6 'sitters' and 'hardly walking' patients had poor to moderate results, a group of 13 'walkers' had moderate, good and excellent results. The difference in functional outcome is ascribed by the author to a better possibility to actually utilise a muscular balance improved by the phenol block. In the early--recovery--phase of stroke rehabilitation a phenol block of the tibial nerve may well be useful in cases with equinovarus position of the ankle which interferes with therapeutic exercise and functional progress.