Neurolysis of the musculocutaneous nerve with alcohol to treat poststroke elbow flexor spasticity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of alcohol in neurolysis of the musculocutaneous nerve for the treatment of elbow flexor spasticity in individuals with a stroke.

DESIGN

Case series.

SETTING

Outpatient clinic of a tertiary rehabilitation facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty patients with a mean age of 62.8 years and poststroke duration of 12.3 months with elbow flexor spasticity.

INTERVENTION: Musculocutaneous nerve block of the hemiplegic upper extremity with 50% ethyl alcohol.

OUTCOME MEASURES: The severity of spasticity as assessed by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score and the elbow passive range of motion (PROM).

RESULTS

The mean baseline MAS score was 3.7 +/- 0.6, and this improved to 1.7 +/- 1.0, 2.0 +/- 0.8, and 2.1 +/- 0.8 at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postneurolysis, respectively. The elbow PROM was 87.3 degrees +/- 20.2 degrees, 104.3 degrees +/- 20.1 degrees, 103.8 degrees +/- 18.9 degrees, and 101.6 degrees +/- 19.7 degrees, respectively. These improvements were statistically significant (p < .05). Four subjects had concomitant improvement of finger flexor spasticity and another four had relief of shoulder pain. Three subjects developed temporary dysesthetic pain over the lateral forearm.

CONCLUSION

Neurolysis of the musculocutaneous nerve with alcohol provides good relief of elbow flexion spasticity in hemiplegic individuals.