J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2010 Sep;48(3):236-239. 10.3340/jkns.2010.48.3.236.

Selective Musculocutaneous Neurotomy for Spastic Elbow

• Shin DK
• Jung YJ
• Hong JC
• Kim MS
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2066811
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2010.48.3.236

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and outcome of selective musculocutaneous neurotomy (SMcN) for spastic elbow.
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 14 patients with spasticity of their elbows. The patients were selected using clinical and analytical scales, as well as nerve block tests, for assessment. Their mean age was 37.29 years (range, 19-63 years). SMcN was performed for these patients, and the mean follow-up period was 30.71 months (range, 19-54 months).
RESULTS
The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scores recorded before and after the SMcN showed that the patients' mean preoperative MAS score of 3.28 +/- 0.12 was improved to 1.71 +/- 0.12, 1.78 +/- 0.18, 1.92 +/- 0.16 and 1.78 +/- 0.18 at postoperative 3, 6, 12 months and last follow-up, respectively. On the basis of a visual analogue score ranging from 0-100, the patients' mean degree of satisfaction score was 65.00 +/- 16.52 (range, 30-90).
CONCLUSION
We believe that SMcN can be a good and effective treatment modality with low morbidity in appropriately selected patients who have localized spastic elbow with good antagonist muscles and without joint contracture.

Keyword

Elbow; Muscle spasticity; Musculocutaneous nerve; Neurotomy; Surgical procedure

MeSH Terms

Contracture
Elbow
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Joints
Medical Records
Muscle Spasticity
Muscles
Musculocutaneous Nerve
Nerve Block
Retrospective Studies
Weights and Measures