Botox Could Do Much More Than Get Rid of Wrinkles

According to Pharmacy Times, Botox may be useful for more than just reducing wrinkles.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of Botox treatments to aid adults suffering from lower limb spasticity. This injectable effectively reduces muscle stiffness in ankles and toe muscles to lessen pain.

In March of 2010, Botox was approved for upper limb spasticity which causes rigidity in elbows, wrists, and fingers.

Botox is now the first and only FDA-approved neurotoxin treatment for both upper and lower limb spasticity.

“Spasticity is a debilitating condition that can have a significant impact on patients’ lives, compromising their ability to perform a range of daily activities,” said Mitchell Brin, the senior vice president of Global Development and scientific officer for Botox.

The FDA’s decision was based on a recent study involving 400 patients with lower limb spasticity who had previously suffered a stroke.

However, because Botox hasn’t proven to help with performing tasks, it should not be used to completely replace physical therapy.

“This FDA approval marks our continued commitment to partnering with scientists and researchers around the world to explore the potential benefits of Botox in treating specific medical conditions,” continued Mitchell.

While currently the only ones with easy access to this treatment are adults, Galway Independent of Ireland reports that a fundraising campaign has been launched to open a children’s Botox clinic in Galway.

Enable Ireland, an organization that offers aid to children and adults with disabilities, would also like to administer injections to locals suffering from spasticity, a common symptom of Cerebral Palsy; in this case, for kids and adolescents.

“The main reason we want to set a clinic up in Galway is because we don’t want our children or our families having to make the trip to Dublin on a monthly or on an eight-weekly basis because as it is they have a disability so the travelling time and the stress that that causes families is a lot to ask,” said Fundraising Manager with Enable Ireland, Sharon Meehan.

Not only is the condition very painful for them, but it also inhibits normal movements, speech, and gait.

If Botox injection treatments are started at an early age, they have shown to be effective in preventing the development of muscle contractions and bone deformities.

“Botox, due to its unique specificity at the nerve muscle synapse and safety, can be used to treat frown lines, crow’s feet lines, excessive sweating, and headaches. Other uses other than spasticity include correction of facial asymmetry after Bell’s Palsy on the face,” said Dr. Janis P. Campbell, Dermatologist at Laser Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa of Calgary.