Phenol Neurolysis for the Management of Shoulder Spasticity in Early Recovery From Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Report.

Abstract

This case describes a 16-year-old boy who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. The patient gradually recovered but developed debilitating spasticity mainly in left triceps muscle, abnormal positioning of shoulder girdle complex, and shoulder pain. Phenol (6%) was injected to axillary and radial nerves under the guidance of electrical stimulation and ultrasound imaging at 10 weeks after the initial injury. After injection, triceps spasticity and shoulder pain were immediately reduced, and abnormal positions of shoulder girdle complex and elbow joint gradually returned to functional limits over 2 weeks. This case suggests that phenol neurolysis for spasticity management in early recovery could yield functional recovery.Level of Evidence: V.