Botulinum toxin for amelioration of knee contracture in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

An 11-year-old non-ambulant boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy developed tightness in his left knee flexors, which caused difficulties in standing exercises. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) was injected into the medial and lateral hamstring muscles and the range of motion increased by 20 degrees but after 5 months, when the pharmacological effect of BTX-A had vanished, an increase of only 5 degrees in range compared with the initial finding was left. It is concluded that there may be a role for BTX-A in controlling contractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.