[Neuro-orthopedic and muscle tonus disorders in patients with spinal cord injuries]

Heterotropic ossifications and contractures are frequent during evolution of spinal cord injury. Heterotopic ossifications occur in the first months following the acute state. Hip is the most common localisation. No preventive or curative treatment is available. At an early stage, clinical or instrumental (sonographic) diagnosis may prevent functional consequences. Muscular disbalance, incomplete physiotherapy, tonus disorders lead to contractures of limbs or trunk. They may have severe consequences on activities of dairy living. Surgical procedures may be necessary. Tonus disorders may resist to usual drugs. In this cases, intrathecal infusion of baclofen, injection of botulinus toxin, neurosurgery of orthopedic surgery may be useful.