Botox for Arthritis

The jury still is somewhat undecided about whether Botox can relieve the pain of arthritis, although it appears promising. Dr. April Chang-Miller, a Mayo Clinic rheumatologist, explains that those who have undergone Botox treatment for arthritis reported some improvement in motor function as well as less pain.

Identification

• Botox is botulinum toxin type A, which causes botulism (food poisoning.) Botox is a low-concentrated and purified form of the toxin. When Botox is injected into specific muscles it blocks the chemical signals that cause that particular muscle to contract.

Benefits

• Dr. Nathan Wei, a board-certified rheumatologist, reports on Athritis-treatment-and-relief.com that intra-articular injections of the toxin can improve function and decrease refractory joint pain. The findings were first reported in 2004 at the American College of Rheumatology.

How It Works

• The medical community isn't completely certain how Botox injections help relieve arthritic pain, but it is believed that Botox inhibits the release of neuropeptides that are involved in the production and the transmission of pain. Neuropeptides are produced in the cells of the brain, and they can be either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory. Of course, anti-inflammatory is preferred. Neuropeptides control energy levels, pain and pleasure reception, mood, ability to solve problems, body weight and help regulate our immune system as well as allow us to form memories, according to Neuropeptides.net.

Concerns Unwarranted

• Giving Botox injections to arthritic patients did not result in tenderness, joint swelling, fatigue, erythema (redness of the skin due to congested capillaries), dyspnea (labored or difficult breathing or shortness of breath) or fatigue, which was a concern because Botox is used "off label" when given for this purpose. Off-label means that a drug is approved for another purpose.

Potential

• John Hopkins Medicine explains that decreases in pain have been shown when Botox is given and notes that these injections may replace oral medications as the preferred treatment for refractory joint paint. In addition, Botox may delay or negate the need for knee surgery.

Benefits

• Botox has been used successfully to relieve neck and low back disorders. It seems to work by eliminating muscle spasms, particularly when a patient is suffering from osteoarthritis. Research presented to the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. in 2006 reported that Botox may ease knee pain in osteoarthritis sufferers, according to the Arthritis Foundation. However, additional studies are needed to determine the precise amount of toxin that should be given in the joint injections and what the appropriate intervals for dosing should be, according to Dr. Maren L. Mahowald, the Rheumatology Section chief of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and principal investigator for the study reported in 2006.