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Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
By Mayo Clinic staff
- With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
April Chang-Miller, M.D.
Dr. April Chang-Miller is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and is a consultant in the Division of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
Dr. Chang-Miller's primary field is rheumatology with special interests in inflammatory joint diseases called seronegative spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. She also cares for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
The New York City native is a graduate of the Yale University School of Medicine and had been with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., between 1991 and 2002 when she relocated to Mayo Clinic, Arizona. She is a fellow in the American College of Rheumatology and has been on the board of directors of the Arthritis Foundation North Central Chapter.
Definition (1)
- 'Degenerative changes' in the spine: Is this arthritis?
Complications (2)
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs?
Treatments and drugs (5)
- Arthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
- Prednisone withdrawal: What are the symptoms?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (4)
- MSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Water exercise for arthritis: Does pool temperature matter?
- Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine (3)
- Yucca: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
- Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
- Glucosamine supplements: Can they rebuild cartilage?
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Question
Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
Can Botox injections relieve arthritis pain?
Answer
from April Chang-Miller, M.D.
It's unclear whether Botox injections are effective for arthritis pain, but early studies are promising.
Botulinum toxin type A is produced by a specific bacterium that causes the food poisoning botulism. Botox — the brand name for medicinal botulinum toxin type A — is the purified low-concentration form of the toxin. When injected in small doses into specific muscles, Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract.
So far, participants in various studies have reported improvement in arthritis pain and function after Botox injections. There's much left to learn about the possible role of Botox injections in arthritis treatment, however. While research continues, proven treatment options — such as exercise, weight loss and medication — remain the focus of most arthritis treatment plans.
Next questionPrednisone withdrawal: What are the symptoms?
- Goyal N. Intra-articular knee joint Botox injection for chronic osteoarthritic pain. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 2008;36:123.
- Mahowald ML, et al. Long term effects of intra-articular botulinum toxin A for refractory joint pain. Neurotoxicity Research. 2006;9:179.
- Dykstra DD, et al. The effects of intra-articular botulinum toxin on sacroiliac, cervical/lumbar facet and sternoclavicular joint pain and C-2 root and lumbar disc pain: A case series of 11 patients. The Pain Clinic. 2007;19:27.
