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Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/botox-injections/AN01520
- 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 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 School of Medicine. Dr. Chang-Miller joined the Mayo Clinic staff in Rochester, Minn., in 1991, and in 2002 she relocated to Mayo Clinic in 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 lungs?
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes?
Treatments and drugs (6)
- Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?
- Arthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies (5)
- Rheumatoid arthritis diet: Do certain foods reduce symptoms?
- MSM for arthritis pain: Is it safe?
- Glucosamine: Does it affect blood sugar?
- see all in Lifestyle and home remedies
Alternative medicine (3)
- Glucosamine: Does it protect cartilage in osteoarthritis?
- Yucca: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
- Mangosteen juice: Can it relieve arthritis pain?
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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.
In early studies, Botox injections appear to reduce arthritis pain in the shoulder, knee and hip. These results are promising, but they fall short of proving that Botox injections are an effective treatment for arthritis pain.
Botox is the brand name for onabotulinumtoxinA — the pharmaceutical form of botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is produced by the bacterium that causes the food poisoning botulism. 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 questionArthritis pain medications: Do they raise blood pressure?
- Singh JA, et al. Botulinum toxin for shoulder pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010:CD008271.
- Mahowald ML, et al. Intra-articular botulinum toxin type A: A new approach to treat arthritis joint pain. Toxicon. 2009;54:658.
- Marchini C, et al. Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A treatment of functional impairment of degenerative hip joint: Preliminary results. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2010;42:691.
- Boon AJ, et al. Efficacy of intra-articular botulinum toxin type A in painful knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study. PM&R. 2010;2:268.
- Singh JA, et al. Intra-articular botulinum toxin A for refractory shoulder pain: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Translational Research. 2009;153:205.
- Brooks GF, et al. Spore-forming gram-positive bacilli: Bacillus & clostridium species. In: Brooks GF, et al, eds. Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology. 25th ed. New York, N.Y: The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6427523. Accessed Jan. 10, 2011.
- Botox (prescribing information). Irvine, Calif.: Allergan Inc.; 2009. http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/botox_cosmetic_pi.pdf. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
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