Yonsei Med J.  2004 Aug;45(4):743-747. 10.3349/ymj.2004.45.4.743.

The Effect of Selective Tibial Neurotomy and Rehabilitation in a Quadriplegic Patient with Ankle Spasticity Following Traumatic Brain Injury

• Jang SH
• Park SM
• Kim SH
• Ahn SH
• Cho YW
• Ahn MO

• KMID: 721430
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2004.45.4.743

Abstract

Ankle spasticity following brain injury leads to abnormal posture and joint contracture; making standing or walking impossible. This study investigates the efficacy of selective tibial neurotomy (STN) and intensive rehabilitation in a patient who suffered ankle spasticity after brain injury. This case describes a 37-year-old man whose traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulted in severe right ankle spasticity and contracture. He was unable to stand due to severe right ankle spasticity and contracture. Intensive rehabilitation and STN allowed him to walk without brace at 6 months and run at 12 months after STN. STN is an effective procedure to resolve localized spasticity of the ankle and it may be considered as a management strategy after local injection to alleviate ankle spasticity and/or contracture prior to orthopaedic surgery.

Keyword

Ankle spasticity; contracture; brain injury; selective tibial neurotomy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Ankle Joint/innervation
Brain Injuries/*complications
Contracture/etiology/rehabilitation/surgery
Humans
Male
Muscle Spasticity/etiology/*rehabilitation/*surgery
Quadriplegia/*complications/*rehabilitation/surgery
Recovery of Function
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Tibial Nerve/physiopathology/*surgery
Walking