BOTOX to treat arthritis??

New studies show that maybe Botulinium type A (Botox) may help pain and function of arthritic patients. There was a study conducted in 2006 published in Neurotoxicity Research that tested Botox injection efficacy among 11 patients with different forms of arthritis. The subject group was given one or more Botox injections within the afflicted joint, and then followed for a year post-treatment. 

All 11 participants reported improvements of pain and function, these results differing among patients, with different degree of improvements anywhere from three to twelve months afterward. However, there was no placebo test group, and the amount of injection was not standardized, leading to more studies to further investigate. The treatment seems promising, as no patient trial was complicated with adverse effects. 

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota is beginning a trial to test the results of Botox injections of arthritic knees. Because Botox has been proven to paralyze muscle and nerve endings, there is a great chance that it may help subside severe pain in patients who no longer respond to cortisone treatments. Actually, several Botox trials are being looked into for pain and inflammation relief, so who knows what will happen!