Botox injections: Can they relieve arthritis pain?

I read somewhere that Botox injections can relieve arthritis pain. Is this true?

- Mary / Canada

Answer

It's unclear at this time. One very small study suggested that injections with Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) may improve pain and function in people with arthritis. However, much more research is needed to evaluate this finding.

The study, which published in Neurotoxicity Research in April 2006, evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Botox injections in 11 people with different types of arthritis. Study participants received one or more Botox injections in their affected joints. Researchers then followed participants for one year or longer.

The study reported improvements in pain and function in all participants. However, the duration of these benefits varied from three to 12 months. The treatment was not compared with a placebo and the dosage of botulinum toxin A was not standardized.

Although the results are promising and no adverse reactions were reported, much larger, controlled and randomized trials would be needed to determine the safety and possible benefit of Botox injections for arthritis.

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