[Botulinum toxin in the elderly to the care of limbs spastic hypertonia and toes or fingers dystonias].

Objective: To show the botulinum toxin interest and limits in the elderly presenting a limbs spastic hypertonia and/or a dystonia, through a clinical study and a literature review.
Method: We report a 6 years and 8 months retrospective single center study, concerning 49 patients, all of them was more than 70 years old and had received one or several botulinum toxin injections for a limbs spastic hypertonia and/or a dystonia.
Results: The population average was 76,9 years old (70 to 92 years old). It was possible to realize several sessions for the same patient if respecting a three months interval between two sessions. No major side effects was noticed. More than half of the patients felt a significant improvement of their life quality, their functional status and/or on pain. A multidisciplinary care was systematically associated with the botulinum toxin.
Conclusion: The botulinum toxin is an additional asset for the spasticity care of the geriatric patient in rehabilitation, if indications and contraindications are advisedly targeted. The age cannot be considered as a limitating factor.