Botulinum toxin injected intramuscularly is beneficial in the management of spasticity and as a treatment for chronic hip pain in children with cerebral palsy. Botulinum injections also seem to be useful in reducing spasticity in the acute post operative period; the benefits of botulinum toxin have been described in one study for post-operative pain following minor hip surgery. After major (bony) hip surgery these children experience significantly more pain, which also seems to be exacerbated by spasticity. Botulinum toxin may therefore reduce pain following major hip surgery. Research is required to assess its value in this setting. This cannot be studied in adults as they rarely undergo such surgery.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the commonest cause of physical disability in childhood, it affects up to 3 children per 1000 throughout Europe (1;2). The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was designed for children and describes their level of motor skill (3). Over 25% of children with CP probably fall in the more severely affected groups - GMFCS levels IV and V. These children are not independently ambulant and are more likely to have cognitive and communication difficulties. They are at high risk of developing hip displacement (ie the hip gradually comes out of its socket) (4-10). Previous studies suggest that up to half of these hips are painful and it is well-established that hip displacement is painful for some children (14-18). Prevention of painful hip displacement has been advocated through screening programmes and timely surgical intervention (11-13). Some children need bony reconstructive surgery. Long term follow up studies have demonstrated that this maintains the position of the femoral head in the acetabulum over time, reducing the likelihood of a painful hip due to dislocation (9;10).
The management of pain in the severely neurologically impaired child undergoing hip (or any other) surgery is challenging and various strategies have been employed, including the use of post-operative epidurals. In a child with spasticity abnormally high post-operative muscle tone may be a cause painful muscle spasms. These involuntary and sustained muscle contractions are thought to contribute significantly to pain in children with cerebral palsy and a hip problem. There are a number of treatments available for muscle spasm in cerebral palsy; all are systemic except botulinum toxin which targets individual muscles by means of intramuscular injection. Botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injection is a well established, clinically effective and safe treatment for muscle spasticity in CP (2;19;20). Research suggests it may have a beneficial effect in reducing pain due to spasticity (18). Graham and co-workers established that BTXA was safe in the perioperative period for children with cerebral palsy undergoing soft tissue surgery for a hip problem. Lundy and Fairhurst demonstrated BTXA is safe and effective in children with severe cerebral palsy, GMFCS IV\&V when doses are given in line with the European Consensus guidelines. (24) Work on pain in children with CP suggests that anxiety and unrelieved pain may stimulate the autonomic nervous system in such a way that these children may actually have an amplified pain response when undergoing surgical procedures. Actions such as stretching muscles in a cast or for rehabilitation exercises may exacerbate spasms and therefore increase pain (8;17;21).
Describing pain in children with cognitive impairment however is challenging. Studies have focused on the report of pain symptoms, duration, intensity and analgesia requirements. Hunt et al provided a validated pain profile questionnaire which objectively measures pain in the more severely neurologically affected group of children with communication difficulties (22). The investigators have gained experience using this Paediatric Pain Profile to describe levels of pain in this group of children. It is a validated and user friendly system, already in place at this institution.
