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Botox spinal jabs could be an effective pain killer

Botox spinal jabs could be an effective pain killer

Mumbai Mirror Bureau mirrorfeedback@indiatimes.com


Botulinum neurotoxin type A – better known as Botox – reduces responses to an inflammationrelated pain when injected into the spinal canal in mice, reports a study in the January issue of Anesthesia and Analgesia.
"Botox may be a useful analgesic in inflammatory pain," according to the new research, led by Won-Ho Lee, of Seoul National University.
The researchers used a standard experimental model of pain in mice to examine the effects of spinal botox injection.
In this model, a chemical called formalin is injected into the paw, producing a predictable two-phase inflammatory pain response.
Pain behaviours were monitored for up to four weeks in mice that did and did not receive spinal Botulinum neurotoxin.
Even a single spinal injection of Botulinum neurotoxin produced a pain-reducing effect: mice receiving the injection exhibited significantly fewer pain behaviours, particularly during the second phase of the pain response.
These effects were not accompanied by any movement abnormalities, suggesting that Botulinum neurotoxininjection did not adversely affect spinal cord function.
The pain-reducing effect of a single injection of Botulinum neurotoxin peaked at 10 days, then decreased up to 14 days.
Mice treated with Botulinum neurotoxin also had significant reductions in certain neurotransmitters involved in various types of pain conditions.
“This study draws attention to the many unexplored therapeutic avenues to help us control chronic pain,” says Steven Shafer, Editor-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia.
“Only by finding new approaches to attenuating pain transmission can we create therapeutic options to free future generations from the scourge of chronic pain.”

Yoga & Knee Rplacements

STRETCH AT YOUR RISK


Yoga can tear your knee joints: Docs




New Delhi:If you are performing yoga on a regular basis, here is a word of caution from orthopaedic surgeons. Health studies show that certain exercises can cause wear and tear of bone joints forcing people to undergo surgeries.
“Studies have shown that deep knee bends can lead to wear and tear of the knee joints ultimately calling for a knee replacement surgery,” Dr Ashok Rajgopal, chairman of the Bone and Joint Institute in Medanta-The Medicity, said.
“Many yoga gurus have undergone knee replacement surgeries with us because of this excess wear and tear,” he said. Each time a person conducts deep knee bends he is actually dislocating the joints that puts pressure on them, the doctor explained. “This is witnessed among yogic gurus while doing vajrasana.”
Even patients who have opted for total knee replacement have complained of difficulty in walking or bending the knee post surgery. So experts have now come up with ‘customized knee joint replacement’ that promises to ease all discomfort associated with it.
“The standard implant used earlier would not replicate the original bone that existed before surgery. Ultimately, the alignment of the hip, knee and the ankle necessary for comfortable walking does not happen,” Dr Naresh Trehan said.
“Customized knee joint is a success because it is a carbon copy or the identical reproduction of the original joint. It is of exact size, shape and fits into the position of the lost joint bones. This gives good alignment and there are no post-surgery complaints,” the Medanta chairman and managing director said.

AGENCIES :The Times of India Thursday 23rd December 2010