Segmental reflex therapy for neurogenic contractures— a clinical study

Abstract

The relaxation of spastic contracted muscles by the application of topical anaesthesia with benzocaine solution to the overlying skin was described by Sabbahi et al. in 1981, but was not confirmed by other authors. In 1989, Wolf and Minsk challenged Sabbahi et al.'s findings, bringing controversy to the subject. In this study, topical anaesthesia was repeated with one important modification: benzocaine was applied not only to the skin overlying the muscle, but segmentally to the entire dermatome, including the paravertebral area. The observed effect was seen in muscular relaxation at least equal to that described by Sabbahi et al., but surpassing it by far in duration. Case presentations are given. Segmental anaesthesia of the skin using the dermatomo-myotomic reflex is a simple and efficient procedure which deserves to be accepted in the management of neurogenic contractures.