Ultrasound and Peripheral Nerve Stimulator Guided Femoral Nerve Block

Study Design: A pre-post descriptive study was performed. Objectives: To examine the immediate effects of ultrasound (US) guided femoral nerve block with phenol (UGFNBwP) in managing lower limb spasticity of individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Ankara, Turkey Methods: Nineteen patients with traumatic SCI presenting with lower extremity spasticity were treated with UGFNBwP. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of hip flexion and knee extension, functional independence measure (FIM) motor subscale, difficulty of catheterization (DoC), hygiene score (HS), spasm frequency (SF), sleep quality (SQ) and patient satisfaction (PS) were measured in all patients prior to treatment, at first week and second month.

Inclusion criteria

• Traumatic etiology
• Duration of spinal cord injury more than twelve months
• Spasticity of hip flexor and/or knee extensor muscle
• Use of any oral medications to reduce spasticity at stable doses for at least one month before first assessment
• The patients have to accept to continue same dose until end of the last assessment
• Medical clearance to participate

Exclusion criteria

• Having established contracture of the knee/hip joint
• Aged over 65 years
• History of surgery for knee/hip disorders
• Non-traumatic etiology