Is the Outcome of Diagnostic Nerve Block Related to Spastic Muscle Echo Intensity? A Retrospective Observational Study on Patients with Spastic Equinovarus Foot.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between spastic calf muscles echo intensity and the outcome of tibial nerve motor branches selective block in patients with spastic equinovarus foot.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PATIENTS

Forty-eight patients with spastic equinovarus foot.

METHODS

Each patient was given selective diagnostic nerve block (lidocaine 2% perineural injection) of the tibial nerve motor branches. All patients were evaluated before and after block. Outcomes were: spastic calf muscles echo intensity measured with the Heckmatt scale; affected ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion; calf muscles spasticity measured with the modified Ashworth scale and the Tardieu scale (grade and angle).

RESULTS

Regarding the outcome of tibial nerve selective diagnostic block (difference between pre- and post-block condition), Spearman's correlation showed a significant inverse association of the spastic calf muscles echo intensity with the affected ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (p = 0.045; ρ = 00-0.269), modified Ashworth scale score (p = 0.014; ρ = -0.327), Tardieu grade (p = 0.008; ρ = -0.352) and Tardieu angle (p = 0.043; ρ = -0.306).

CONCLUSION

These findings support the hypothesis that patients with spastic equinovarus foot with higher spastic calf muscles echo intensity have a poor response to selective nerve block of the tibial nerve motor branches.