[Spasticity treated with selective posterior rhizotomy].
BACKGROUND: Spasticity is often seen in patients with central nervous lesions. Some patients with severe spasticity are not optimally treated with physiotherapy and medication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a case history of a 41-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis and severe painful spasticity in her lower limbs. Her spasticity did not respond to treatment with physiotherapy, spasmolytic medication, botulinum toxin A, intrathecal baclofen or epidural spinal cord stimulation. RESULT: The patient was treated with selective posterior rhizotomy S1-L1. Section of 60% of the rootlets on the right side and 40% on left the side resulted in a good outcome with less spasticity and pain. Finally her contractures were treated with tenotomy and myotomy, also with good functional result. INTERPRETATION: Patients suffering from severe painful spasticity and who do not respond to physiotherapy in combination with other spasmolytic medication should be considered for surgical treatment. In some patients posterior rhizotomy is the treatment of choice.