METHOD AND MEDICAL PACKAGE FOR REPAIRING TENDONS BY SURGERY

摘要

A method of repairing tendons (2, 7) by surgery, and a method of preparing a patient for such surgery, are provided in which the muscle (3, 8) associated with the tendon to be repaired is treated with a predetermined dose of a neurotoxin, typically botulinum toxin, sufficient to effectively cause temporary paralysis of the muscle. Any other muscle inextricably linked to that tendon may also be subjected to temporary paralysis. A sufficient period of time is allowed to elapse to enable said temporary paralysis of the muscle or muscles to set in prior to performing the necessary repair surgery on the relevant tendon in substantially conventional manner. The temporary paralysis of the relevant muscle or muscles obviates the necessity for postoperative immobilisation, typically by a sling or plaster cast, and ensures that the patient is not able to contract the relevant muscles during rehabilitation thereby possibly deleteriously affecting the repair. A medical package and neurotoxin for use in such a method are also provided.