Targeted and Sequential Cryoneurolysis Improves Gait After Botulinum-Toxin Unresponsiveness in Post-Stroke Spasticity: A Laboratory-Verified Case

TL;DR

Cryoneurolysis improved gait in a post-stroke patient who no longer responded to botulinum toxin, working well with implanted electrical stimulation.

Contribution

Demonstrates targeted cryoneurolysis as a safe, effective alternative to botulinum toxin for post-stroke spasticity.

Findings

Cryoneurolysis reduced muscle overactivity and improved gait metrics like ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion.

Gait Deviation Index and Gillette Gait Index showed significant improvement after treatment.

Cryoneurolysis was well-tolerated and compatible with implanted functional electrical stimulation.

Abstract

Background: Chronic post-stroke spasticity often limits gait despite best-practice botulinum-toxin intramuscular injections (BTIs), whose benefit is constrained by short duration, dose ceilings, and tachyphylaxis. Cryoneurolysis (CNL) induces a reversible axonotmesis with preserved endoneurium, potentially providing longer tone reduction with fewer adverse effects, but its impact on whole-gait quality and its compatibility with implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) remain poorly documented. Case presentation: A 43-year-old man, 12 years after right middle cerebral artery stroke, walked independently with an implanted common peroneal FES system but complained of effortful gait with left-knee “locking” and drop foot without FES. Multiple BTI series to triceps surae and quadriceps yielded only transient benefit. Two ultrasound-guided CNL sessions targeted tibial (soleus, medial gastrocnemius) and femoral (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius) motor branches. Quantitative gait analysis and fine-wire electromyography (EMG) were performed at baseline, 6 weeks after each CNL, and at 6 months, with and without FES. CNL produced immediate and sustained reductions in triceps surae and quadriceps overactivity, resolution of genu recurvatum, normalization of stiff-knee gait, improved ankle dorsiflexion, and increased swing phase knee flexion (>50°). Gait Deviation Index rose from 69 to 80 and Gillette Gait Index decreased by more than 50%, with preserved strength and without adverse events. Conclusions: Targeted, sequential CNL of tibial and femoral motor branches can safely deliver durable, clinically meaningful gait improvements when BTI has reached its ceiling and can act synergistically with implanted FES. Quantitative gait analysis and EMG sharpen clinical decision-making in spasticity management.

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