Journal Article

Innovative Management of Spastic Shoulder Contractures: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Combined Percutaneous Cryoneurolysis and Tenotomy

MacRae, Fraser, David, Romain, Herzog, Samuel, Winston, Paul, Hashemi, Mahdis, Billot, Maxime

2026

Overview

Shoulder spasticity is a common consequence of upper motor neuron lesions and may be associated with soft tissue contractures, limiting functional recovery. While both cryoneurolysis and tendon lengthening procedures are used individually in refractory cases, their combined effect has not been clearly established. It is consequently necessary to assess the efficacy of combining cryoneurolysis and percutaneous pectoral tenotomy in reducing shoulder spasticity and improving passive range of motion in patients with refractory shoulder spasticity and contracture. This retrospective, single-centre cohort study included 15 adults (≥19 years) with chronic shoulder spasticity and clinically confirmed musculotendinous contracture, previously treated with botulinum toxin injections without sufficient functional response, and free of pharmacological effects (last injection >4 months prior). All patients underwent cryoneurolysis targeting motor branches to the pectoral muscles. Outcomes included Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and shoulder Passive Range Of Motion (PROM). The combined approach provided significant improvements in spasticity severity for shoulder flexion (p < 0.01) and abduction (p < 0.01), and significant improvements in maximum PROM for shoulder flexion (p < 0.0001) and abduction (p < 0.0001). Combining cryoneurolysis and pectoral tenotomy appears feasible, safe, and clinically beneficial in selected patients with both spasticity and tendon contracture. Cryoneurolysis addresses the neural component, while tenotomy may restore mechanical excursion. This sequential diagnostic and therapeutic approach may enhance personalized management of mixed spastic–contracture shoulder limitations and could be applicable to other joints.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Adult / Aged / Botulinum toxin / cerebral palsy / Contracture - physiopathology / Contracture - surgery / Contracture - therapy / cryoneurolysis / Cryosurgery / Female / Hematoma / Humans / Male / Middle Aged / multiple sclerosis / Muscle Spasticity - physiopathology / Muscle Spasticity - surgery / Muscle Spasticity - therapy / Muscles / Patients / Quality of life / Range of motion / Range of Motion, Articular / Recovery of function / Retrospective Studies / Shoulder / Shoulder - physiopathology / Shoulder Joint - physiopathology / Shoulder Joint - surgery / Soft tissues / Spasticity / Stroke / Tendons / tenotomy / Tenotomy - methods / Toxins / Treatment Outcome