The Botulinum clinic at Shaare Zedek Medical Center is unique in Israel, as some of the treatments are performed with ultrasound guidance, ensuring optimal injection accuracy. This approach results in the highest injection efficiency and the lowest incidence of side effects, compared to treatments without guidance or with EMG needle assistance.
Dr. Gilad Yahalom was a pioneer in the field of movement disorders, being the first to inject botulinum with ultrasound guidance. Since then, he has gained significant expertise and experience in this treatment.
Botulinum treatment is offered for the following conditions:
• Hemifacial spasm (HFS) – A highly distressing condition that causes significant social embarrassment. Botulinum injections into the affected facial muscles have been proven to be the most effective treatment for this disorder.
• Post-Bell's palsy synkinesis – Similar to HFS, this condition causes social discomfort and can be greatly relieved by botulinum injections.
• Blepharospasm – Involuntary eye closure movements resembling tics. This condition responds very well to botulinum treatment.
• Cervical dystonia – An involuntary head posture that can cause social discomfort, tremors, discomfort, and pain. This disorder is significantly alleviated with botulinum therapy.
• Spasticity after a stroke – The injection reduces the involuntary activity in the arm, relaxing it. Botulinum injections in the arm can reduce pain, help open a clenched fist, restore partial hand functionality, and/or prevent tendon shortening due to chronic spasticity.
Botulinum toxin is also used for disorders not covered by the healthcare basket, with high efficacy, including:
• Excessive salivation – Injections into the salivary glands.
• Tics – If the tics involve one or a few muscle groups, injections into the affected muscles can be highly effective, such as eye or neck tics.
• Spasticity in the arm(s) unrelated to a stroke, or in the leg(s).
• Limb dystonia.
• Jaw dystonia or bruxism.
