Spasticity of the brachioradialis developed in three adolescent boys
after an episode of intracranial bleeding. The spasticity resulted in
paradoxical contraction of the muscle during attempted active extension of
the elbow. The flexed posture of the elbow was both dysfunctional and
embarrassing to the patient. A block of the radial nerve with lidocaine at
the mid-humeral level confirmed the diagnosis of paradoxical spasticity.
After denervation of the brachioradialis, the ability to extend the elbow
markedly improved, and the improvement was maintained at the time of
follow-up which ranged from two to five years.