We assess and manage adults with focal or multifocal spasticity associated with neurological conditions.
Key points
- This clinic is MBS (Medicare) billed
- The first appointment is usually via Telehealth video call
- Botulinum toxin procedures are performed in person
- This clinic is led by a Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist
What we do
We assess and manage adults with focal or multifocal spasticity associated with neurological conditions.
Treatment options may include:
- Botulinum toxin injections
- Oral medications
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Stretching and positioning programs
- Splinting, orthoses or serial casting
- Referral for other specialist spasticity treatments where appropriate
Botulinum toxin treatment
Botulinum toxin injections may be offered where there are appropriate focal treatment targets and clear treatment goals, such as improving function, mobility, positioning, hygiene, ease of care or comfort.
Injections are generally performed using ultrasound guidance.
Ongoing care
Patients should continue ongoing management of their underlying neurological condition with their usual treating specialist or service.
Who can use our service
This clinic is suitable for people:
- aged 18 years or over
- with an established neurological diagnosis associated with focal or multifocal spasticity
- being considered for oral anti spasmodic or botulinum toxin treatment where there are appropriate focal treatment targets and clear functional, care, comfort or symptom-management goals
- who have previously received oral anti-spasmodic or botulinum toxin treatment and require ongoing spasticity management
This clinic is not suitable for:
- paediatric patients (17 years and under)
- patients referred for oral anti-spasmodic or botulinum toxin treatment without a clear treatment goal or anticipated clinical benefit
- patients with chronic pain syndromes without focal spasticity – see Pain Management
In support of care closer to home, we encourage GPs and specialists to check if a similar service is available closer to where the patient lives before referring.
Patients who receive ongoing care for the underlying condition from other services at the RMH will be accepted regardless of residing address.
Referrals
How to refer
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH referral form (PDF) or a template from your own system
- Fax your completed referral to Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 4234
We do not accept email referrals.
Referral checklist
Include in your referral:
- All minimum referral information, including patient demographic information, referrer name and provider number (for Medicare clinics)
- Reason for referral
- Presenting problem
- Services requested
- Established neurological diagnosis and relevant medical history
- Distribution and impact of spasticity
- Impact of the problem on the patient
- Functional, care, comfort or symptom-management issues related to spasticity
- Specific goals for treatment
- Current spasticity management, including medications and therapy
- Previous botulinum toxin treatment, including date, muscles treated, doses and response, where available
- Relevant investigation results and specialist reports related to the referral
- Relevant physiotherapy, occupational therapy or other allied health reports, where available
Patient referrals are triaged according to clinical need and suitability for the service.
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Need to change or cancel your appointment?
Do one of the following:
- Access Health Hub to change the appointment yourself
- Complete our online form and we'll change it for you
- Call Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) on (03) 9342 7393 and we'll help you over the phone
What to expect
Initial telehealth consultation
The first appointment is usually conducted via Telehealth (video call).
A Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist will assess:
- your muscle tone
- how spasticity is affecting your function and daily activities
- the problems that are most important to you
We will discuss your goals for treatment and develop an individualised management plan.
Ongoing or follow-up care
Medical treatments, including oral medications and botulinum toxin injections, can be provided through the clinic.
If botulinum toxin treatment is recommended, you will be offered a separate in-person appointment for injections.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are not provided within this clinic, so you may be referred to or asked to continue with another allied health service for these treatments.
What to bring to an appointment
Please bring:
- Your Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Information about previous botulinum toxin injections, including muscles treated and doses if available
- Relevant splints, braces or orthoses you currently use
- Aids you normally use (walking frame, glasses, hearing aid)
- If you are seeing a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or other rehabilitation professional, recent therapy reports can also be helpful
- Your appointment letter if you have one
- Any special items listed on your letter or in the Health Hub patient portal
You are welcome to attend with a family member, carer or support person.
Ground Level Robert Campbell Wing (Building 17)
34-54 Poplar Rd, Parkville, Victoria