Botulinum Toxin Evaluated in Digital Ischemia - Summary - MDSpire
Coming Soon: Introducing MDSpire News. Learn more
Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more

Botulinum Toxin Evaluated in Digital Ischemia

Individual-level meta-analysis examines response, dosing, and safety across ischemic etiologies

  • By

  • Kathryn Wighton

  • April 3, 2026

  • 3 min

Share

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in treating digital ischemia, ulcers, and gangrene.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • 93% complete response in acute digital ischemia, 90% in ulcers, and 88% in gangrene.
    • Fastest improvement in acute ischemia (mean 12 days), followed by gangrene (25 days) and ulcers (54 days).
    • 91 of 101 patients with ulcers achieved complete reepithelialization.
    • Adverse events were uncommon, with transient muscle weakness in 8% and injection site pain in 6%.
    Interpretation:

    Botulinum toxin shows high efficacy and safety in treating digital ischemia, particularly in autoimmune-related conditions.

    Limitations:
    • Reliance on small, heterogeneous studies.
    • Variation in dosing and injection techniques.
    • Incomplete individual-level data for approximately 40% of studies.
    • Underpowered subgroup analyses for gangrene.
    Conclusion:

    Botulinum toxin demonstrates high efficacy and safety in treating digital ischemia, ulcers, and gangrene, especially in autoimmune-mediated disease.

    Sources:

Original Source(s)

Botulinum Toxin Evaluated in Digital Ischemia

  • by Kathryn Wighton

  • April 3, 2026

Related Content

FDA monthly preview: Key September decisions to watch

Several FDA decisions across multiple specialties are expected this month.

10 states that support physician work-life balance

These 10 states have paid family or medical leave programs and health, wellness, peer support, or monitoring resources available to physicians or other health professionals.

When Bad Data Enters the Drug Pipeline

Federal prosecutors allege that a Florida physician and research staff fabricated clinical trial records that were submitted into database systems used to evaluate investigational drugs.