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Certain nerves are easier to inject with phenol since they can be easily localized. Therefore, the best results are often observed when treating spasticity of the hip adductors (obturator nerve) or of the biceps brachii (musculocutaneous nerve).
Injection of the gastrocnemius (tibial nerve), pectoralis major (lateral and medial pectoral nerves) and latissimus dorsi (thoracodorsal nerve) are moderately difficult to inject because they may be difficult to localize. Nerves to the hamstrings and to the forearm are the most difficult.
The hamstrings provide a particular problem because the nerves can be difficult to locate in sufficient numbers to have a significant impact on the tone of those muscles.