Phenol intramuscular neurolysis is often limited to nerves with only motor innervation, such as the musculocutaneous nerve (for decreasing arm flexion) and the obturator nerve (for decreasing hip adduction).
Phenol in certain nerves can cause unpleasant sensory dysesthesias, therefore its use is limited.
Phenol neurolysis is used selectively for the management of spasticity. Appropriate nerve selection and careful assessment are important because sensory effects and other local complications may occur.