Objective To evaluate the efficacy of injectable botulinum toxin type A on muscle spasms and motor function in subacute and convalescent stroke patients. Methods From June 2013 to January 2016， 86 stroke patients were included in this study. They were divided into subacute group (＜ 1 month， n=37) and convalescent group (≥ 1 month，n=49) according to the length of disease history. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)， Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS)， Manual Muscle Test (MMT)， Passive Range of Motion (PROM)， Barthel index and Fugl-Meyer scale were evaluated after intramuscular injection of 200 U botulinum toxin for 4 weeks. Results All patients were successfully treated. The follow-up time was 26 d (22 ~ 30 d) and 29 d (24 ~ 31 d) separately， with no significant differences (Z=1.332，P=0.307). The MAS scores of subacute group in elbow and wrist were improved after treatment (P＜ 0.05)， but there was no significant difference in convalescent group (P＞ 0.05). Subacute group was significantly superior to convalescent group (P＜ 0.05). The elbow R1， D and wrist R1 after treatment in subacute group were improved (P＜ 0.05). Elbow R1， D and wrists R1 of MTS in convalescent group were improved after treatment (P＜ 0.05). Wrist R1， R2 of subacute group were significantly superior to convalescent group (P＜ 0.05). In the subacute group， the PROM abduction and activity of the wrist were improved (P＜ 0.05). There was no significant improvement in convalescent group after treatment. The recovery of the wrist in subacute group was better than that in convalescent group (P＜ 0.05) . The Barthel index， Fugl-Meyer in subacute group and Fugl-Meyer of convalescent group were higher after treatment. But there was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05). Conclusions Botulinum toxin can ameliorate the spasticity and function in patients with subacute and convalescent stage of stroke， but the effect for subacute stage is more obvious.