Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 24-year-old woman with a 1-year history of stiff person syndrome who received outpatient physical therapy over the course of 15 weeks. She had pain, muscle spasms, gait anomalies, and range-of-motion deficits, which affected her left lower extremity. Physical therapy interventions consisted of ultrasound, soft tissue mobilizations, manual stretching, and exercise. She also was fitted for a custom-made ankle- foot orthosis. Outcome This patient showed decreased pain and muscle spasms, as well as improvements in gait and range of motion. DISCUSSION: Stiffness and spasms interfere with the ability of these patients to fully mobilize affected joints, and they are at risk of developing further complications. Physical therapy may have a role in the management of this disease, as these patients need to be taught how to properly stretch and maintain joint mobility as a lifelong commitment.
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Authors | Christopher A Hegyi |
Journal | Physical therapy
(Phys Ther)
Vol. 91
Issue 9
Pg. 1403-11
(Sep 2011)
ISSN: 1538-6724 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21737522
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Female
- Gait
- Humans
- Orthotic Devices
- Physical Therapy Modalities
- Range of Motion, Articular
- Stiff-Person Syndrome
(rehabilitation)
- Young Adult
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