Research Article Open Access

Physical Therapy Improved Hand Function in a Patient with Traumatic Peripheral Lesion: A Case Study

Marco Orsini1, Julio Guilherme Silva1, Clynton Lourenco Correa2, Diego Rogrigues3, Acary Bulle Oliveira3, Valeria Marques Coelho3, Debora Gollo3, Antonio Marcos da Silva Catharino1, Dionis Machado4, Victor Hugo do Vale Bastos5, Marco Antonio Araujo Leite1, Gabriela Guerra Leal Souza4, Carlos Henrique Melo Reis1 and Sara Lucia Silveira de Menezes1
  • 1 Augusto Motta University Centre (UNISUAM), Brazil
  • 2 Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
  • 3 Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil
  • 4 Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), Brazil
  • 5 Federal University of Piaui (UFPI), Brazil

Abstract

Problem statement: Nerves are frequently injured by traumatic lesions, such as crushing, compression (entrapment), stretching, partial and total extraction, resulting in damages to the transmission of nerve impulses and to the reduction or loss of sensitivity, to the motility and to the reflexes of the innervated area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of a rehabilitation program that lasted three months in the process of traumatic injury recovery of the median and ulnar nerves in a 52 year-old patient. Approach: The patient underwent an evaluation of the muscle strength and the functional capacity before and after three months of rehabilitation treatment, consisting of movements and specific techniques of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), which lasted approximately 50-60 min per session and with a frequency of three weekly visits. She also performed stretching, neural mobilization maneuvers, ultrasound and laser. Results: The physical therapy approach proposed, in the present case, minimized the injury impact and facilitated the gradual return of patients to basic and instrumental activities of daily living. It was possible to observe improvement on the functional abilities and the muscle strength after the end of the protocol. Conclusion: The morphological and functional recovery after a nerve injury is rarely complete and perfect, as it was in this case. However, a proper clinical management, combined with a rehabilitation protocol can minimize the deficiencies and facilitate the return of patients to their daily activities.

Current Research in Medicine
Volume 3 No. 2, 2012, 161-168

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/amjsp.2012.161.168

Submitted On: 15 May 2012 Published On: 6 August 2012

How to Cite: Orsini, M., Silva, J. G., Correa, C. L., Rogrigues, D., Oliveira, A. B., Coelho, V. M., Gollo, D., Catharino, A. M. D. S., Machado, D., Bastos, V. H. D. V., Leite, M. A. A., Souza, G. G. L., Reis, C. H. M. & Menezes, S. L. S. D. (2012). Physical Therapy Improved Hand Function in a Patient with Traumatic Peripheral Lesion: A Case Study. Current Research in Medicine, 3(2), 161-168. https://doi.org/10.3844/amjsp.2012.161.168

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Keywords

  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
  • rehabilitation
  • traumatic peripheral lesion
  • instrumental activities
  • muscle strength
  • mobilization maneuvers
  • performed stretching