Impact of Delayed Diagnosis of Cervical Myelopathy on the Prognosis and Quality of Life: A Case Report
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Start Date
4-12-2019 4:00 PM
End Date
4-12-2019 6:00 PM
Abstract
Background/Purpose: Myelopathy is defined as compression of the spinal cord due to a narrowing of the canal by various mechanisms, with the most common form being cervical myelopathy, which has the possibility of impacting overall bodily function. The purpose of this retrospective case report is to demonstrate the impact of a delayed surgical intervention for a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, which contributed to functional limitations in an elderly individual leading to a decreased quality of life, and reduced prognosis.
Case Description: The subject was an 82-year-old Caucasian female, admitted to IP rehab following a posterior cervical decompressive laminectomy with foraminotomy of C2-C5 following a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy. The subject presented with decreased bilateral extremity strength, decreased endurance, reduced functional mobility and gait impairments. Interventions focused on gait training, neuromuscular re-education and therapeutic exercise.
Outcomes: The subject completed 38 physical therapy sessions while in inpatient rehabilitation. Improvements were measured in lower extremity strength of bilateral hip flexors and knee extensors, increased in functional mobility based on scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and decreased assistance required for ambulation.
Discussion: This report demonstrates the impact a delayed surgical intervention for a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy on an elderly individual who had a complicated medical and surgical history. The subject demonstrated improvements in functional mobility that exceeded her prior level of function. Further research could provide additional information that could be utilized to prevent a delayed diagnosis, and to explore appropriate treatment plans to improve the quality of life of individuals with a delayed diagnosis of cervical myelopathy
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Dale Schuit
Impact of Delayed Diagnosis of Cervical Myelopathy on the Prognosis and Quality of Life: A Case Report
Background/Purpose: Myelopathy is defined as compression of the spinal cord due to a narrowing of the canal by various mechanisms, with the most common form being cervical myelopathy, which has the possibility of impacting overall bodily function. The purpose of this retrospective case report is to demonstrate the impact of a delayed surgical intervention for a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy, which contributed to functional limitations in an elderly individual leading to a decreased quality of life, and reduced prognosis.
Case Description: The subject was an 82-year-old Caucasian female, admitted to IP rehab following a posterior cervical decompressive laminectomy with foraminotomy of C2-C5 following a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy. The subject presented with decreased bilateral extremity strength, decreased endurance, reduced functional mobility and gait impairments. Interventions focused on gait training, neuromuscular re-education and therapeutic exercise.
Outcomes: The subject completed 38 physical therapy sessions while in inpatient rehabilitation. Improvements were measured in lower extremity strength of bilateral hip flexors and knee extensors, increased in functional mobility based on scores of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and decreased assistance required for ambulation.
Discussion: This report demonstrates the impact a delayed surgical intervention for a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy on an elderly individual who had a complicated medical and surgical history. The subject demonstrated improvements in functional mobility that exceeded her prior level of function. Further research could provide additional information that could be utilized to prevent a delayed diagnosis, and to explore appropriate treatment plans to improve the quality of life of individuals with a delayed diagnosis of cervical myelopathy