Impact of a Flexibility and Strengthening Program for a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Low Back Pain
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
Hall of Governors
Start Date
4-8-2022 4:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2022 6:00 PM
Abstract
Background and Purpose- Chronic low back pain is the most common form of disability across the country, with up to 70% of people experiencing an episode at some point in their lives. This case study addresses the utilization of a focused strength and flexibility approach to improving functional outcomes in a patient with chronic low back pain and multiple sclerosis during an episode of physical therapy care.
Case Description- Review of a fifty-two-year-old Caucasian female who was referred to outpatient physical therapy to address limitations consisting of low back pain, radicular symptoms, and fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis. The primary goal of treatment was to restore the patient to her prior level of function, reduce pain, and allow the patient to return to work.
Outcomes- Functional improvements were measured using range of motion, manual muscle testing, response to repeated directional preference movements, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, the 30 second chair stand test, and neurodynamic special tests.
Discussion- The patient experienced improvements across all objective domains after nine weeks of physical therapy intervention However, at the conclusion of this episode of care, she still experienced difficulty with prolonged standing and walking which negatively impacted work. Based on the patient's progress, she is expected to continue to see improvements in her low back and radicular symptoms.
Presenter:
Denis O'Callaghan
Physical Therapy Doctoral Student
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Dr. Mary Jones
Assistant Professor, College of Health and Human Services
Impact of a Flexibility and Strengthening Program for a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Low Back Pain
Hall of Governors
Background and Purpose- Chronic low back pain is the most common form of disability across the country, with up to 70% of people experiencing an episode at some point in their lives. This case study addresses the utilization of a focused strength and flexibility approach to improving functional outcomes in a patient with chronic low back pain and multiple sclerosis during an episode of physical therapy care.
Case Description- Review of a fifty-two-year-old Caucasian female who was referred to outpatient physical therapy to address limitations consisting of low back pain, radicular symptoms, and fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis. The primary goal of treatment was to restore the patient to her prior level of function, reduce pain, and allow the patient to return to work.
Outcomes- Functional improvements were measured using range of motion, manual muscle testing, response to repeated directional preference movements, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, the 30 second chair stand test, and neurodynamic special tests.
Discussion- The patient experienced improvements across all objective domains after nine weeks of physical therapy intervention However, at the conclusion of this episode of care, she still experienced difficulty with prolonged standing and walking which negatively impacted work. Based on the patient's progress, she is expected to continue to see improvements in her low back and radicular symptoms.
Presenter:
Denis O'Callaghan
Physical Therapy Doctoral Student