Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report
Purpose The purpose of this case report was to describe the use of Astym therapy to improve hamstring flexibility and Achilles tendinopathy in a child with cerebral palsy. Case Description An eight-year-old female with cerebral palsy was referred to physical therapy for the treatment of bilateral ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2016-09-01
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| Series: | Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4137/CCRep.S40623 |
| _version_ | 1818514942866751488 |
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| author | Nicole A. Scheer Lucas R. Alstat Robert S. Van Zant |
| author_facet | Nicole A. Scheer Lucas R. Alstat Robert S. Van Zant |
| author_sort | Nicole A. Scheer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose The purpose of this case report was to describe the use of Astym therapy to improve hamstring flexibility and Achilles tendinopathy in a child with cerebral palsy. Case Description An eight-year-old female with cerebral palsy was referred to physical therapy for the treatment of bilateral hamstring inflexibility and Achilles tendinopathy. Treatment focused on an Astym therapy protocol of eccentric exercise, stretching, active and passive range of motion, gait training, and a home exercise program. The patient underwent a total of 11 physical therapy treatment sessions. Outcomes At the conclusion of treatment, the patient demonstrated improved resting muscle tone in bilateral lower extremities with active 90/90 hamstring flexibility measured at 165° and ankle dorsiflexion active range of motion of 5° without pain at 0° and 90° knee flexion. The patient exhibited an improved gait pattern with even stride length and diminished genu recurvatum, decreased pain with standing and walking, discontinued use of ankle–foot orthoses, and improved activity tolerance and overall function for daily activities. Discussion The results of this case report indicate that physical therapy rehabilitation utilizing an Astym therapy protocol can successfully achieve gains in flexibility and strength and allow for improved function of bilateral lower extremities in a patient with cerebral palsy. Conclusion Based on the findings of this case report, clinicians should consider the use of Astym therapy in treating musculoskeletal soft tissue dysfunction in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:22:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86f37dd2ce7b4004bb005ae4a4ba91a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-5476 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:22:33Z |
| publishDate | 2016-09-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-86f37dd2ce7b4004bb005ae4a4ba91a02022-12-22T01:27:42ZengSAGE PublishingClinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports1179-54762016-09-01910.4137/CCRep.S40623Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case ReportNicole A. Scheer0Lucas R. Alstat1Robert S. Van Zant2Physical Therapy Program, The University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, USA.Joyner Therapy Services, Marion, IL, USA.Physical Therapy Program, The University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, USA.Purpose The purpose of this case report was to describe the use of Astym therapy to improve hamstring flexibility and Achilles tendinopathy in a child with cerebral palsy. Case Description An eight-year-old female with cerebral palsy was referred to physical therapy for the treatment of bilateral hamstring inflexibility and Achilles tendinopathy. Treatment focused on an Astym therapy protocol of eccentric exercise, stretching, active and passive range of motion, gait training, and a home exercise program. The patient underwent a total of 11 physical therapy treatment sessions. Outcomes At the conclusion of treatment, the patient demonstrated improved resting muscle tone in bilateral lower extremities with active 90/90 hamstring flexibility measured at 165° and ankle dorsiflexion active range of motion of 5° without pain at 0° and 90° knee flexion. The patient exhibited an improved gait pattern with even stride length and diminished genu recurvatum, decreased pain with standing and walking, discontinued use of ankle–foot orthoses, and improved activity tolerance and overall function for daily activities. Discussion The results of this case report indicate that physical therapy rehabilitation utilizing an Astym therapy protocol can successfully achieve gains in flexibility and strength and allow for improved function of bilateral lower extremities in a patient with cerebral palsy. Conclusion Based on the findings of this case report, clinicians should consider the use of Astym therapy in treating musculoskeletal soft tissue dysfunction in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.https://doi.org/10.4137/CCRep.S40623 |
| spellingShingle | Nicole A. Scheer Lucas R. Alstat Robert S. Van Zant Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports |
| title | Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report |
| title_full | Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report |
| title_fullStr | Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report |
| title_short | Astym Therapy Improves Bilateral Hamstring Flexibility and Achilles Tendinopathy in a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Retrospective Case Report |
| title_sort | astym therapy improves bilateral hamstring flexibility and achilles tendinopathy in a child with cerebral palsy a retrospective case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4137/CCRep.S40623 |
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