Screening and evaluation of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems in patients presenting with upper extremity impairments

Investigation of the effects of upper extremity home exercises on grip strength, range of motion, activity performance, and functionality in individuals with systemic sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of upper extremity home exercises on grip strength, range of motion, activity performance, and functionality in individuals with systemic sclerosis and to compare with patient education.

METHODS

A total of 46 individuals with systemic sclerosis (55.52±11.54 years) were included. Individuals were randomly assigned into intervention (n=23) and control (n=23) groups. Dynamometer, goniometer, Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, Score for Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatic Affections of the Hands, and Duruoz Hand Index were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

Post-treatment, in terms of delta (Δ) values, hand grip and pinch strengths (p: 0.000-0.016), active (p: 0.000-0.032) and passive (p: 0.000-0.043) total range of motions, Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement performance and satisfaction, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, Score for Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatic Affections of the Hands, and Duruoz Hand Index (p: 0.000) were in favor of the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

Upper extremity home exercises increase grip strength, range of motion, activity performance, and functionality in patients with systemic sclerosis. We recommend that rehabilitation programs include not only hand exercises but also upper extremity exercises.

Physiotherapy Screening for Referral of a Patient with Patent Foramen Ovale Presenting with Neck Pain as Primary Complaint: A Case Report

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder encountered by physiotherapists. However, it may be the early manifestation of more alarming conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases mimicking musculoskeletal pain. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a congenital heart defect consisting of a small opening between the right and the left atrium. A 56-year-old male presented with neck pain and head heaviness as primary complaints. The cardiovascular profile and the behavioral symptoms led the physiotherapist to find an exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise; in addition to subtle neurological signs, this prompted the physiotherapist to make an urgent referral. At the emergency department a PFO was diagnosed. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case to describe a rare clinical presentation of a PFO presenting neck pain as primary complaint. This case report emphasizes the importance for physiotherapists to be able to triage patients for conditions outside their scope suggestive of further medical investigation.

An unusual presentation of acute myocardial infarction in physiotherapy direct access: findings from a case report

BACKGROUND

Shoulder pain (SP) may originate from both musculoskeletal and visceral conditions. Physiotherapists (PT) may encounter patients with life-threatening pathologies that mimic musculoskeletal pain such as Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). A trained PT should be able to distinguish between signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal or visceral origin aimed at performing proper medical referral.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 46-y-old male with acute SP lasting from a week was diagnosed with right painful musculoskeletal shoulder syndrome, in two successive examinations by the emergency department physicians. However, after having experienced a shift of the pain on the left side, the patient presented to a PT. The PT recognized the signs and symptoms of visceral pain and referred him to the general practitioner, which identified a cardiac disease. The final diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the importance of a thorough patient screening examination, especially for patients treated in an outpatient setting, which allow distinguishing between signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal from visceral diseases.