Transforming Lives with Achieva Rehabilitation: A Case Study - Parkinson's Disease
At Achieva Rehabilitation, we take immense pride in helping our patients regain their mobility and improve their quality of life. Today, I’d like to share the journey of one of our remarkable patients, a 70-year-old man who has been living with Parkinson's disease since the age of 42.
When we first met our patient, he was facing significant challenges. He had a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in 2017, and multiple falls that resulted in a dislocated shoulder. And dealing with functional mobilty challenges from Parkison's Disease from the time he was 42 years old, a lot of his hobbies were significantly affected such as being a professional drummer.
Our patient had recently undergone a brain stimulator implant, which he and his wife felt had worsened his symptoms. He reported difficulties with posture, frequent freezing during ambulation where his feet actually felt stuck to the floor with attempts to move them while walking. This happens quite a bit with people with PD especially with direction changes or other stressful situations.
Once an avid drummer, he found himself unable to coordinate his movements. His primary goal was to improve his ability to walk and manage his posture, which had been significantly impacted by his condition.
The Journey Begins
We started with a comprehensive assessment and identified several key areas to focus on:
1. Posture Improvement: His posture was poor, characterized by curved downward facing posture and forward head posture. We implemented total body exercises and focused interventions to address these issues.
2. Hip Mobility: Tight hamstrings and hip adductors were limiting his mobility and step length. We introduced guided self-stretching, dynamic strengthening, and stretching interventions.
3. Endurance: His activity level was very limited due to Parkinson's disease. He was only able to walk short distances in the home and he had been able to ambulate all the way to the end of his driveway which was about 1/4 mile when he was doing better. We incorporated endurance-building exercises into his therapy.
4. Parkinson's Symptoms: Walking was very rigid and his steps were very short and choppy and he had a great deal of freezing noted. We utilized the LSVT Big and Loud program exercises to address these symptoms along with our own fresh takes on these concepts.
5. Fall Risk: As evidenced by a standard balance scoring mechanism, the Berg Balance Scale, his fall risk was very high and concerning with a score of 31/56.
Our approach was holistic, aiming to build his tolerance to the program and gradually improve his functional abilities.
Midpoint Progress
Midway through his therapy, we observed substantial improvements. His posture was better, and he reported feeling more stable during ambulation. He was able to walk greater distances with improved gait stability and reduced festination including getting outside on his lawn and driveway again. His confidence grew, and he began to participate in social events again, something he had missed dearly.
Short-term goals such as increasing cervical range of motion, improving hamstring flexibility, and enhancing step length were met successfully. His ability to ambulate without a device improved significantly, and his Berg Balance Score increased to 39/56, indicating better balance and reduced fall risk.
Conclusion and Results
At the end of his therapy program, our patient experienced a profound transformation. His posture and Parkinson's-related symptoms had improved remarkably. He was able to walk outdoors with confidence, significantly reducing his fall risk. He was able to ambulate at a fast pace all the way to the end of his driveway and back. He regained the ability to engage in social activities and felt more connected to his community.
His compliance with the home exercise program (HEP) played a crucial role in maintaining and furthering these gains./
Our patient’s journey is a testament to the power of personalized, in-home physical therapy. At Achieva Rehabilitation, we are dedicated to helping individuals overcome their physical challenges and reclaim their lives. If you or a loved one is facing similar struggles, know that there is hope and help available. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, helping you achieve the best possible outcomes and a better quality of life.
888-929-7677
Learn more about our program: https://www.achievarehab.com/locations-pennsylvania-in-home-physical-therapy-near-me
Click HERE for more info about the Achieva Rehabilitation In-Home Physical Therapy Program
Comments