University Presentation Showcase: Faculty Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
Spring 2016
Department
Exercise and Sport Science
Abstract
A 46 year-old male patient presented with severe scapular pain and inability to use his right arm in forward flexion or during overhead activities. An evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in scapular conditions determined he had detachment of various scapular muscles. Surgical reattachment of the lower trapezius and rhomboids was performed. The surgical intervention and post-operative rehabilitation reduced the pain however; 18 months following surgery, the patient developed kinesiophobic traits and hypersensitivity with low-level nocioception. In an attempt to alleviate the pain and fear of movement, neuroimaging was utilized by employing a mirror-box regimen. The patient was instructed to focus on the reflection of the non-involved limb in the mirrors so it appeared as though he was looking at a full image of his body. When the patient signaled that the image looked complete, he was instructed to elevate both arms to numerous angles for approximately 20-30 repetitions.
With the use of the mirrors, the patient could raise both arms equally to approximately 110 degrees of forward elevation with little reported pain. When the mirrors were taken away, the patient began to become inhibited again only being able to perform 5 repetitions of elevation before pain prohibited him from continuing. The patient was instructed to perform a similar regimen for 20 minutes a day/5 days a week until his next follow-up 3 months later. On the next follow-up, the patient had full arm elevation (160 degrees) with little to no pain and without use of the mirrors.
