Search

Context: Sport-related dystonia is a rare form of activity-specific dystonia that can severely impair an athlete's ability to perform. Due to a lack of data on the condition, it is difficult to diagnose and often overlooked, and no gold standard treatment has yet been defined. Case Presentation: We present a rare and challenging case of sport-related dystonia that affected a 24-year-old male professional soccer player. The patient presented with severe rigidity and dystonia of the right lower-extremity, particularly the ankle and foot. The symptoms set on >1 year prior to the presentation to our outpatient clinic. He began to complain of stiffness and difficulty moving his lower limbs, especially his right leg, initially when playing soccer, but then also when walking normally. On presentation, he was unable to run and walked with difficulty, supporting his body weight only on the outside of his right foot. He also reported a motor trick and reverse motor trick involving the oral musculature in order to move his lower limb more freely. Management and Outcomes: An integrated rehabilitation approach based on postural rehabilitation, neuromuscular rehabilitation, and dental intervention was used to successfully treat this condition. The approach included: (1) postural rehabilitation with the Mézières-Bertelè method to reduce muscular stiffness, (2) neuromuscular re-education with Tai Chi exercises and electromyography-guided biofeedback, and (3) dental intervention and swallowing rehabilitation to limit impaired oral habits (due to the relationship between his impaired lower limb movements and motor tricks of the oral musculature). After 7 months of integrated rehabilitation, the patient returned to professional soccer. Conclusions: This case report highlights the potential efficacy of an integrative rehabilitation approach for sports dystonia, particularly in cases where traditional treatments may not be effective. Such an approach could be considered a valuable option in the management of this rare, but debilitating, condition in athletes. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness of this approach in larger populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common musculoskeletal disorder in newborns, ranging from mild dysplasia to complete dislocation. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing DDH. However, in some cases, standard orthopedic treatments such as the Pavlik harness fail, and alternative approaches are needed. Our study explores the possibility that manual therapy, specifically the Mézières-Bertelè Method (MBM), could be beneficial in cases of DDH that are resistant to conventional treatments. We present a case of a 20-month-old female who had been suffering from persistent DDH (Graf's type IIIC on the left), pain and limping, despite previous conventional treatments, including the Pavlik harness. The patient received daily MBM sessions for six months, followed by maintenance sessions every two months. After undergoing the MBM treatment, the patient showed clinical improvements, such as normal neuromotor development and restored hip joint parameters. We observed normal walking and running abilities, and X-ray parameters returned to normal levels. The patient sustained positive outcomes during long-term follow-up until the age of 7. The MBM manual therapy was used to treat a challenging case of DDH resistant to conventional treatment. This case report suggests a possible correlation between manual therapy and improved outcomes in resistant DDH and highlights the potential relevance of addressing the inherent musculoskeletal components of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]