Patient Case Study: Reoccurring Back Complaint

Patient History

A female patient in her late 50's presents with a reoccurring back problem that has been bothering the patient for a number of years. Treatment has previously been given from an orthopaedic consultant for previous episodes where back pain has occurred. The most recent incident happened whilst on holiday; the patient went to pick up her suitcase and then was unable to move. The patient had heard about about Clare House Physiotherapy through a relative who had previously been successfully treated for a similar injury.

Assessment

On examining the patient it was found there was extensive pain emanating from the centre of the back and affecting a wide area of surrounding muscle. The injury had meant that the patient was unable to bend forward at all severely restricting movement and therefore had been unable to work. As a busy business lady it was important that the patient had a quick recovery so as to be able to return back to work.

On examination it was found that there was an L3 disc lesion, this can occur as we age as part of the ageing process and can also occur in people who actively use their backs. The L3 disc is the middle vertebrae in the lumbar section of the spine. There was also found to be tenderness in the sacroiliac joint on the right hand side. This is part of the hip made up of strong ligaments that join two bony parts of the hip together.

Treatment

To treat the injuries back manipulation was used in order to reduce the disc lesion. With many injuries and conditions exercises can also be beneficial. In this instance some light exercises were prescribed for the back in order to stretch out the muscles, loosen the spine and take some of the tension out of the core muscles.

In order to speed up recovery and as a preventative measure to prevent similar back trouble reoccurring a course of MBST was administered. A total of five one hour MBST treatments were given in total.

Outcome

After a few days the patient was able to return to work with no symptoms, pain or restriction in movement. In this instance there was no need for a 6 monthly review to assess the patient's progress. The use of MBST as a mainly preventative measure means that the patient should not experience a reoccurrence of the back problems she has had a previous history of.

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