Fizioterapevtska obravnava pacienta na rehabilitaciji po COVID-19 z odpovedjo dihanja : poročilo o primeru
Physiotherapeutic treatment of a patient at rehabilitation after COVID-19 infection and respiratory failure : case report

slovenian

2021

volume 20, supl. 1

mobility   peripheral nerve lesion   physiotherapy   upper limb

Univerzitetni rehabilitacijski inštitut RS – Soča
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background: With an increasing number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, a more significant number of patients with severe disease required long-term intensive care with mechanical ventilation. These patients have a general weakness, decreased muscle strength, and other problems. Impairment of peripheral nerves can also be an additional complication. Methods: A 61-year-old patient with complications after COVID-19 infection and respiratory failure underwent extended intensive care and mechanical ventilation. He also had severe brachial plexus lesion, with plegic muscles in left upper limb. He had general weakness and balance, mobility, and walking problems at admission to rehabilitation. Physiotherapy included exercise for muscles strengthening the whole body, general endurance, balance, walking, and upper limb function. After completing inpatient rehabilitation, he continued with outpatient treatment. The patient's condition was assessed with standardized measurement tools. Results: The patient improved upper and lower limb muscle strength, balance, walking ability and endurance. The muscle groups in the left upper limb were gradually activated. Conclusion: This case report on a patient after COVID-19 infection and respiratory failure with associated impairment of peripheral nerves presents an example of good physiotherapy practice.

23.08.2021