Decreasing Adhesions and Avoiding Further Surgery in a Pediatric Patient Involved in a Severe Pedestrian versus Motor Vehicle Accident

Amanda D Rice,Belinda F Wurn,Leslie B Wakefield,Evette D'Avy Reed,Kimberley Patterson,C Richard King,Lawrence J Wurn

doi:10.4081/pr.2014.5126

Amanda D Rice, Belinda F Wurn + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4081/pr.2014.5126

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Journal: Pediatric Reports	Publication Date: Feb 24, 2014
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Clear Passage Physical Therapy

Abstract

In this case study, we report the use of manual physical therapy in a pediatric patient experiencing complications from a life-threatening motor vehicle accident that necessitated 19 surgeries over the course of 12 months. Post-surgical adhesions decreased the patient’s quality of life. He developed multiple medical conditions including recurrent partial bowel obstructions and an ascending testicle. In an effort to avoid further surgery for bowel obstruction and the ascending testicle, the patient was effectively treated with a manual physical therapy regimen focused on decreasing adhesions. The therapy allowed return to an improved quality of life, significant decrease in subjective reports of pain and dysfunction, and apparent decreases in adhesive processes without further surgery, which are important goals for all patients, but especially for pediatric patients.

Highlights

In 2010, motor vehicle accidents (MVA) accounted for 3421 injuries and 1428 fatalities of children under the age of 15
326 of 345 (94%) died, or were severely injured. Those children that survive severe injuries often undergo weeks of hospitalization followed by lengthy recovery and rehabilitation periods after the initial MVA
We present a case involving the use of a site-specific manual physical therapy to treat a young child that was involved in a MVA as a pedestrian, sustained severe injuries, and developed severe scarring and adhesion formation that affected his quality of life significantly because of healing from those injuries

Summary

Introduction

In 2010, motor vehicle accidents (MVA) accounted for 3421 injuries and 1428 fatalities of children under the age of 15. We present a case involving the use of a site-specific manual physical therapy to treat a young child that was involved in a MVA as a pedestrian, sustained severe injuries, and developed severe scarring and adhesion formation that affected his quality of life significantly because of healing from those injuries.

Results

Conclusion