Functional Recovery Following One-Year Rehabilitation in a Child with Post-Traumatic Cervical Instability: A Case Report
Keywords:
Exercise Therapy, Instability, Neck Injuries, Orthotic Devices, RehabilitationAbstract
Purpose: Post-traumatic cervical instability may be associated with persistent functional impairments even after radiological healing has been achieved. Post-traumatic cervical instability may affect movement control, postural regulation, and sensorimotor integration, potentially leading to limitations in head-eye coordination and daily functional activities. Although rigid immobilization and cervical traction are commonly applied during the acute management phase, clinical reports describing rehabilitation approaches targeting sensorimotor recovery following orthotic treatment in pediatric populations remain limited.
Methods: This case report describes a seven-year-old female patient with post-traumatic cervical instability managed conservatively. Orthotic management included full-time cervical traction for approximately two months, followed by use of a Philadelphia collar for approximately two and a half months. Over a one-year period, the patient participated in a structured rehabilitation program emphasizing active postural correction, task-oriented exercises, and cervical stabilization. Due to persistent deficits in head-eye coordination during dynamic activities, an additional eight-week proprioception-focused target-based exercise program was implemented.
Results: Cervical and trunk active range of motion, as well as cervical joint position sense, were assessed before and after the rehabilitation period. Following the intervention, cervical range of motion increased in most movement directions, whereas trunk range of motion demonstrated minimal change. Cervical joint position error values decreased in most directions after completion of the exercise program.
Conclusion: This case describes measurable improvements in cervical mobility and proprioceptive performance following a comprehensive rehabilitation program. The findings emphasize the importance of functional and sensorimotor assessments in monitoring recovery and guiding rehabilitation planning in pediatric patients with post-traumatic cervical instability, alongside conventional imaging findings.
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