Physiotherapy Assessment and Intervention for Hirayama Disease: A Case Report

Abstract

Hirayama Disease (HD) is a type of localised amyotrophy that mostly affects motor neurons. It is benign, self-limiting, and does not progress. It is not the same as distal limb juvenile muscular atrophy, which is a symptom of motor neuron disease. Together with other immunological and physical variables, cervical cord compression, particularly during cervical flexion, is one cause of HD. Over three to five years, the illness usually worsens progressively, resulting in wasting and distal weakness in one or both upper extremities. In addition, patients may experience cold paralysis, coarse finger tremors, and non specific sensory loss. Hereby, the authors present a case report of a 22-year-old male who had been steadily developing right upper extremity weakness for three years was evaluated in the Outpatient Department. The physical examination revealed atrophy of the right forearm muscle, reduced range of motion in right wrist flexion and extension, weak wrist extensors, finger extensors, supinator muscles of the forearm, and shoulder flexors. As HD does not have a well-defined physiotherapy protocol, tailor-made treatment was given for four weeks aimed at improving upper extremity muscle strength and overall hand function. The present case report will aid the physiotherapists understand the assessment and treatment of HD.

Keywords

• exercises
• motor neuron disease
• muscular atrophy
• rare case