Abstract

Background. Extensive forearm injuries can significantly limit hand function. While planning a rehabilitation programme, it may be worthwhile to combine various therapeutic modalities in order to achieve the best outcomes. Material and methods. We describe the case of a 59-year old patient who sustained an extensive injury to the palmar side of the forearm, with damage to the median and ulnar nerves. Moreover, a big scar (deep tissue adhesions) caused muscular restrictions and pain (paraesthesiae), significantly limiting the rangę of movement. The patient was treated with conventional physiotherapy (kinesiotherapy, electrotherapy laser therapy underwater wibratory massage, magnetic field therapy and classic massage) follow-ed by selected techniques of medical taping. The purpose of the taping treatment (scar correction technique) was to lift the scar, decrease the tension between connective tissue and the damaged nerves and increase the interstitial space (space correction technique) in order to create optimal conditions for regeneration ofnerve structures. As a result, the skin was folded which increas-ed the space between deep layers ofsoft tissues, facilitating the flow ofblood and lymphatic fluid and speeding up regeneration. The therapy was carried out for six weeks. Prior to and on completion of the treatment, the rangę of motion was measured in selected joints as well as an sEMG of selected muscie groups was performed.Results and Conclusions. The results indicate a beneficial effect of medical taping on the rangę of motion in the affected joints and insignificant improvement in bioelectrical muscie actMty While these results are very promising, further studies are obviously needed to confirm the efficacy of medical taping in the treatment ofthis type of dysfunction.

Key words:

medical taping, rehabilitation, bioelectrical changes