Effectiveness of cryotherapy along with weight bearing exercise on refractory spasm and fear of fall in spinal cord injury patient

Background And Purpose: Spasm are one of the most common complication in spinal cord injury persons which may cause increase the fall frequency in transfer activities even in wheelchair activities. Cryotherapy has been used in clinical practice to reduce the spasm in spinal cord injury patients, which positive results have been reported in clinical studies. Weight bearing exercise has some effects on spasticity which may improve joint and muscle function. The purpose of the case report was to document the effects of cryotherapy along with weight bearing exercise on refractory spasm and fear of fall present with the spinal cord injury patient. Case Description: The patient was 45 year old male injured with road traffic accident, who diagnosed with complete spinal cord injury at the level of D8 and D9. He was surgically treated with D8 and D9 reduction and posterior stabilization with decompression on july 2017. After 6 months the patient was taken rehabilitation for 6 months and make him independent with wheel chair assistance. The present complaint was refractory spasm in his lower limb which affect his daily activities like transferring activity. This also leads him to fall in some activities. Results: The patient had benefits with significant reduction of refractory spasm in the both lower limbs following 4 weeks of cryotherapy application along with weight bearing activities. The spasm frequency score showed significant changes from 3 at the week of one to score 1 at the end of 4 weeks. Spasm severity scale 3 in week one and 1 in week four. Visual Analogue scale showed the fear of fall from 8 to 2 at the end of 4th weeks. CONCLUSION: This study reported that cryotherapy along with weight bearing exercise significantly reduce the refractory muscle spasm and diminish the fear of fall in spinal cord injury patient with paraplegia.