Condition: Spinal stenosis – narrowing of spinal canal
Peripheral neuropathy – pain and altered sensation in legs
Patient #1:
Male. 77 years old.
Deficits:
Balance deficits; low back and lower extremity pain
Before:
Had to stop and rest after walking 1/2 block
Had hired a service to do household chores
Treatment:
Anodyne, balance/stability exercises on various surfaces, stretching and strengthening, and endurance and gait training.
Treatment duration:
8 weeks
After:
Walking on treadmill up to 30 minutes without a break
Able to take care of chores independently (no longer needed the household chores service)
Able to stand for longer periods of time
Result:
Patient gained a greater level of independence. Patient is no longer experiencing pain in legs or feet. Also, has an improved sense of balance.
Condition: Migraine-related dizziness, Left BPPV
Patient #2:
Female. 49 years old.
Deficits:
VOR deficit and Balance deficits.
Before:
Years of dizziness and migraines
Slept in a chair because dizziness severity.
Treatment:
Epley's Maneuver, Balance and VOR exercises
Treatment duration:
8 weeks
After:
Normal DVA (Dynamic Visual Acuity)
Improved VORTEQ scores
No LOB (loss of balance) or dizziness
Result:
Patient is symptom-free and off medications. Patient has returned to work and is sleeping back in bed.
Condition: Left BPPV, Left vestibulopathy
Patient #3:
Male. 74 years old.
Deficits:
Balance deficits, VOR deficit
Before:
Patient unable to drive and was "wobbly" when getting up in the morning
Treatment:
Left Epley's Maneuver, balance exercises, VOR exercises
Treatment duration:
4 weeks
After:
Patient is asymptomatic. Improved CDP, VORTEQ and VEMP
Result:
Able to drive a long distance without symptoms. Wakes up without symptoms.
Condition: Gait abnormality, Drop Foot
Patient #4:
Male. 80 years old.
Deficits:
Drop foot, balance deficits and LE weakness
Before:
Multiple falls at home, Right foot drag
Treatment:
fitted for a brace, gait/balance exercises and strengthening/stretching
Treatment duration:
10 weeks/21 visits
After:
Improved DGI from 14/24 to 21/24 and no longer in the "At Risk" category for falls Increased LE strength
Result:
Fitted with DF assistive brace, walking without tripping, dragging foot, able to walk further without fatigue
Condition: Left-sided peripheral vestibular deficit
Patient #5:
Female. 16 years old.
Deficits:
Dealing with dizziness for about 1 year.
Before:
VOR was abnormal: difficulty reading and concentrating; had a hard time with school work. Crowds were difficult to deal with.
Patient had a hard time concentrating when driving.
Patient had decreased balance and showed a visual preference: was not able to participate in sports.
Treatment:
Vestibular rehab focusing on VOR re-education and balance exercises.
Treatment duration:
7 weeks
After:
VOR stabilized.
Balance was evaluated as normal.
Result:
Patient is no longer dizzy and has returned to sports. She is doing well in school and got her driver's license.
Condition: 25 years of dizziness
Patient #9:
Male. 47 years old.
Deficits:
With episodes of dizziness, patient reports difficulty walking, bending forward (washing his face) and performing quick head movement.
Before:
VOR was abnormal: did not participate in sports. Had to rest in bed when having an episode.
Treatment:
Vestibular rehab focusing on VOR re-education and balance exercises.
Treatment duration:
9 weeks
After:
VOR stabilized.
Balance was evaluated as normal.
Result:
At discharge: 98% symptom free. Patient had difficulty with quick turns.
Approximately one year later: Patient reports having no limitations. He is playing sports with his teenage son and living life.