Rehabilitation for a complex patient following cerebellar hemorrhage and obstructive hydrocephalus: A case report

• Published in: Physiotherapy theory and practice Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 965 - 971
• Main Authors: High, PT, DPT, Carleigh M, Andrews, PT, MS, EdD, A Williams
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Ltd 02.08.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Case reports; Cerebellar Diseases - rehabilitation; Complex patients; Coordination; Gait; Hemorrhage; Hospitalization; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Hydrocephalus - rehabilitation; Inpatient care; Intervention; Intracranial Hemorrhages - rehabilitation; Male; Occupational Therapy; Patient admissions; Physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physiotherapy; Recovery; Recovery (Medical); Recovery of Function; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation Centers; Speech Therapy; Stroke; Stroke Rehabilitation; Cerebellar stroke; rehabilitation; physical therapy; obstructive hydrocephalus; independence; outcomes
• DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1519007
• ISSN: 0959-3985

Inpatient rehabilitation facilities play an integral role in patient progress post-stroke. Cerebellar hemorrhages are an infrequent type of stroke and are therefore less discussed in the literature; however, inpatient rehabilitation continues to be an integral part of patient recovery. The purpose of this case report is to discuss the physical therapy interventions, challenges, and successes for a complex patient with a large cerebellar hemorrhage with obstructive hydrocephalus. : The patient is a 32-year-old male admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Prior to admission, the patient spent 1 month at a local hospital following a complicated recovery status post cerebellar hemorrhage with obstructive hydrocephalus. : The patient participated in at least 3 hours of combined therapy a day, split into 30- and 60-min sessions, and divided between physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Physical therapy interventions focused on various gait and coordination activities. : The patient spent 47 days in an inpatient rehabilitation facility and demonstrated improvements in all aspects of the Functional Independence Measure®. The patient improved from an 18 to a 90 on the total FIM® score, allowing the patient to ultimately be discharged home with family able to provide 24/7 supervision.