Efficacy of a multimodal rehabilitation program in a dental hygienist with upper quadrant disorders. Description of a case report with one-year follow-up

Many musculoskeletal disorders are work-related. For the success of treatment, it is essential to promptly recognize these cases and introduce a specific intervention able to act on the causes. In Literature many activities predisposing workers to incorrect posture and long maintained attitudes are highlighted. The professionals involved in dental hygiene are among these. For these patients it is not sufficient to just reduce pain, but it is necessary to have a broader approach to rehabilitation, which can also act on neuromuscular imbalances induced by work. The article describes the case of a dental hygienist with upper quadrant disorders treated by physiotherapy and education. Particular importance during treatment was given to postural re-education. The treatment lasted two months (8 sessions, 1 session per week). The outcomes introduced were Visual Analogue Scale, VAS (70/100 at the beginning and 0/100 at the end of treatment) and Neck Pain and Disability Scale, NPDS (62.5/100 at the beginning and 3/100 at the end of treatment); at 12-month follow-up, VAS was 10/100 and NPDS was 19/100. A multimodal rehabilitation, with emphasis to musculoskeletal imbalance correction, proved to be useful in a patient who maintained prolonged flexion and rotation of the spine, front shoulder closure, and arm suspension due to occupational daily activities. The improvements lasted over time.