Abstract

PEREZ-CHUQUIMIA, Marcos. Physiotherapeutic management of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev. Inv. Inf. Sal. [online]. 2023, vol.18, n.45, pp.95-101. ISSN 2075-6194.  https://doi.org/10.52428/20756208.v18i45.977.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of the most common diseases in our environment, and also one of the most tragic for the patients who suffer from it, and for their family and social environment. This does not show a clear etiology, despite its unknown origin, the prevalence worldwide is high, varying between 2 and 11 cases per 100 000 people; The age of presentation is 58 to 63 years in the less frequent cases, and 47 to 52 years for the most common cases, in most cases in males. For the diagnosis, a correct clinical evaluation is essential, with reinforcement and support from complementary neurophysiological studies. The fundamental characteristic is neuronal deterioration in the lower and upper limbs, as well as weakness in the bulbar muscles, and some cases present frontotemporal cognitive impairment; Other studies are based on electromyography. There is no definitive medical treatment, however, in the face of complicated symptoms of the pathology, the use of support measures is useful, especially with ventilatory and nutritional support, but above all physiotherapy in the musculoskeletal system, which is described below and is for prevent muscle atrophy in unaffected muscles, and joint stiffness due to periodic absence of voluntary movement.

Keywords : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Support in the musculoskeletal system; weakness in the bulbar muscles.