# Early Mobilization and Rehabilitation to Enhance the Functional Performance of a Hemiparesis Patient Following a Subdural and Subarachnoid Hematoma With Pneumocephalus: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report shows how physiotherapy helped a patient recover from a brain injury causing hemiplegia.

## Contribution

The study highlights the effectiveness of early physiotherapy in improving recovery for a complex brain injury case.

## Key findings

- The patient's lower limb strength improved significantly after physiotherapy.
- Physiotherapy is critical for enhancing muscle strength and recovery in such cases.

## Abstract

A subdural hematoma (SDH) is a medical condition caused by a violent head trauma in which blood accumulates excessively under the dura mater. It occurs when a blood arterial weak point or brain surface aneurysm ruptures and bleeds. The resulting blood accumulation inside and around the skull raises the pressure on the brain. Pneumocephalus, also known as pneumatocele or intracranial aerogel, refers to air in the ventricular cavities or brain parenchyma's epidural, subdural, or subarachnoid spaces. In most cases, neurotrauma is the primary cause of pneumocephalus, mainly when there are skull base fractures. Here, we present a case study of a 65-year-old male patient diagnosed with left hemiplegia following SDH with subarachnoid hematoma (SAH) and pneumocephalus. The severity of the patient's illness, the medical and surgical care provided, the amount of physiotherapy required to aid recovery, the duration of hospitalization, and the discharge location for patients with acute SAH or SDH vary significantly. The patient underwent physiotherapy rehabilitation, and we report that his lower limb strength improved substantially after the therapy. Therefore, physiotherapy is a critical component of treatment to enhance muscle strength, facilitate early and rapid recovery, and manage the clinical manifestations of the condition.