# Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for Compressive Myelopathy in a 12-Year-Old Girl: A Case Study

## TL;DR

A 12-year-old girl with compressive myelopathy underwent surgery and physiotherapy to improve her mobility and quality of life.

## Contribution

This case study highlights the effectiveness of physiotherapy rehabilitation after surgery for compressive myelopathy in a pediatric patient.

## Key findings

- The patient experienced lower limb weakness due to basilar invagination and foramen magnum stenosis.
- Surgery followed by physiotherapy improved the patient's functional independence.
- MRI confirmed the diagnosis of compressive myelopathy at the cranio-vertebral junction.

## Abstract

Myelopathy manifests in childhood and can be clinically categorized according to the site of injury (which may result in spinal syndrome) or the source (which may be nontraumatic or widely traumatic). Nontraumatic myelopathy can be caused by inflammatory, infectious, nutritional, metabolic, or ischemic factors. It may also be associated with systemic illnesses such as demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis, or systemic lupus. Nonintentional harm is a significant factor to take into account in instances of traumatic myelopathy, which can frequently be linked to additional injuries. MRI and CT radiography help identify compressive myelopathy. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl who is right-hand dominant. She was in good health six months ago but recently began experiencing weakness in both of her lower limbs. An MRI of the brain revealed basilar invagination with stenosis of the foramen magnum, causing compressive myelopathy at the cranio-vertebral junction. The patient was operated on, followed by physiotherapy rehabilitation to improve functional independence and quality of life.