Abstract
Scar tissue from abdominal surgeries, such as cholecystectomy, can lead to long-term issues such as restricted movement, painful spasms, and impaired function. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis is a common surgical treatment for pathological scar tissue impairments. Conservative care, such as physical therapy, is a commonly used approach for managing pathological scar tissue. In this case, manual therapy techniques and targeted exercises successfully reduced the intensity and frequency of abdominal spasms, improved core strength and endurance, and enhanced overall functional mobility. These improvements were reflected in enhanced scores on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale and the Vancouver Scar Scale in a 59-year-old woman who was referred to physical therapy following a cholecystectomy five years prior. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of a combined manual and exercise-based physical therapy approach in treating chronic scar tissue adhesions, muscle spasms, and functional limitations post-cholecystectomy, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive treatment plan for managing patients with similar conditions.
Recommended Citation
Griñe, Raeisa and Adam Walsh. "Scar Tissue Adhesions, Neuromuscular Guarding, and Functional Recovery: A Case Report of Physical Therapy Post-Cholecystectomy." Western Journal of Orthopaedics 14, 1 (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wjo/vol14/iss1/16