Myalgia as a symptom at hospital admission by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain as long-term post-COVID sequelae: a case-control study

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

This qualitative exploratory study addressed the perspectives of Spanish physical therapists (PTs) regarding (a) the organization of their work during the first wave of the pandemic; (b) their role within the intensive care units (ICUs); (c) management of COVID-19 survivors; (d) potential future challenges identified for the physical therapy profession. Thirty PTs who had worked at a National Public Hospital in Madrid during the first COVID-19 outbreak were recruited by purposeful sampling and snowball techniques. In-depth interviews and researcher field notes were used to collect data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. After identifying 1110 codes, four themes emerged. Throughout the first wave of the pandemic, the role and work of PTs in hospitals experienced a change. These changes took place at their organizational level, affecting the distribution of PTs in the hospital, and the role of PTs in front-line COVID units such as ICUs, as well as direct management of outpatients at the onset of the pandemic, and after discharge from the ICUs. This situation has led to PTs foreseeing challenges and developing new expectations concerning their role and the physical therapy profession in the future.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Challenges for Physical Therapy during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study on the Experience of Physical Therapists in Spain

Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

“…It has been demonstrated that at the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection, myalgia is associated with a higher chance of developing post-COVID syndrome and the presence of post-COVID musculoskeletal symptoms. In the latter case, the pain of the acute phase does not disappear and becomes an important characteristic of long-COVID [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Several longitudinal studies conducted in Turkey, France, and Italy followed COVID-19 patients 6 months after discharge.…”

Section: Covid-19 and Musculoskeletal Dysfunctionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 in Joint Ageing and Osteoarthritis: Current Status and Perspectives

Lauwers

Yuan

et al. 2022

IJMS

COVID-19 is a trending topic worldwide due to its immense impact on society. Recent trends have shifted from acute effects towards the long-term morbidity of COVID-19. In this review, we hypothesize that SARS-CoV-2 contributes to age-related perturbations in endothelial and adipose tissue, which are known to characterize the early aging process. This would explain the long-lasting symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 as the result of an accelerated aging process. Connective tissues such as adipose tissue and musculoskeletal tissue are the primary sites of aging. Therefore, current literature was analyzed focusing on the musculoskeletal symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Hypovitaminosis D, increased fragility, and calcium deficiency point towards bone aging, while joint and muscle pain are typical for joint and muscle aging, respectively. These characteristics could be classified as early osteoarthritis-like phenotype. Exploration of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and osteoarthritis on endothelial and adipose tissue, as well as neuronal function, showed similar perturbations. At a molecular level, this could be attributed to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression, renin-angiotensin system dysfunction, and inflammation. Finally, the influence of the nicotinic cholinergic system is being evaluated as a new treatment strategy. This is combined with the current knowledge of musculoskeletal aging to pave the road towards the treatment of long-term COVID-19.

“…In addition to this, musculoskeletal sequelae are reported by COVID‐19 (Disser et al., 2020), these sequelae were also observed in patients with post‐severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS; Moldofsky & Patcai, 2011). Among people who overcome COVID‐19, 38% exhibit post‐COVID musculoskeletal pain (Fernandez‐de‐Las‐Penas et al., 2021); and between 52% and 72% have muscle fatigue (Halpin et al., 2021; Townsend et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy in physical sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A case report

Flores

2022

Physiotherapy Res Intl

Background Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome‐CoV‐2 can present physical complications that can make the return to their daily physical activities difficult. Despite the positive results in different pathologies through musculoskeletal physiotherapy, there are few reports in post‐COVID‐19 patients. This case describes an intervention based on musculoskeletal physiotherapy in a post‐COVID‐19 adult woman with physical sequelae. Methods As part of an initial evaluation in a woman with physical sequelaes post‐COVID‐19, it was decided to conduct a musculoskeletal physiotherapy over a course of 5 weeks distributed in 15 visits. To evaluate her progress the joint ranges were evaluated according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), the Numerical pain scale was used, the muscle strength evaluated according to the Daniel Scale, and finally the Unipodal Station Test used. Results Musculoskeletal physiotherapy improved the patient's physical symptoms. The patient's pain was reduced from a value of 10 to 3; the strength of the musculature increased from a value of 2 to 4; initial joint ranges were expanded from 67% to 100% in various body segments. Finally, the woman managed to stay up to 8 s in the monopodal position. Discussion Using musculoskeletal physical therapy and measuring progress through quantitative measurements at each visit, a post‐COVID‐19 woman was able to resume her daily physical activities. This therapy is a valuable tool to recover the musculoskeletal system that proves to be an important advance in the recovery of the quality of life in patients with musculoskeletal sequelae from COVID‐19.