Muscular Cysticercosis Presenting with Right Side Foot Drop – A Case Study

Mohamed  Nainar A; Hari Babu L; Mohamed Zerein Fathima M; K Kowsigan; MC Karthik; Vijaya Bharathi

Mohamed Nainar A Senior Physiotherapist, Department of PMR, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India.
Hari Babu L Chief Physiotherapist, Department of PMR, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India.
Mohamed Zerein Fathima M Assistant Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies, Chennai, India.
K Kowsigan Physiotherapist, Department of PMR, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India.
MC Karthik Physiotherapist, Department of PMR, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India.
Vijaya Bharathi Physiotherapist, Department of PMR, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, India.

Keywords: Cysticercosis, Taenia Solium, Foot Drop, Fes, Ankle Foot Orthosis

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Taenia solium. It can manifest as either neural or extraneural forms. Extra neural forms commonly involve eyes, skeletal muscles and subcutaneous tissue in the form of a single or multiple submucosal or subcutaneous firm nodules. This single case study is a rare case of muscular cysticercosis affecting the tibialis anterior muscle causing compression of the deep peroneal nerve causing foot drop. This study is to prove the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation along with modified exercise therapy, and ankle foot orthosis (AFO) for management of foot drop. A 42-year-old man presented with a case of foot drop. He was initially treated in the Department of General Surgery and was diagnosed with cysticercosis of the tibialis anterior muscle, which caused compression in the deep peroneal nerve and resulted in foot drop. The subject presented with severe weakness and paralysis of the right foot dorsiflexor muscles, resulting in significant gait impairment and balance issues. He was treated with anthelminthic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy management. A four-week physiotherapy intervention was administered, comprising functional electrical stimulation, AFO, muscle strengthening, proprioceptive exercises, and gait training. The results demonstrated substantial improvements in gait, functional mobility, and dorsiflexion power from 1 to 4 in MRC grading and from 38% to 90% in FADI score suggesting the beneficial impact of physiotherapy in managing foot drop following muscular cysticercosis. This case study sheds light on the potential effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions with medications in enhancing motor function and quality of life in subjects with foot drop resulting from this rare parasitic infection.

How to cite this article:
Nainar A M, Babu L H, Fathima M M Z, Kowsigan K, Karthik M C, Bharathi V. Muscular Cysticercosis Presenting with Right Side Foot Drop – A Case Study. Chettinad Health City Med J. 2024;13(3):109-113.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202451

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