Effectiveness of Physical Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Trauma-induced Chronic Torticollis in Raptors

Abstract

Management of trauma-induced chronic torticollis in raptors has historically been challenging. Euthanasia is common in affected birds because of their inability to maintain normal cervical position, although they may be able to function normally. To assess effectiveness of physical therapy of the neck and head as an adjunct treatment for this condition, a case-control study was done in raptors admitted to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program from 2003 to 2010. Eleven cases were identified with a diagnosis of chronic torticollis resulting from traumatic brain injury. Five cases were treated with physical therapy of the head and neck, and 6 control cases did not receive any physical therapy for the torticollis. Of the control cases, 0 of 6 had resolution of the torticollis, 0 of 6 were released, and 5 of 6 were euthanatized. Of the treated cases, 4 of 5 had complete resolution of the torticollis and 5 of 5 were released. Resolution of torticollis differed significantly between cases receiving physical therapy and controls. These results indicate that physical therapy should be used as an adjunctive therapy in cases of chronic torticollis induced by trauma in raptors because it results in better resolution of the torticollis and increased likelihood of release.

Successful Treatment of a Cervical Injury and Myopathy Using Integrative Medicine Techniques in an Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) Following Cervical Entrapment

“…In a case-control study, raptors that received physical therapy (cervical PROM, massage, traction, myofascial release, and laser therapy) had better resolution of the trauma-induced chronic torticollis and increased likelihood of release back into the wild when compared to the control group. 9 In this case, rehabilitation, including PROM, stretching, and massage, was applied to the patient to help maintain cervical range of motion and relaxation of strained cervical muscles. Placing the patient's neck in a normal anatomic position several times a day helps improve mental well-being by allowing patients to establish normal orientation.…”

Immunohistochemical Detection of Axonal Injury in Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) with Traumatic and Fatal Brain Injury

“…However, the extent of accumulation cannot determine the timing of the pathological injury. In the field of wildlife forensic neuropathology, we have observed head injury in birds of prey, resulting in survival times of less than 40 minutes (13). In other cases, involving red kangaroos and olive baboons, we have witnessed near-instantaneous and sudden deaths.…”

Effective botulinum toxin injection guide for treatment of cervical dystonia

“…Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, has a prevalence of 9 per 100,000 individuals and a typical onset at around 50 years of age (Claypool et al, ). It has been reported that unilateral injury to the neck due to surgery, trauma, or mechanical stretching can damage the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI) to cause shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) (Comella and Thompson, ; Conn, ; Nevitt et al, ). SCM shortening is not only a problem among adults, since it can also involve infants in a condition known as congenital muscular torticollis, which has a reported prevalence ranging from 0.3% to 2% (Cheng and Au, ).…”