Musculoskeletal symptoms in COVID-19 and physiotherapy role: Literature review and case study

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 in humans is a fatal respiratory disorder caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It started and suddenly rose in Wuhan, China, then became a pandemic affecting many areas worldwide. 1,2 COVID-19 symptoms include elevated temperature, dry coughing, sputum production, breathlessness, hypoxemia, itchy throat, headache, chills, vomiting, nasal blockage, diffuse alveolar damage, hemoptysis, smell and taste disturbances, conjunctival congestion, dysphagia, and symptoms of the neuropsychological and musculo-skeletal systems. [2][3][4] Among the musculo-skeletal symptoms are muscle and joint aches, muscle weakness, fatigue, back pain, and sarcopenia. 5 About ¾ and 2/5 of the patients had at least one of these symptoms at 3 and 6 months, respectively. 6 However, studies to assess, treat, or rehabilitate the disability resulting from symptoms of the musculoskeletal system are lacking, and the authors of previous studies recommend performing further studies in this regard. 7