Effects of osteopathic treatments in a patient who underwent two cardiac surgeries - A case report

Introduction

Surgical scars often lead to pain and can impact function. The osteopathic approach could be a valuable care option, especially for patients who have not fully recovered their health after a reasonable recovery period, but the mechanisms of action remain unknown.

Objective

This study aims to describe how osteopathic interventions, guided by emerging models, can support the improvement of a patient's condition related to the consequences of thoracic surgeries.

Case description

A 56-year-old woman who underwent two thoracic cardiac surgeries (at 15 and 55 years old) post-endocarditis suffered, since the last surgery, from severe functional limitations (reduced respiratory amplitude, severe pain in the sternal region, difficulty lying on her back and stomach, lack of endurance when walking, poor sleep quality, limitations in daily activities) and presented with postural disturbances potentially related to these symptoms. There were hypoesthesias and sensitivity signs suggestive of pain catastrophizing.

Outcomes

Following initial evaluation, the patient received 4 one-hour osteopathic treatments. Four out of nine indicators of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-60 (MOS SF-36) have improved: estimation of general health status, level of pain, general health indicator, and physical functioning. Pain decreased from 7 to 3/10 and walking distance increased to over 1.6 km.

Conclusion

Although post-surgical osteopathic interventions often involve scar tissue work to recover local tissue mobility or primarily musculoskeletal maneuvers, in this case, the interventions were guided by multiple models—including interoception, the biopsychosocial framework, and a patient-centered approach—to align with the patient's condition and recovery potential.