Use of a Patient-Specific Outcome Measure and a Movement Classification System to Guide Nonsurgical Management of a Circus Performer with Low Back Pain: A Case Report

Low back pain (LBP) can be detrimental to the career of a circus arts performer, yet there is minimal population-specific literature to guide care. Moreover, reluctance to discontinue training and the need to resume end-range lumbar motion can impede the success of conservative care. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of a patient-specific outcome measure and a movement classification system to structure a home exercise program (HEP) for an adolescent training to be a circus performer. The patient was a 16-year-old female with a 10-month history of LBP. A Movement System Impairment examination indicated that she had lower abdominal weakness, gluteal weakness, and hip flexors that were short and stiff; hence, extension and rotation were repeated patterns of lumbopelvic movement associated with her LBP symptoms. The patient was seen for 16 visits over 16 weeks. The HEP focused on minimizing lumbopelvic extension and rotation movements while improving abdominal and gluteal strength and hip flexor flexibility. Resumption of acrobatic activities was guided by the Patient-Specific Functional Scale. As measured by this scale, her difficulty with five functional and acrobatic activities decreased from 4/10 at initial evaluation to less than or equal to 1/10 by discharge. It is concluded that using an outcome measure to assess difficulty of activities chosen by the patient and education on how to avoid movement patterns associated with LBP symptoms can help facilitate return to performance.