Enhancing Chest Expansion by Segmental Breathing and Specific Splinted Positioning in Pleural Effusion Patient: A Case Report on Effective Therapeutic Interventions

Abstract

Introduction: Although pleural effusion is a quite frequent illness, there are currently no established guidelines for India. Its significant impact on quality of life, the role of physiotherapy in management remains under-investigated. This case report aims to address this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of early physiotherapy interventions in a patient with massive pleural effusion.

Main Symptoms and Clinical Findings: A 39-year-old male presented with shortness of breath and dry cough attributed to right-sided massive pleural effusion. Initial investigations confirmed the diagnosis, and an intercostal chest drain was inserted.

Main Diagnoses, Therapeutic Interventions, and Outcomes: The patient received physiotherapy interventions targeting both short-term and long-term goals. However, chest expansion limitations due to post-ICD insertion pain emerged as a primary challenge. Focused positioning and segmental breathing exercises initiated in the second week led to significant improvements in chest expansion and a reduction in dyspnoea as measured by the MMRC scale.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the potential of early, targeted physiotherapy in managing the symptoms and functional limitations associated with pleural effusion. The rapid improvement in chest expansion and reduced breathlessness following specific interventions highlights the value of physiotherapy in this patient population. However, the delayed initiation of effective physiotherapy and the patient’s early discharge limited the overall treatment duration and precluded long-term follow-up, emphasizing the need for further research to establish optimal treatment protocols and outcomes.