Painful camptocormia: the relevance of shaking your patient's hand

Eur Spine J. 2010 Jul;19 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S87-90. doi: 10.1007/s00586-009-1086-6. Epub 2009 Jul 10.

Abstract

Camptocormia is an abnormal posture with marked flexion of thoracolumbar spine that abates in the recumbent position. Camptocormia has been described in various neurological (Parkinsonism), muscular (myopathy), psychogenic or orthopedic disorders. There are several hypotheses that can explain this impaired posture but they are usually related to the concomitant pathologies. We report the first case of a patient with confirmed myotonic dystrophy addressed to our medical center for impaired posture who underwent extensive medical exams and explorations because of a myotonic hand. Axial weakness and muscle atrophy, validated by CT-scan imaging, are discussed independent of the concomitant pathology (Parkinson, myopathy).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Back Pain / etiology
  • Back Pain / physiopathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Hand / pathology
  • Hand / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Muscular Atrophy / pathology
  • Muscular Atrophy / physiopathology*
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / complications
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / pathology
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / physiopathology*
  • Postural Balance / physiology*
  • Spinal Diseases / etiology
  • Spinal Diseases / pathology
  • Spinal Diseases / physiopathology*