A case series on the effect of lidocaine injection on camptocormia in Parkinson disease: Determination of injection site using muscle hardness tester.

RATIONALE: Camptocormia is a debilitating postural abnormality associated with Parkinson disease (PD), significantly impairing the daily lives of affected patients. Treatment options remain inconsistent, with lidocaine injections emerging as a potential therapy. However, the lack of standardized protocols hinders their widespread application. The present study aimed to introduce a novel method using a muscle hardness tester to objectively determine optimal injection sites.

PATIENT CONCERNS: Patients presented with postural abnormalities characterized by forward flexion, which interfered with daily activities and reduced their quality of life.

DIAGNOSES: Camptocormia associated with PD was diagnosed based on clinical assessment and radiographic evaluation.

INTERVENTIONS: Lidocaine injections were administered to 4 patients with PD and camptocormia. Injection sites were determined based on muscle hardness measurements obtained using a muscle hardness meter. A total of 20 mL of 1% lidocaine, distributed as 2.5 mL per injection at 8 sites with the highest muscle hardness values, was administered daily for 5 consecutive days. The postural evaluation was conducted using established criteria, assessing both lower and upper flexion. Radiographic parameters, including lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and sagittal vertical axis, were also evaluated. Radiographic assessments were performed on days 1, 5, and 1 month postinjection.

OUTCOMES: Post-treatment assessments, including spinal flexion measurements and subjective symptom evaluations, demonstrated symptomatic improvement in all cases, particularly in sagittal vertical axis, a key indicator of postural alignment.

LESSONS: Our method offers a reproducible approach for enhancing lidocaine injection efficacy. Given its transient effects, repeated administration was necessary. Future studies should focus on refining dosing regimens and expanding case numbers to establish long-term efficacy and optimize treatment strategies. The widespread adoption of this therapy may significantly benefit patients with PD affected by camptocormia.