Physical therapy for facial paralysis: a tailored treatment approach.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bell palsy is an acute facial paralysis of unknown etiology. Although recovery from Bell palsy is expected without intervention, clinical experience suggests that recovery is often incomplete. This case report describes a classification system used to guide treatment and to monitor recovery of an individual with facial paralysis.

CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 71-year-old woman with complete left facial paralysis secondary to Bell palsy. Signs and symptoms were assessed using a standardized measure of facial impairment (Facial Grading System [FGS]) and questions regarding functional limitations. A treatment-based category was assigned based on signs and symptoms. Rehabilitation involved muscle re-education exercises tailored to the treatment-based category.

OUTCOMES: In 14 physical therapy sessions over 13 months, the patient had improved facial impairments (initial FGS score= 17/100, final FGS score= 68/100) and no reported functional limitations.

DISCUSSION: Recovery from Bell palsy can be a complicated and lengthy process. The use of a classification system may help simplify the rehabilitation process.