Furness MA. Physiotherapy in leprosy.
THE AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 1982;
28:9-12. [PMID:
25026306 DOI:
10.1016/s0004-9514(14)60779-0]
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Abstract
Leprosy in the past has been shrouded in mystery and characterised by deformity. While much more is known of the disease today, allowing the majority of patients to be treated without undue difficulty, physiotherapy in lep-rosy has grown out of a need to prevent, minimise and correct deformities caused by the disease. This paper presents the aetiology of deformity in leprosy and outlines the role of physiotherapy in the management of leprosy patients with neuritis and permanent paralysis. It also describes physiotherapy in tendon transfer surgery and emphasises the need for a domicillary treatment programme to suit the leprosy endemic areas in the Northern Territory of Australia.
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