Understanding the Biopsychosocial reasoning process in chronic back pain: A single case study part 3

The 3rd part of this series of naked tales of a studying physio picks up from where we left part 2. Here I talk about my observations and formulate my case for management.  You can read parts 1 and 2 here and here. 

Observations

Interestingly, as the patient walked into the examination room it was observed and noted that the patient had a mild ataxic gait. Further investigation of his medical history revealed no motor or cerebellar insult this was supported by a brain MRI in February 2015 which ruled out any indication of brain infarct.

The presentation of the patient’s mild ataxia was discussed with the assessing psychologist and medical doctor. It was agreed that the continuation of a pain management program was appropriate considering the ataxic gait had been apparent since his injury and that major brain infarction had been ruled out. Furthermore, it was agreed that the ataxic gait may have been a result of excessive alcohol consumption or a pain behaviour as a result of operant conditioning. According to Fordyce’s (1979) behavioural model of pain, pain behaviours are influenced by three important factors: nociception, pain and suffering. Loeser (1982) further expanded Fordyce’s model to include social environment (Figure 4).

The screening exam included a neuromuscular examination of the lower extremities consisting of dermatomal sensation, myotomal strength, deep tendon reflexes and upper motor neurone testing, including Babinski and clonus. There were no abnormal findings with neurological testing. Further test of cerebellar function included heel shin test, rapid tapping of foot and finger nose test. Some slowness in movement was noted but no lack of co-ordination (Butler, 2000).

Spinal range of movement (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) was assessed with quick range of movement tests to peripheral joints including hips and shoulders to minimize exacerbation of pain.

Isolated strength testing had been conducted during neurological testing and as such task specific testing was conducted. A simple assessment of everyday tasks was performed.  This included assessment of gait, sit to stand test, lifting test and lift and carry test. Testing was aimed at identifying pain behaviours and beliefs during activity and also obtain an objective baseline of physical exertion using the rate of perceived exertion scale (Borg, 1982).

Questionnaires

 

The patient was asked to complete the following screening questionnaires:

1. Disability Anxiety Stress Scale
2. Pain Catastrophising Scale
3. Pain Disability Index

Each questionnaire was clinically justified from the subjective history and nature of the patient’s presentation, particularly drawn from his beliefs, anxiety and fear of movement.

Case Formulation

The case formulation is based upon information gathered from the case history. It aims to identify aspects of the patient’s experiences living with pain and appropriately apply a clinically reasoned hypothesis for management intervention. The case formulation is based upon Vertue & Haig’s (2008) Abductive Theory of Method (ATOM). Abductive reasoning is the inference of problem patterns that are observed in a person’s functioning to which a plausible explanation can be given (Vertue & Haig, 2008).

The case formulation is separated into the following:

Relatively Stable Phenomena

• Pain behaviours – breath holding, ataxic gait, tensing on movement, jaw contortion
• Pain related anxiety and avoidance
• Work disability

Biophysical

• Vertebral fractures at C1, C2 T4-T7
• Rib fractures including bilateral Rib 1
• Disc collapse and calcification T10/11
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Central Sensitisation

Psychological

• Unhelpful beliefs about pain and activity
• Catastrophising
• Anxiety/stress about spine pathology
• Negative reinforcement from avoiding movements expected to be painful
• Issues with WC not providing funding for surgery
• Memory issues and frustration

Social

• Unhelpful explanations from treatment providers
• Isolating himself due to unemployment and living with father
• On long term compensation
• Cognitive overload in busy environments

Proximal causal factors

• Fall off bike causing disc collapse and calcification

 

Maintaining factors

Specialist perpetuating anxiety with fear inducing language

Case management not providing funding for required surgery

Anxiety and pain behavior reinforcing disability

Negative beliefs reinforcing fears and disability

Healthcare providers not providing adequate explanation to reduce fear and anxiety

Consideration of the relationships these factors can be demonstrated in the following diagram (Figure 5).

Vertue & Haig (2008) state, ‘case formulation is the culmination of the clinical reasoning process and is a comprehensive and, hopefully, integrated conceptualization of a case encompassing phenomenology, etiology, maintaining factors, prognosis, and treatment recommendations.’

In essence it provides a comprehensive hypotheses based upon a biopsychosocial framework to deliver appropriate management to a multidimensional problem such as persistent back pain. Intervention may include rehabilitation principles from physiotherapy to address the negative beliefs and behaviour about movement and poor physical health, psychology to apply cognitive behavioural approaches to challenge unhelpful thought patterns and occupational therapy to support the patient in return to work and social isolation.

A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) would collaboratively work with the patient to address many of the issues limiting his life through problem solving and goal setting. Furthermore, a significant factor that I believe has contributed to the patient’s low mood is the message from the orthopaedic specialist. Contact with the orthopaedic specialist to further discuss the evidence (or lack of) around benign spinal pathology and pain and the evidence for and against having spinal surgery in relation to the patients pathology would perhaps provide the patient with some reassurance about his injury.

Conclusion

The case report describes a complex case study of a patient living with a 5-year history of persistent back pain. The application of a case formulation process adopting a biopsychosocial framework aims to provide the clinician or MDT with the appropriate means to deliver a more comprehensive and effective management plan.

Albeit brief regarding intervention this case study is to demonstrate critical thinking in order to appropriately apply clinical reasoning for an intervention plan. The final part is still to come, which is my personal reflection on what I could have expanded on and discussed further. A 3000 word limit I have found can be somewhat restrictive. 

I hope that this case study has provided an insight into the complexity of formulating an appropriate management plan using a BPS framework. I hope it brings some guidance to clinicians looking to venture into understanding the BPS model and the assessment criteria required for case formulation.

Thanks for having a read and watch out for part 4 next week.

TNP

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