Use of Dry Needling Therapy as an Adjunct to Physical Therapy Treatment of an Individual with Knee Pain Complicated by Joint Hypermobility Syndrome: A Case Report

Background: Joint hypermobility syndrome is an overarching term for a variety of disorders relating to abnormalities in tissue extensibility. Dry needling is an intervention that is growing in popularity to treat musculoskeletal pain often by targeting trigger points. The purpose of this case report is to present how dry needling techniques were used as part of the plan of care for an individual with knee pain complicated by hypermobility syndrome. Case Description: The patient was a middle-aged nurse with complaints of right knee pain, who presented with increased tone throughout her posterior lower extremity musculature. Due to the pain, she modified her activity levels and work duties. Intervention: The therapist performed dry needling techniques to the right posterior lower extremity musculature with a focus on improving tissue extensibility and reducing pain at the beginning of her treatment. Additional treatments including neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercises and manual therapy were subsequently performed. Discussion: Dry needling was used initially to promote decreased symptoms and improved tissue mechanics in order to begin stability training to further reduce pain. At the end of therapy, the patient had a clear decrease in pain and improvement in her ability to perform functional tasks and activities.