Hirayama Disease: Will Physiotherapy Help?

Hirayama disease (HD) is a rare benign neurological disorder in the young with a male preponderance and usually affecting one upper extremity. It is characterized by the insidious onset and progressive weakness and wasting of a distal extremity. Generally, this disease is considered as a benign and non progressive motor neuron disease that stabilizes within five years of onset. This case report described a 19-year-old male patient who experienced left distal upper extremity amyotrophy with no sensorial abnormality. Early diagnosis is necessary as the use of a simple cervical collar preventing neck flexion, with postural correction and strengthening of weak muscle of hand and forearm has been shown to stop the progression. Further physiotherapy protocols have been found to be helpful in good prognosis of the condition.