Post-operative osteopathic manipulative treatment of Morel-Lavallee syndrome assessed using infrared thermal imaging: A case report

Introduction: The Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is a closed, degloving soft-tissue injury, wherein the skin and subcutaneous tissue are separated from the underlying fascia. This syndrome causes disruption of wound healing. Infrared thermography is a noninvasive and pain-free tool that can be used to evaluate scar and the influence of osteopathic manipulative treatment. Objective: To evaluate the influence of post-operative osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) of MorelLavallee lesions (MLL). Methods: During four osteopathic sessions on one volunteer patient, 28-year-old male, resulting in MLL of the left knee after motorcycle accident. The effects of OMT were assessed using an infrared thermal imaging camera and qualitative palpation examination of osteopathic dysfunction, scored on a scale of 1-4. Results: and discussion: Both scar and peri-scar area temperatures increased after OMT. The difference in temperature between the scar and the peri-scar area decreased after OMT. Increase in temperature was greater when the OMT was applied around the scar than when applied at a distance from the scar site. The palpation score for dysfunction of the MLL scar site decreased from 4/4 to 2/4 after the final session. Conclusion: Several OMT sessions focusing on the MLL scar site appear necessary to obtain noteworthy results. OMT improved mobility and increased the temperature of the scar and the peri-scar area.