Abstract
A 58 year-old female patient with osteoarthritis of the left hip was seen after a total hip arthroscopy for student physical therapy treatment for 3 sessions over a 2 day period at a sub-acute inpatient unit under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter using a Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Manual Muscle Test, universal goniometry, Wells’ Criteria, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care Inpatient Basic Mobility Short Form, ambulation distance, 10 Meter Walk Test, and observational gait analysis. A plan of care was established to address impaired left hip pain, muscle strength, and range of motion, and to reduce her risk for a deep vein thrombosis. Additionally, interventions targeted limitations in her functional mobility, ambulation distance, gait speed, and gait quality. The goals for the patient were to reduce left hip pain, improve muscle strength in left hip abductors, increase left hip abduction range of motion, and increase basic functional mobility during ambulation and transfers. Furthermore, goals were also made to increase ambulation distance, speed, and quality. Her primary goal was to be discharged home with family as soon as possible. The main interventions used were task-specific functional training, gait training, and modalities. The patient was responsive to the intervention as she met most of her strength, range of motion, and functional goals, and showed substantial improvement with gait speed. Ultimately, the patient met her main goal of being discharged to home with family to continue treatment in an outpatient physical therapy setting.