Abstract
A 61-year-old female patient who was 1 day status post left knee arthrotomy, left knee irrigation and debridement, and left femur hardware removal due to deep hardware infection was seen by a student physical therapist for 3 sessions over the course of 4 days at an acute inpatient hospital under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, levels of assistance, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, Functional Independence Measure, and Short Form (36) Health Survey. A plan of care was established to address pain, improve functional mobility, and maintain the post-surgical weight bearing precaution of toe-touch weight bearing with left knee neutral when ambulating. Main goals for the patient were sequencing using a front wheeled walker while maintaining weight bearing status with modified independence, decrease pain, and improve all functional mobility to safely discharge home. Stages of bone and tissue healing guided the main interventions used including, task-oriented training, overload principle, gentile’s taxonomy, and caregiver/patient education. The patient achieved the following goals including decreased pain, independent bed mobility from supine to sit at the edge of the bed, modified independence in transfers with a front wheeled walker, and modified independence when ambulating 200 feet within the hospital hallways while maintaining the restricted weight baring status. The patient was discharged home with a discharge summary of instructions, home health physical therapy, 24/7 family care, and outpatient infusion therapy.