Abstract
A 68-year-old patient status-post left total hip arthroplasty was seen by a student physical therapist for 3 physical therapy encounters in a 2-day period at an acute care facility under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, the 10 Meter Walk Test, the modified Iowa Level of Assistance scale, the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care “6 Clicks”, and the Wells criteria for deep venous thrombosis. A plan of care was established to address the patient’s moderate pain levels, moderately impaired left hip flexion and abduction range of motion, severely impaired gait speed, and severely limited functional mobility, all of which resulted in her being unable to safely discharge home the same day of surgery. Main goals for the patient were to improve pain, achieve independence with functional mobility and ambulation, and navigate stairs to ensure a safe transition from the hospital to her home. Main interventions used were patient education, therapeutic exercise for range of motion and strengthening, and task-specific functional mobility training focused on bed mobility, transfers, gait training, and stair training.
The patient demonstrated improved hip range of motion and overall functional mobility. The patient was discharged home the day after surgery with assist along with a home exercise program, a fitted front-wheeled walker, and a referral for home health physical therapy.