Abstract
An 80-year-old woman with a left femoral neck fracture status post open reduction and internal fixation received physical therapy once daily for 4 consecutive days at an acute care hospital. The treatment was conducted by a student physical therapist under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was assessed at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Modified 30-Second Sit-to-Stand, Modified Iowa Level of Assistance, the Activity Measure for Post-Acute care "6-clicks", and Wells Criteria for deep vein thrombosis. A plan of care was established to address pain, functional strength deficits, impaired bed mobility, restricted ambulation distance, and the inability to discharge home the day after surgery. The goals of physical therapy were to decrease pain with mobility, improve ambulation, and ultimately return home. Interventions included patient education on pain management and safe movement, strengthening exercises, and task-specific functional mobility training focused on bed mobility, transfers, and early ambulation. The patient demonstrated decreased pain with lower extremity movement and improvements with functional mobility. The patient was discharged to a skilled nursing facility to continue her physical therapy rehabilitation.