Abstract
A patient following a left total knee replacement to correct painful end-stage osteoarthritis was seen for physical therapy treatment for 5 sessions from 7/1/15 to 7/3/15 in an acute care hospital setting. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Timed Up and Go test to measure functional mobility and assess fall risk, the Oxford Knee Score to measure knee function and knee pain, and the Wells Clinical Decision Rule to assess the likelihood of the presence of a deep vein thrombosis. A plan of care was established to fit the individual’s impairments determined by the initial evaluation. The main goals for the patient were to improve strength, endurance, gait quality, functional mobility, functional independence, and reduce fall risk. Main interventions used were over-ground gait training, progressive strength training, and functional task-specific training. Throughout the episode of care the patient improved strength, endurance, gait quality, functional mobility, and functional independence. All goals were met in these areas of focus, except the patient remained at high fall risk based on the Timed Up and Go test findings. The patient was discharged home with a home exercise program, a recommendation of supervision as needed, and with home health physical therapy and nursing.