Abstract
A 77-year-old female patient referred to physical therapy with a medical diagnosis of right- sided sciatica was seen for physical therapy for 12 sessions from June 2020 to August 2020 at an outpatient physical therapy setting. Treatments were provided by a physical therapist student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, lower extremity neurological exam, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and Lower Extremity Functional Scale and a plan of care was established to address psychosocial factors, pain in the lower extremity, diminished sensation, decreased strength, and decreased range of motion in the right lower extremity and limitations in standing, sitting, and driving capacity. Main goals for the patient were to decrease right lower extremity pain, decrease psychosocial factors impacting pain experience, and increase independence in instrumental activities of daily living. Main interventions used were pain neuroscience education, low intensity aerobic training, core stability and strengthening, and functional training. The patient had a positive response to interventions and experienced a decrease in lower extremity pain, increased lower extremity sensation and improvement in instrumental activities of daily living. The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program and recommendation for follow-up in 1 month.