Abstract
A 78-year-old patient status post lumbar fusion was seen in the acute care setting for physical therapy treatment lasting 7 sessions over the course of 4 days starting the day after surgery. 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 manual muscle testing, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the Wells Criteria Score for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), the Boston University Activity Measure for Post Acute Care ‘6-Clicks’Basic Mobility Inpatient Short Form (AM-PAC), and the Five Times Sit to Stand test, after which a plan of care was established. The plan of care was implemented to address impaired lower extremity strength, pain, risk for DVT, impaired functional mobility, impaired dynamic balance, and impaired functional independence. The main goals for the patient were to improve lower extremity strength, decrease pain and DVT risk, improve functional mobility, improve dynamic balance, and increase functional independence. Main interventions used were therapeutic exercise and task-specific training. The patient responded well to physical therapy and achieved improvements in functional mobility, dynamic balance, and functional independence. The patient was discharged home with a home exercise program and home health physical therapy.