Abstract
A 72-year-old male patient with a medical diagnosis of left unilateral knee osteoarthritis underwent physical therapy for 11 sessions over 6 weeks at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. 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 using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, manual muscle testing, the 30-Second Chair Stand Test, the 40 meter Fast Paced Walk Test and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. A comprehensive plan of care was developed to address the patient’s primary impairments, including moderate left knee pain, mild loss of left knee active range of motion, mild left lower extremity weakness, mild gait deviations, and moderate difficulty with functional mobility and strength. Activity limitations included left lateral knee pain with ambulation, while participation restrictions involved reduced ability to perform work-related tasks.
The primary goals were to reduce pain, improve range of motion, enhance motor control, increase lower-extremity strength, optimize gait mechanics, and promote functional strength, mobility, and participation in work and recreational activities. Interventions included pain management, patient education, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and task-specific training. The patient achieved meaningful improvements, including decreased pain and pain-free knee flexion that allowed squatting for work tasks, and was discharged to independent living with the ability to maintain a home exercise program.