Abstract
A 77-year-old female patient with left knee osteoarthritis was seen for physical therapy treatment for 15 sessions in an 8-week period at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. 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 range of motion measurements of the bilateral hips, knees, and ankles; manual muscle tests of the bilateral quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemii, and glutei medii; muscle length measurements of the bilateral hip flexors and hamstrings; numeric pain rating scale; Selective Functional Movement Assessment; Lower Extremity Functional Scale; and patient report of participation restrictions. A plan of care was established to address moderately impaired range of motion of the lower extremities; mild to moderate weakness of the lower extremities; inability to walk or sit for more than 30 minutes; poor sleep quality; and restricted participation in her role as a grandmother. The main goals for the patient were to sleep without pain, transfer in and out of her car independently, reduce her pain in sitting and walking, and to play on the floor with her grandchildren. The main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, balance training, and an aerobic program. The patient achieved the following goals: sleeping without waking due to pain, independent car transfers, and no pain during walking up to 45 minutes or sitting up to 2 hours. The patient was discharged to home with independent status and instructions to continue her Home Exercise Program.