Abstract
A patient with a left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was seen for physical therapy treatment for 9 sessions over 8 weeks 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, knee circumference measurements, the Lachman test, manual muscle tests, the Timed Up and Go test, the Five Times Sit to Stand test, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and the Lysholm score. A plan of care was then established. Main goals for the patient were to improve range of motion, increase strength, decrease knee swelling, increase functional mobility, improve functional transitional movements, and return to participation in hiking for recreation. Main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, modalities, patient education and gait training. The patient improved strength, gait mechanics, lower extremity function, mobility, transitional movements, and demonstrated decreased knee swelling. The patient continued to be seen at the outpatient physical therapy clinic for the duration of her care before she was discharged to continue living at home with a home exercise program.