Abstract
A 16-year-old female who was 10 days post right medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction was seen for physical therapy treatment for 17-sessions over the course of 8 weeks at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Treatment was provided by a physical therapy student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with goniometry, manual muscle testing, numeric pain rating scale, Wells Criteria, observation of gait, the lower extremity functional scale, and patient report of participation. A plan of care was established to address pain, limitation of right knee range of motion, right lower extremity weakness, and motor control which affected the patient’s functional mobility and gait, restricting her ability to participate as a student, in school plays, and sports. In collaboration with the student physical therapist, the patient’s main goals were to increase right knee range of motion and strength, decrease pain, improve gait, improve motor control of the right quadriceps, and restore functional ability to allow her to return to her participation as a student, be in school plays, and play sports. Main interventions used were stretching, therapeutic exercises, therapeutic activities, gait training, and patient education. She demonstrated improvement in right knee range of motion and strength, gait mechanics, motor control, and lower extremity function. The patient was transferred to the care of another physical therapist, due to the end of the student’s clinical rotation, to continue physical therapy with a focus on returning to regular participation in school plays and play sports.