Abstract
A patient 2 weeks and 4 days status post left medial and lateral meniscectomy was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 12 sessions over a 6-week period at an outpatient orthopedic clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the numeric pain rating scale, goniometry, manual muscle testing, single leg stance test, the lower extremity functional scale, the Well’s criteria for deep vein thrombosis, and patient report of work participation. A plan of care was established to address decreased knee range of motion and lower extremity strength, decreased left lower extremity balance, mild limitation in lower extremity function, and restricted work participation. Main goals for the patient were to improve his ability to squat so that he could return to work and recreational activities without knee pain. Main interventions used were therapeutic exercises, balance training, neuromuscular control, functional exercises, and patient education. The patient achieved the following goals: improved knee range of motion, increased hip abduction, knee extension, and knee flexion strength, and returned to unrestricted work participation. The patient was discharged to home to continue independent management of his condition with a home exercise program.