Abstract
A patient with a high thoracic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) was seen for physical therapy for 8 sessions over a 4-week period at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Treatment was provided by a student of physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter by the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ASIA Impairment Scale), Goniometric Measures of Lower Extremity Flexibility, Manual Muscle Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, 10-Meter Walk Test, Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulatory Index, Falls Efficacy Scale, and Short Form-36 and a plan of care was established. The main goals for the patient were to improve lower extremity range of motion, strength, motor recruitment and control of trunk musculature, aerobic endurance, gait speed, functional independence with ambulation, and reduce fear of falling. The main interventions used were over-ground gait training, balance training, task-specific training for strength, flexibility, and fall recovery. The patient improved endurance, gait speed, and functional independence with ambulation. The patient was discharged home with a home exercise program to continue improvements in strength, flexibility, standing balance, ambulation parameters, and efficacy with dynamic positions with decreased fear of falling.