Abstract
A 48-year-old female patient with a right lateral ankle sprain sustained while working was seen for physical therapy treatment for a total of 9 sessions in a 3-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 ankle figure-8 measurement, numeric pain rating scale, goniometry, ligamentous integrity tests, single leg balance and the lower extremity functional scale. A plan of care was established to address edema, range of motion loss, impaired ability to accept weight, antalgic gait, and inability to return work as a house cleaner. Main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, walk with a normal gait pattern, and return to work as a house cleaner.
Main interventions used were range of motion exercises, progressive resistance exercises, manual therapy, balance exercises, gait training, neuromuscular reeducation and patient education. The patient responded well to physical therapy interventions and achieved the following goals: decreased pain and swelling and improvements in motor control, range of motion, weight acceptance, balance and gait kinematics.
The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program but was recommended for continuation of outpatient physical therapy to further address functional limitations as patient was pending approval from the physician to return to work.