Abstract
A 65-year-old male patient who was 6-weeks post right total knee arthroplasty was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 12 sessions over a 7-week period at an orthopedic outpatient clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with Manual Muscle Testing, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Range of Motion Measurements, the 10-Minute Walk Test, the Patient Specific Functional Scale, and the Wells Criteria. A plan of care was established to address impairments in right knee mobility and strength secondary to pain and swelling, limitations in gait mechanics and ambulation, and restrictions in work participation. The main goals for the patient were to improve pain symptoms, knee range of motion, lower extremity strength, gait mechanics and speed, step length, functional weight-bearing, and work participation. The main interventions used were resistance training, gait training, functional training, restorative training, endurance training, and manual therapy. The patient responded well to physical therapy and demonstrated significant improvements in gait mechanics, walking speed, pain symptoms, weight-bearing tolerance, and work participation, and moderate improvements in knee range of motion and lower extremity strength. The patient was discharged to continue living independently at home with a home exercise program with a recommendation for follow up with outpatient physical therapy.