Abstract
A 16-year-old male status post medial right (R) plica excision was seen for physical therapy (PT) at an outpatient orthopedic clinic. The sessions were provided by a physical therapist student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was first seen 11 days post-surgical intervention and was evaluated at the initial encounter with goniometry, manual muscle testing, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, The Patient Specific Functional Scale, and patient self-report on ability to run on a grass field. The Well’s Criteria was used as a diagnostic measure for the risk of lower extremity (LE) deep vein thrombosis and prognostic factors for post-surgical outcomes were used to predict the patient’s recovery. A plan of care was established to address moderate weakness, range of motion (ROM) deficits and pain in the R LE extremity causing limitations in ambulation and a return to running. Main goals for the patient were to increase strength and ROM, decrease pain and achieve normal ambulation, running and eventually sport, although the time allotted did not allow for therapy specific to returning to sport. Core interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and patient-related education. The patient responded well to treatment and demonstrated improvements in strength, ROM, and functional capacity. The patient was discharged home to be independent with a comprehensive home exercise plan pending request for additional outpatient PT sessions to address return to sport.