Abstract
A 51-year-old male with a right knee degenerative medial meniscus tear was seen for 18 visits in a 12-week period for outpatient physical therapy. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with goniometry measurement, manual muscle testing, knee girth measurements, numeric pain rating scale, lower extremity functional scale, and meniscal pathology composite score. A plan of care was established to address impaired right knee range of motion, limited lower extremity function during squatting, walking, and stair activities, and restricted participation in work and martial arts training. Main goals for the patient were to regain normal knee range of motion, improve squatting tolerance, and return to martial arts training. Main interventions used were task specific training and functional training. The patient responded well to physical therapy interventions, and showed improvements in knee range of motion, strength, knee girth, pain, squatting tolerance, stair activities and was able to return to sport. The patient was discharged home with a home exercise program.