Abstract
A 44-year-old patient with 29% total body surface area partial-thickness and full-thickness burns to the bilateral lower extremities (LE), circumferential left upper extremity, right hand, and face was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 28 sessions over an 8-week period at a major hospital under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter using goniometry, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, the Berg Balance Scale, the 10 Meter Walk Test, and the Global Rate of Change Scale. A plan of care was established to address pain, limited range of motion, decreased functional mobility, and restricted independent community ambulation. Main goals for the patient were to increase ankle range of motion, to increase independence in functional mobility, and to return to independent community ambulation. Main interventions used were stretching, splinting, and task-specific training. The patient achieved the following goals: increase in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, independence in functional mobility, and community ambulation. The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program and recommendations to follow up with outpatient physical therapy.