Abstract
A 56-year-old patient with 7% total body surface area full-thickness burn injuries to her abdomen and lower extremities was seen for 7 physical therapy sessions over a 1-week period in a burn intensive care unit at a major acute care hospital. Physical therapy examination and treatment was provided by a physical therapy student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, walking distance, and the 10-Meter Walk Test. A plan of care was established to address pain, reduced range of motion, decreased functional mobility, and restricted ambulatory status. Main goals for the patient were to reduce pain, increase ankle dorsiflexion and hip extension range of motion, and improve functional mobility to prepare the patient to be able to ambulate around her garden independently. Main interventions used were stretching, splinting, patient education, and task-specific training for functional mobility.
The patient responded well to physical therapy interventions and achieved the following goals: increased ankle dorsiflexion and hip extension range of motion, improved functional mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living, and improved gait distance and velocity. The patient was discharged to her home to live with her son and was provided with a home exercise program and a recommendation for follow-up with outpatient physical therapy.