Abstract
A patient with lower extremity weakness and a history of polio exacerbations was seen for physical therapy for eight sessions at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was examined at the initial encounter with Manual Muscle Tests, Dynamic Gait Index, Patient Specific Functional Scale, Push and Release Test, Timed Up and Go, and a plan of care was established. Main goals for the patient were to improve strength and motor control in lower extremities, functional mobility, allow participation in the care of his spouse, improve his overall balance and reduce fall risk. Main interventions were lower extremity strengthening and coordination training, balance training, task-specific training, and compensatory strategy considerations. The patient improved his functional mobility, reported subjective improvements in his balance, and partially met strengthening goals. The patient continued with his home exercise program and awaited approval of additional physical therapy visits from his insurance before he resumed his plan of care several weeks later under the care of the supervising physical therapist.