Physical Therapy Commons^™

Evaluation And Treatment Of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Case Report, Melanie Fuller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) affects 40 to 60% of the US population and is primarily prevalent in 35 to 45 year old females. It involves a multitude of anatomical structures including bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and numerous muscles affecting the TMJ. Examination and treatment of TMD generally requires a whole person approach due to the complexity of involved structures. The purpose of this case study was to educate physical therapists in TMD and pro vide intervention options.

Case Description: The patient was a 36-year-old female referred to physical therapy by her oral surgeon. She presented …

Emg Of Serratus Anterior, Upper, Middle, And Lower Trapezius During Glenohumeral Abduction In A Patient With Scapular Dyskinesia: A Case Study, Tyler Bentrup, Byron Flett, Joshua Sorvig

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Introduction. The purpose of this case study was to examine the differences in muscle activation between the right and left sided upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus anterior in a participant with scapular dyskinesis.

Methods. EMG activity was recorded using a Noraxon TeleMyo2400 G2 telemetry unit with a sampling rate of 1 kHz on the aforementioned muscles.

Results. In comparing UE ratios of EMG activity, it appears that the left lower trapezius exerts a significant amount more of energy than the right lower trapezius.

Conclusion. This study may demonstrate the importance of bilateral lower …

Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation: Case Report, Allen Kennedy

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common problem in the world population and total knee replacement has become the gold standard for repair when the OA becomes severe enough. Total knee replacement, however, is not the complete answer to knee OA. Without rehabilitation these patients may struggle to be fully functional. The purpose of this case study was to describe the rehabilitation of a geriatric patient who underwent TKA and benefited from the use of hydrotherapy in his recovery.

Case Description: This report will look at the rehabilitation of one 73-year-old male patient and interventions …

Conservative Treatment Of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report, Benjamin A. Lofgren

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: This case study provides a description of the outpatient physical therapy management of a 55-year-old female with low back pain and sciatica.

Case Description: Initially, the patient was diagnosed with illiotibial band syndrome (ITB) syndrome. During physical therapy examination, the patient demonstrated signs and symptoms consistent with a lumbar disc pathology. Interventions were designed to address the lumbar disc pathology and included mechanical traction, therapeutic exercises, and patient education for posture, positioning and proper body mechanics.

Outcome: Following 4 weeks of conservative physical therapy treatment, the patient was referred to her primary care physician with a …

Physical Therapy After Anterior Cervical Fusion Of C6-7, Jedrick B. Mazion

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to report one patient's progress while attending physical therapy. This patient had undergone anterior surgical fusion of vertebrae C6-7 two months prior to physical therapy.

Case Description: This case is the story of a 46-year-old right-handed, English-speaking white male who had undergone a cervical fusion of C6-7 after a whiplash type injury. He had symptoms of hand numbness, cramping, and radiating pain with cervical movements. These symptoms caused difficulty for him to work, participate in recreational activities, and interact with his family.

Intervention: The patient was treated …

Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Study Of An Atypical Rehabilitation Progression Due To Unmodifiable Circumstances, Brianna Gustafson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are very prevalent throughout the US. They are often caused by a head injury leading to alterations in brain functioning and often result in lifelong disabilities. Current literature is limited on the aspects of rehabilitation following a TBI because of the many factors that differ within each case. This study will explore an atypical pathway for rehabilitation following a TBI.

Case Description The patient was a 32-year-old male who sustained a TBI following a motor vehicle accident (MVA). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Rancho Los Amigo Scale (RLAS) were assessed initially and …

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Case Report, Joseph R. Perry

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) is plausible and can be treated through skilled physical therapy. The purpose of this case study is to educate and inform on the treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The patient was an 81 year old female, who was direct access and presented to physical therapy with complaints of left buttock and hamstring pain that was exacerbated with prolonged sitting. Upon physical examination it was determined the patient presented with SIJD which demonstrated a left on left sacral rotation, left ups lip, and bilateral anterior rotation of either pelvis intermittently. Official diagnosis was sprain of the sacroiliac …

Conservative Treatment Of 'Flail Chest' Following Non-Union Fractures Of The Thoracic Rib Cage With Secondary Shoulder Pathology: A Case Report, Chase Kerber

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose - Fractures of the thoracic ribs are common injuries with a high incidence of secondary co-morbidities which may require a slower rehabilitation progression and result in a delayed return to full function. Patients with these diagnoses often seek physical therapy intervention in order to regain their prior level of function.

Case Description - A 51 year-old male sustained multiple rib fractures, pneumothorax, and a left shoulder injury as a result of falling backwards off a 6 foot platform. He presented to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment with the goal of returning to his occupation as a …

Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation Case Report, Abby R. Brenner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background & Purpose Total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are the most commonly performed elective surgery in the United States. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common diagnosis treated with a TKA, which aims to restore an individual's functional ability by improving joint biomechanics and decreasing pain. The purpose of this case report is to describe the progression of physical therapy rehabilitation for a patient status post total knee arthroplasty.

Case Description The patient was a 64 year old male who underwent a TKA surgery to resolve the complications from severe osteoarthritis (OA) of his left knee. He presented to physical therapy with …

Effectiveness Of Physical Therapy In An Elderly Man With Lyme Disease: A Case Report, Brittany Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne infectious disease in the United States and presents with symptoms that can be treated with physical therapy intervention. The purposes of this case report are to present (1) an example of physical therapy intervention as treatment for a 61 year old male diagnosed with late stage Lyme disease with multiple impairments; (2) to report the patient's functional outcomes; and (3) to provide basis for further research on the effects of physical therapy intervention as it relates to late stage Lyme disease.

Case Description. The 60 year old, male …

Regaining Function After A Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Report, Talya Lori Tysver

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is a common surgical procedure for the correction of recurrent patellar instability. There is a shortage of case reports, systematic reviews, and meta analyses conducted on the rehabilitation process of MPFL reconstructions post-operatively. The purpose of this case report is to look at the role of physical therapy in the course of recovery for a patient who has undergone an MPFL autograft reconstruction.

Case Description: The patient was a 21 year-old, Caucasian, English-speaking female. She presented with the chief complaint of R knee pain. She also had decreased core, hip, …

Proximal Muscle Weakness And Debility Secondary To Polymyositis: A Case Report, Adam Meidinger

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Polymyositis (PM) is the most common inflammatory myopathy in persons over age 50. It predominantly causes weakness at proximal musculature including the trunk, hips, thighs, shoulders, upper arms, and neck leading to challenges with ambulation and mobility, community activities, and difficulty swallowing, eating, and talking. Studies have shown physical therapy to be a staple in the plan of care for treatment of PM to aid in the restoration of muscle function and to improve or prevent further loss of strength. The purpose of this case report is to outline physical therapy's role in the treatment of a …

Bilateral Hip Apophysitis In Young Athlete: A Case Report, Brooke Vandenbergh

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Today, children are beginning to partake organized sports at a younger age. With this increased demand on their young bodies, the medical field is seeing an increase in acute and overuse injuries. Muscle imbalance and weakness have been linked to overuse injuries in athletes. The purpose of this case study is to examine the benefit and treatment effect of physical therapy guided exercise focusing on the individuals' muscle imbalances and correcting movement patterns to relieve stress on the iliac crest.

Case Description: Patient was a 16-year-old female who was seen at Physical Therapy for bilateral …

An Athlete And Patellar Tendinosis: A Case Study, Lisa Monson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Patellar tendinosis is a pathology among young athletes with research being conducted about it every year. This single patient case study goes through the examination and evaluation leading to a diagnosis along with the treatment, outcomes, and discussion of this patient and patients recorded in other research studies.

Case Description: This case report was conducted on a 15 year old male presenting with left patellar tendinosis. Treatment lasted eight weeks with emphasis on eccentric quadriceps exercises and return to sport activities.

Outcomes: The results of conservative treatment for this young athlete were successful. The …

A Case Report: Paraplegia Secondary To A Failed Lumbar Fusion, Nicole Jefferson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Low back pain is one of the most common symptoms that individuals experience around the world. The total cost for low back pain in the United States are over a billion dollars per year. Although an ample amount of research has been done looking into the epidemiology and treatment of back pain, many people are still suffering from lack of effective treatments.

Case Description: The purpose of this case report was to describe a patient who was post lumbar surgery to evaluate and examine the benefits of physical therapy. The patient in this case report was …

Lumbar Radiculopathy Post Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Study, Amy Harmon

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal diagnosis in America. Approximately 50% of individuals with LBP have recurrent episodes by 1 year, 60% by 2 years, and 70% by 5 years. Micro-lumbar discectomies are often performed to relieve the radiculopathy and pain associated with nerve root entrapment. The purpose of this case study was to describe the clinical decision process implemented for the post-operative assessment and intervention of a patient with a L4-5, L5-S1 discectomy and to outline the associated outcomes.

Case Description: The patient, a 26 year-old male, …

Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Following Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair, Brittany E. Wirth

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, previous studies have found the prevalence of rotator cuff tears may exceed 50% in individuals older than age 65. Since this age group is the fastest growing of the U.S. population, rotator cuff pathology is sure to become a more significant problem in the future. With this information, it is important to continue research on rotator cuff rehabilitation following arthroscopic surgery.

Case Description: This case report describes the physical therapy interventions and functional outcomes of a 58-year-old patient who underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a partial tear …

Shoulder Impingement, Jennifer Ramsay

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background. Women who undergo mastectomy are almost 6 times more likely to experience shoulder restriction and impairment than patients who undergo breast-conserving surgery. Many women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of their lives. The purpose of this case study is to review the rehabilitation plan for a patient with shoulder dysfunction and a history of surgical intervention for breast cancer.

Case Description. The patient was referred to physical therapy with complaints of pain in the right shoulder and anterior chest which increased with overhead movement. The patient's medical history included a skin …

Developmental Dysplasia Of The Hip: A Case Study, Joseph D. Taylor

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this case study was to describe the implementation of a conservative treatment protocol for dysplasia of the hip in a young girl in an attempt to prevent surgical intervention. A secondary objective of reducing femoral acetabular impingement was subsequently undertaken in the course of the case study.

BACKGROUND: The patient was a 16 year old female with a diagnosis of bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DOH), bilateral femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), anterior superior labral tear to left (L) hip, elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening and a history of depression.

PLAN OF CARE …

Critical Illness Polyneuropathy, Complications, Erica E. Hjelmstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Critical Illness Polyneuropathy/Myopathy results from the presence of sepsis, multi-organ or respiratory failure, septic inflammatory response syndrome, or difficulty weaning from the ventilator. Decreased amplitudes of compound muscle and sensory action potentials, and widespread denervation potentials in muscle are the primary cause for the resultant muscle weakness. The purpose of this paper is to report on the rehabilitation progress in a woman who developed CIP following surgical complications.

Case Description: A 63-year-old woman suffered from critical illness polyneuropathy following a complicated recovery following a sigmoidectomy secondary to diverticular disease. Multiple surgeries, inability to wean from …

Mckenzie Evaluation And Treatment For Lumbar Dysfunction And Anr, Michael Brooks

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: When it comes to low back pain, McKenzie theory is considered highly effective for evaluating and treating patients with low back symptoms. There are three main classifications within McKenzie theory; postural, dysfunction, and derangement syndromes. The main focus of this case will be on the dysfunction classification and its subcategory adherent nerve roots (ANR). Dysfunction syndrome is characterized by pain due to deformation of structures and tissues that limit ROM causing pain at end range. ANR's are caused by scar tissue build up encompassing nerve roots due to trauma or surgery that produces symptoms when nerve …

Total Knee Arthroplasty And Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Case Report, Brandon James Moeller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common joint replacements performed in orthopedic medicine. The decision to replace a knee is made through evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon, imaging of the joint, clinical presentation, and the patient's individual needs and desires. Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a soft tissue dysfunction that can present as pain and tenderness in the hip, thigh, or knee. It primarily stems from rubbing or friction of the IT Band at the lateral femoral condyle. Pain caused by knee degeneration and pain from ITBS can have similar presentations and deserves …

Post Total Knee Arthroplasty Protocol Adaptations: A Case Study, Ashley Sebelius

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the largest source of physical disability in the United States and the joint most commonly affected by OA is the knee. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is frequently implemented as a treatment for knee OA There is research that anxiety affects the patient's outcomes following total joint arthroplasty, but nothing to suggest how to specifically manage it. The purpose of this scholarly report is to discuss the physical therapy (PT) of a patient post TKA and how modifications to PT intervention were needed due to other medical and emotional issues.

Case Description: Patient …

Rehabilitation Following A Total Hip Arthroplasty For An Individual With Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Study, Anna Jung

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) is an autoimmune disorder present in children under the age of 17, most commonly seen in females. In JRA, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissues causing persistent joint swelling and stiffness. There are 3 principle types of JRA, systemic JRA, pauciarticular JRA and polyarticular JRA. Polyarticular JRA is classified as involving 5 or more large and small joints of the legs, arms, jaw and neck. The purpose of this case study was to illustrate the rehabilitation program used for a patient with JRA following a left total hip arthroplasty (THA) …

Physical Therapy For A Female With Acute Stroke: A Case Report, Lisa Grandpre

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death and adult disability in the US. Strokes affect each individual differently, some individuals more severely than others. The goal of physical therapists is to come up with the best treatment plan for each individual in order to restore as much function as possible.

Case Description: The patient was a Caucasian female in her 80s who suffered a stroke while in the hospital. She was living in assisted living prior to her hospital stay and was functional in the home only. The passive range of motion in her …

Physical Therapy And Above-Knee Amputation Pre-Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Case Report, Sierra J. Maucort

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Promotion of functional mobility through surgical and therapeutic interventions has seen a dramatic increase within the past decade due to the aging population and increased push for objective functional assessment data. A key to obtaining optimal functional performance is core stability and this can be applied to individuals with a variety of limitations including an amputation. The purposes of this case study are to look at the preprosthetic rehabilitation regimen of an individual with an above-knee amputation and discuss the importance of key elements that should be present in a pre-prosthetic training program to allow a …

The Trials Of Transverse Myelitis: A Case Study, Catherine Heggie

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an inflammation in the spinal cord that develops suddenly. In the span of a day, an individual can lose all motor control. Most of the time the motor impairment is not permanent and strength can return as the inflammation dies down. However the physical rehabilitation component of recovery is remarkably unstudied.

Case Description: This case report details the hospital stay of a young man with ATM from the perspective of his physical therapists. When evaluated, the patient had only trace (1/5) muscle strength in some of his extremities.

Intervention …

A Case Report: Cerebrovascular Accident, Kayla Andreasen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are one of the leading disabilities in America resulting in mild to severe functional limitations. These functional limitations can be addressed in physical therapy (PT).

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to review background, treatments, physical therapy interventions and outcomes of a patient with a sub-acute stroke, treated in an inpatient setting.

Case Description: The patient was a 70 year old male with a severe ischemic CVA following surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was transferred to a nursing home to recover and returned to the hospital 5 …

Chronic Low Back And Pelvic Girdle Pain 10 Months Post-Partum: A Case Study, Heidi Hansen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose

Due to the increase in relaxin hormone during pregnancy women often experience increases in joint and ligament laxity. The result of this increase in laxity during or after pregnancy can lead to problems with postural and/or gait abnormalities, diastasis recti (separation between left and right side of rectus abdominus muscle) and pain, specifically, low back and pelvic girdle pain. Activities of daily living are often impacted because of these problems. The purpose of this case study is to highlight some of the principal issues and therapeutic options for postpartum women as presented through the case of one …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Therapy Interventions On A Patient Who Underwent A Spinal Thoracic Abscess Removal: A Case Report, Natalie Gleason

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: An epidural abscess comes from an infection of the central nervous system. In this patient's case he had a spinal thoracic abscess removed that was pushing against his spinal cord. The purpose of this case report is to assess the patient's outcome after therapy implementation. The goal was to see how effective the interventions were for the patient.

Case Description: The patient was a 63-year-old male who underwent surgery to remove a thoracic epidural abscess that was causing paraplegia. He was coming to outpatient physical therapy 2 months before I started my clinical treating him. …