Case study: A 17-year-old female is referred to PT with a hi…
Case study: A 17-year-old female is referred to PT with a history of bilateral knee pain (R>L). She is very active within the school year participating in 3 sports throughout the year. She has noticed her pain is worse during track season (long-distance runner). Her pain is localized under the knee cap. She denies a history of swelling and mechanism of injury, but states that her pain is gradually worsening over the last couple months. What should the examining physical therapist make sure to assess in the objective examination given the current literature with this diagnosis?
Read DetailsA 75-year-old male is referred to physical therapy (PT) from…
A 75-year-old male is referred to physical therapy (PT) from his primary care physician. His chief complaint includes bilateral neck pain and occasional numbness and tingling into both arms. With further examination, it is determined the patient has noticed a change in his gait with a loss of balance, clumsiness with his hands and fingers including more difficulty feeding himself and buttoning his shirts in the last 2 months, and hyperreflexia in the upper and lower extremities. Which diagnosis should the PT be most concerned about?
Read DetailsA physical therapist (PT) is assessing the following motions…
A physical therapist (PT) is assessing the following motions below and notes fatigable weakness on the right side compared to the left side. The PT is suspicious of a cervical component. Which myotome level could be compromised?
Read DetailsA 16-year-old gymnast is referred to physical therapy for lo…
A 16-year-old gymnast is referred to physical therapy for low back pain, which has been present for the past 5 months and is progressively worsening. She has not yet had an MRI but chose to pursue physical therapy first. On examination, she demonstrates significant hypermobility throughout the lumbar spine. The pain is localized to the L5-S1 region, where she points to the center of her lower back. Aggravating factors include lumbar extension, gymnastics practice, and competition. Easing factors include heat, ice, and ibuprofen. During the physical examination, the physical therapist notes a step-off (divot) sign during the PAIVM assessment of the lumbar spine at L5. What diagnosis should the physical therapist be most concerned with regarding this patient?
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