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  The Use Of Manual Lumbar Traction And Therapeutic Exercise In The Treatment Of A Patient With Low Back Pain: A Case Report

  Kyle Rasmussen

  
  

  The prevalence of low back pain (LBP) has been increasing in the United States. Manual lumbar traction and therapeutic exercise are two common treatments by physical therapists (PT) for LBP, but there is limited research investigating the combined effects of these treatments on low back pain. The purpose of this case report was to investigate the combined effects of these treatments on LBP.

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  Vestibular Rehabilitation For A Geriatric Patient With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treatment Failure: A Case Report

  Clare Roeder

  
  

  Good balance requires integration of sensory information from three systems: vestibular, visual and somatosensory. The vestibular portion of the inner ear contains two types of sensory structures that respond to gravity and head movements: semicircular canals and otolith organs. Crystals of calcium carbonate (otoconia) reside in the otolith organs, but can become dislodged and migrate to the semicircular canals, causing symptoms of vertigo. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), caused... Read More

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  Strength And Balance Training For A 29-Year-Old Female Who Sustained A Multifocal Stroke: A Case Report

  Britney Simonton and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  Stroke is defined as a decrease in blood supply to the brain, and most often occurs in older adults. In the United States, approximately 795,000 people sustain a stroke annually. Risk factors for a stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Although research has shown that a balance and strength training program is beneficial for... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With A Lacunar Stroke And Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report

  Kevin Tachibana

  
  

  Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death and the number one cause of long-term disability in the United States. A lacunar infarct is a type of ischemic stroke that occurs within the deepest structures of the brain when one of the small arteries gets blocked. Risk factors for a lacunar stroke include older age, high blood pressure, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and obstructive sleep apnea. The... Read More

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  Physical Therapy On The Function Of A Patient With Stage III Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report

  Kelly Trancygier and Michaael Fillyaw

  
  

  Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 1.5% of the US population over 65 years of age. PD is typically diagnosed in individuals over the age of 60. There is no cure and the disease itself is not fatal, however, its effects can be very debilitating. PD occurs when the neurons in the basal ganglia of the brain stop producing enough dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate body movements... Read More

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  Functional Strengthening In A Patient With Chronic Stroke And Low Back Pain: A Case Report

  Sofia Tzortzinis

  
  

  In the U.S., the prevalence of stroke is approximately 795,000 annually and is the fifth most common cause of death. Stroke impairments include hemiplegia, sensory loss, dyspraxia, and hemianopsia. The chronic phase of stroke is defined as six months and beyond post-stroke. Nearly 85% of adults will experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their life. Risk factors for LBP include age, educational status, psychosocial factors, physically... Read More

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  The Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Chronic Shoulder Dislocations And Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Report

  Lindsey Umapathy

  
  

  Chronic shoulder dislocation is a severe disabling condition that can significantly decrease an individual’s quality of life, most often resulting after neglected acute dislocations, after surgery, or with the presence of unidirectional or multi-directional shoulder instability. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms; it is caused by damage to the myelin sheath of the... Read More

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  A Comprehensive PT Program Utilizing An AlterG Treadmill For A Patient With Lower Extremity Fractures And Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Case Report

  Mark Whitsitt and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  People with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease have a greater risk of falls and subsequent fractures due to lower extremity stiffness, muscle wasting, and balance impairments. Positive pressure treadmill systems, such as the AlterG®, are commonly utilized for orthopedic patients, as they allow for early mobility with decreased symptoms. Minimal research exists that has investigated use of the AlterG® in patients with lower extremity fractures and CMT. The purpose of this... Read More

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  Improving Function And Fatigue For A Patient Status Post Thoracoabdominal Resection Of A Gastric Tumor And Chemotherapy: A Case Report

  Michala Williams

  
  

  A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), a type of stomach cancer, occurs when abnormal cells develop in the tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach cancer is a relatively rare carcinoma that is often not detected until later stages. The purpose of this case report was to document the physical therapy approach for a deconditioned patient due to resection of a malignant stomach tumor and both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy.

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  Application Of Manual Therapy Utilizing Maitland Principles In The Rehabilitation Of A Patient Following Rotator Cuff Repair

  Kehinde Aderibigbe and Brian T. Swanson

  
  

  In the United States, more than 500,000 rotator cuff repairs and shoulder arthroscopies are performed annually. Following surgery, physical therapy (PT) often utilizes various manual therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) interventions. Post-operatively, accessory joint mobilizations (AJM) help to prevent adhesions and may decrease excitability of central nociceptive pathways. However, there is no consensus about the most appropriate postoperative utilization and timing of MT following surgery. Maitland describes a... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Treatment Of A Patient With Chronic Low Back Pain And A Previous History Of A Substance Abuse Disorder: A Case Report

  Marcus X. Alomar and Brian T. Swanson

  
  

  The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that an estimated 27 million people in the United States have reported use of an illicit drug within the past month. Low back pain continues to be a major cause of disability in the United States, with an estimated 70 percent of adults experiencing low back pain at some point during their lifetime. Active exercise programs that include pain... Read More

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  Combining Physical Therapy And Podiatry For A Patient With Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Report

  Kathleen Barnes and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  One million cases of plantar fasciitis (PF) are reported annually in the United States. Studies have separately investigated the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) interventions as well as steroid injections from podiatry – but not in conjunction with each other. There is a lack of research investigating an interdisciplinary approach utilizing PT and podiatry for PF. This case report investigated an interdisciplinary approach combining physical therapy and podiatry utilizing... Read More

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  Early Utilization Of The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) In An Active Patient After Cardiac Surgery - A Case Report

  Christian Boucher and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  Coronary artery disease affects more than 13 million Americans. A sub-population of these patients, despite exercising regularly, can develop cardiac disease. The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a functional outcome measure that is easy to implement and has been used across multiple populations. There is limited literature that has investigated the use of the 6MWT on post-operative day one (POD1) after cardiac surgery. Patients participating in self motivated exercise... Read More

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  The Use Of Therapeutic Exercises And Manual Stretching For A Patient Following A Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) Revision: A Case Report

  Nicholas Cebula

  
  

  Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an orthopedic surgery involving the total replacement of compartments of the knee joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common reason for TKA. Risk factors for OA include: obesity, sports-related injuries, and genetics. The artificial knee joint typically lasts between 15-20 years; early failures may occur due to loosening of artificial components, infection, fractures, and instability. Approximately 581,000 TKA procedures are performed annually, and by... Read More

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  The Use of Manual Therapy In The Treatment Of A Patient With Chronic Low Back Pain And Sciatica: A Case Report

  Elia N. Darazi

  
  

  Low back pain (LBP) is the second most common cause of disability in adults with total costs estimated to be between $100 and $200 billion annually on the US economy. The prevalence of chronic LBP rose significantly over a 14-year interval (1992 to 2006), from 3.9% to 10.2%. Treatment of LBP may be conservative or surgical, with conservative being the mainstream initial treatment before a consideration of a surgical... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Intervention For A Patient With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Caused By Two Traumatic Events: A Case Study

  Elyse Detweiler

  
  

  Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a collection of pathoanatomical dysfunctions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and are associated with a variety of symptoms throughout the head and neck. There is a severe lack of supportive evidence for physical therapy management used in the conservative and/or post-surgical treatment of TMD. The dental profession provides much of the current literature on TMD but is limited in conservative and surgical interventions. Research has... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Chronic Knee Pain: A Case Report

  Mohamed Elsaid

  
  

  Knee pain affects approximately 25% of adults, and as a result limits functional mobility and may induce participation restrictions. Risk factors may contribute to knee pain, with osteoarthritis (OA) being the most prevalent cause in individuals 50 years and older. The rate of knee replacement surgery among individuals 65 and older has increased by approximately eight fold from 1979-2002. Physical Therapy (PT) is a nonsurgical option that offers individuals... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient After Hemorrhagic Stroke Using A Task-Oriented Approach In A Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Report

  Kaela Fischer

  
  

  Stroke is the leading cause of long term disability in the U.S.; nearly 800,000 Americans have a stroke each year. Subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels in the brain bursts causing a release of blood which increases intracranial pressure. There is a lack of rehabilitation research in the skilled nursing setting for hemorrhagic stroke. The purpose of this case report is to describe the PT... Read More

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  Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Chronic Brainstem Stroke Syndrome To Improve Functional Mobility: A Case Report

  Kelley Flahaven

  
  

  Strokes are a leading cause of disability, and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. Brainstem strokes are much less common and have a higher mortality rate than cortical strokes. Brainstem strokes can lead to physical impairments including gaze palsies, quadriplegia, ataxia, or cranial nerve deficits, which affect balance and safety, decreasing independence. Repetitive task gait training has been shown to create improvements in patients with stroke.... Read More

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  Therapeutic Exercise In The Treatment Of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome S/P Lumbar Discectomy: A Case Report

  Sean Jeffrey

  
  

  Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a common cause of lateral hip pain, affecting between 1.8 and 5.6 patients per 1000 annually. Inadequate core stability and gluteal weakness contribute to the probability of developing GTPS. GTPS is more common in patients with coexisting low back pain (LBP). Discectomy is effective in treating LBP pain caused by prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs, however, it does not correct back muscle function. Lumbar... Read More

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  Restoring Gait And Functional Mobility For A Patient With An Ischemic Stroke Through Physical Therapy: A Case Report

  Colleen Kelly

  
  

  During an ischemic stroke, blood flow is impeded due to blocked artery. Stroke is the 5^th leading cause of death and the primary cause of disability and dependency in adults in the United States. Patient age and stroke severity, size, and location are strong predictors in prognosis. Stroke rehabilitation during the first three months can reduce mortality. The purpose of this case report is to provide physical therapy management... Read More

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  Functional Training In A Patient With Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke With Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report

  Darien Lewis

  
  

  795,000 people experience a stroke yearly, making it the leading cause of long-term disability, costing $34 billion. Strokes affecting the middle cerebral artery (MCA) cause impairments of strength, sensation, coordination, and balance of the contralateral side. Recovery from stroke is affected by premorbid status. Cardiovascular disease causes a majority of strokes. The purpose of this case report is to describe a progressive PT plan of care for a patient... Read More

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  Manual and Exercise Therapy For The Treatment Of Chronic Costochondritis In A Male Office Worker: A Case Report

  John Livecchi

  
  

  For some patients, the use of techniques that typically comprise a physical therapy (PT) treatment plan for costochondritis, such as high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation, can be intolerable due to pain or even contraindicated because of other comorbidities. This case report describes the successful treatment of a patient with chronic costochondritis utilizing gentler, more conservative manual therapy techniques than those that are typically used in PT management of the condition.

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  Physical Therapy And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In A Patient With Multiple Co-Morbidities – A Case Report

  Jeanine Manubay and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  Traditional physical therapy (PT) interventions can be challenging to implement in the complex patient with multiple comorbidities. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a behavioral therapy technique used to change obstructive behaviors and improve functional and emotional health. CBT has shown positive outcomes in patients with cancer and elderly patients with depression, but has not been studied in conjunction with PT in medically complex patients. The purpose of this case... Read More

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  Comprehensive Physical Therapy Treatment Following A Surgical Repair Of A Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon In A Skateboarder: A Case Report

  Joseph Marcil and Kirsten Buchanan

  
  

  Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) injuries occur when stress is placed on the great toe. FHL tendinopathies are common in ballet dancers, however, not often seen in skateboarders. The most effective physical therapy (PT) rehabilitation protocol for an FHL tendinopathy and subsequent repair in a skateboarding athlete has not been well documented. The purpose of this case report is to investigate a comprehensive PT protocol, including video feedback after an... Read More