CLINICAL SCENARIOS
1. A 32-year old female is playing soccer in a recreational league. A therapıst
that assists the team observes her kick the ball and then fall to the ground.
The therapist examines the patient in the training room and finds that the
patient has some plantar flexion in a non-weight bearing position, but is
unable to plantar flex the foot while weight bearing. The patient states that
something popped while running and palpation indicates a separation in the
Achilles tendon.
2. A 56-year old male is diagnosed with ALS and presents with mild atrophy of
the hand The patient owns his own business as a painter and wants to
continue working for as long as he can The patient is referred to physiotherapy
for a home exercise program.
3. A 69-year old male has been hospitalized for five days for Congestive heart
failure. He was diagnosed last year with the condition and has been doing well
on medication. He started having shortness of breath and noted a six pound
weight gain. His medications have been adjusted and he is motivated to get
home to his wife. The physician requests a physiotherapy consult for baselıne
data and a home exercise program.
4. A 65-year old male is referred to physiotherapy after recently being
diagnosed with emphysema. The patent Works in an oil refinery part-time and
manages a small dairy farm. The patient's past medal history is negative tor
smoking and consists of recurrent respiratory infections and chronic cough
The patient complains of shortness of breath with exertion, however,
pulmonary function testing indicates only minimal impairment in lung volumes.
5. A 23-year-old male sustained a conus medullaris injury in a MVA. He was
admitted to the acute care hospital and has been having complications
regulating his blood glucose level. The patient was diagnosed with type 1
diabetes mellitus when he was seven years old. The patient resides in a two-
story building.
6. A 50-year-old male that works in Construction is seen in physiotherapy,
after two months on medical leave for back pain. The patient just underwent
surgical fusion of L4-5 due to degenerative spondylolisthesıs. He needs to work
to provide for his family and warts to get back to his activity as soon as
possible. He still complains of back pain and has some residual neurological
deficits. He resides in a duplex with his wife and four children.
7. A 75-year-old male is seen in physical therapy status post reduction of a
dislocated right hip prosthesis. The patient had a THA three weeks ago and
dislocated the hip two days ago while bending over to tie his shoes. The patient
is currently using a walker tor mobility and is toe touch weight bearing. The
patient resides alone in a rented apartment and does not have any family in the
area
8. A 42-year-old female sustained a severe TBI in a motor vehicle accident and
is presently classified as Rancho Los Amigos Level l. The accident was two
weeks ago. Prior to admission, the patient was healthy and worked full-time.
She has a supportive husband
9. A 28-year-old female has recently had visual difficulty, urinary urgency,
tingling, and upper extremity weakness on two separate occasions. The patient
has been diagnosed with MS, however, has no other significant medical history.
The patient was referred to physiotherapy by her primary physician
10. A 29 year old was diagnosed with primary adhesive capsulitis and referred
to outpatient physiotherapy. The patient is self-employed as an artist and
enjoys outdoor activities. Past medical history incudes diabetes mellitus since
age six and a femur fracture 11 months ago. The patient noticed educed range
of motion and an increase in pain over the last few weeks.
