Date of Award

2014

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mark Romanick

Keywords

Hip Fractures -- rehabilitation; Hip Fractures -- therapy; Case Reports

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Hip fracture is a major medical problem among older adults, leading to impaired balance and gait and loss of functional independence. An open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is a method of surgically repairing a fractured bone. Generally, this involves either the use of plates and screws or an intramedullary (IM) rod to stabilize the bone.

Case Description: The patient was a 51-year-old female who fractured her right hip while running. She had complained of thigh pain with running for 1 to 2 months prior. She had gamma nail pinning.

Intervention: The focus of treatment was to increase mobility, range of motion (ROM), and strength. Also, increase ambulatory and functional independence with and without assistive device in order to return to prior level of function.

Outcomes: The patient reached all of her short and long term goals. By discharge, she ambulated without compensation or a limp and her right hip ROM measures were all within functional limits.

Discussion: At times it was difficult to know if the patient was following her weight bearing (WB) precautions because she came into the clinic sore almost every session for the first two week. Following a course of progressive strength training the patient not only improved her gait but also all activities of daily living (ADL's).

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