Author

Jacob Todd

Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Thomas Mohl

Keywords

Total knee arthroplasties (TKA), electrical stimulation, ultrasound/phonophoresis, low-level laser therapy,

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Total knee arthroplasties (TKA) remain the gold standard of surgical interventions to the knee and are often used to treat the knee joint for arthritic changes along with therapeutic exercise.

Case Description. This case report describes the physical therapy rehabilitation of a 48-year-old female post left T KA due to increased instability, afthritic changes, and pain caused by her EDS combined with her high BMI. The patient previously had her right knee replaced with a TKA and was acquainted with the rehabilitation process and familiar with all of the therapeutic exercises and proper progression of her activity.

Intervention. The treatment of this patient included physical therapy intervention consisting of therapeutic exercises, gait training, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound/phonophoresis, low-level laser therapy, and KinesioTaping.

Outcomes. The patient had multiple episodes of exacerbated symptoms lasting for weeks and likely caused damage to the surrounding tissue around her left knee from acute injuries that slowed her recovery. The patient required multiple weeks of therapeutic modalities to control her symptoms. She also had physician's orders not to complete any strengthening exercises whatsoever in order to allow for healing. After the patient was cleared for light strengthening exercises, she progressed rapidly and was soon confident enough to discontinue therapy and progress her strengthening on her own.

Discussion. Rationale for treatment was based on total knee arthroplasty protocols with special considerations made due to the patient's diagnosis of EDS as well as her physician's guidelines for treatment and the patient's symptoms.

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