NPTE Clinical Files | Physical Therapy

Sonia presents to physical therapy post-MVA a T10 spinal cord injury. She has been using a wheelchair for her primary mode of transportation and now has bilateral hip pain. The physical therapist is challenged with prescribing the correct wheelchair changes in order to reduce hip pain.  Do you know standard wheelchair measurements? We will uncover all of it in this excellent episode about standard...

Pam has a history of a middle cerebral artery stroke and is currently having difficulty combing her hair. Despite multiple teaching strategies, the patient she continues to show no improvement.  The physical therapist is challenged with uncovering the specific phenomenon that is present.  Do you know the differences between signs of aphasia and apraxia? We will uncover all of it in this excellent...

Janice presents to physical therapy with a past medical history consistent with diabetes mellitus type 2. The patient also has a resting blood glucose level of 275 mg/dl prior to today's treatment.  The physical therapist is challenged with understanding the correct exercise protocol and glucose monitoring procedures with a patient who presents with hyperglycemia.  We will uncover the answer in th...

Isabelle presents to physical therapy with a history of cerebral palsy and a developmental age of 8 months.  The physical therapist is challenged with determining which activity the child will not be able to perform given her developmental age.  Do you know your developmental milestone? When should a child be able to sit independently and rotate their trunk? We will uncover the answer in this exce...

Jason has a recent onset of a lateral ankle sprain. He is being treated in the outpatient physical therapy clinic with therapeutic ultrasound. The physical therapist is challenged with determining the cause of the patient's pain underneath the sound head.  Do you know what ultrasound parameters can lead to pain underneath the ultrasound head? We will uncover the answer in this excellent episode ab...

Shirley is a 48-year-old female who has a past medical history of hypothyroidism. She has non-pitting edema, dry skin, and poor peripheral circulation.   The physical therapist is challenged with recalling the signs and symptoms consistent with hypothyroidism while using critical thinking to eliminate attractive answer choices.  Which examination finding should we expect to find with our patient?...