Physical therapists - help with case review

In My Humble Opinion
1

I am applying for a reviewer position and they sent me this case study to work on. I have a good idea what I would recommend but I wanted to throw it out there to all you wonderful PTs. Any opinions, input, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Here’s the part of the case study you need to know (I would really like the scoop on the measurements for extension and flexion):

Subjective Complaints:

            • Constant knee ache 2/10, increasing to 4/10 with walking more than 15 minutes

            • Unable to negotiate stairs due to pain, weakness, and fear of falling

            • No new injury; chronic knee pain



            Objective Exam Findings: 

            • Flexion 105/110 and extension -10/0

            • Manual muscle testing: flexion rated 4/5; extension 3/5 through available range of motion

            • Moderate/severe weakness with step up test

            • Unable to perform step down test without assistance 



            Diagnostic Imaging: 

            • Left Knee MRI: severe degenerative changes, bone on bone contact, severe bone spurring

(I am an RN with workers’ comp case management experience but never had to develop a plan for someone like this). Thanks for your help!

2

Since the OP is seeking opinions, this is better suited for IMHO than GQ.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

3

OK, it’s better suited to IMHO. Am I supposed to move it there or what??? I didn’t see it in there when I just looked.

4

Sorry, I thought I had moved it.

I probably need mental therapy for CRAFT Syndrome*.:wink:

*Can’t remember a frikkin thing.

5

Are you sure this is the best way to apply for a position? It seems to me that they are looking to hire you for your experience and judgement. What do you think would happen if they somehow found out that you submitted the test case they gave to you to a group of anonymous people on a message board for advice? Just sayin’.

6

This is taking ‘do my homework for me’ to a whole new level…

7

Nope. Just looking for some opinions from people who do this type of work all day long. “Doing my homework for me” would be more like “Here’s some numbers, write me a report so I can submit it”. People ask for opinions all the time on SDMB.

Gonna need some extra income now that husband’s bill for 9 hour cancer surgery has come in. Not to mention our co-pay for the 5x/week very VERY expensive chemotherapy which is due to last 12 months. Of course he won’t be bringing in the $80 k salary during this time.

This used to be a really nice, really supportive place.

8

So hypothetically if the person who narrowly beat you to this job because of their case study response happened to mention to you that they’d posted the case study online to get other people’s opinions and input, you’d be totally okay with that?

9

Yes, but the people looking to hire you are checking out your expertise, not ours. Again I ask-What do you think would happen if they somehow found out that you submitted the test case they gave to you to a group of anonymous people on a message board for advice?

10

Edited to add: How do you really know what any of us does in real life?

11

Boy, I sure hope that’s not actual patient information you’re posting on a public message board.

As for the rest, ya got me. I’m only a brain surgeon ;).

12

It’s obvious that the patient is rife with Thetans. I would recommend an emergency audit followed by a series of courses until the patient is clear.

Then, if needed, I would recommend a preventative daily dosage of homeopathic medicine. Possibly Ruta graveolens, with a dosage of 30C. I know that’s extreme, but better safe than sorry!

Good luck with your test.

13

They gave her a take home test. By definition, she’s allowed to use any resources at her disposal to answer that test. If they wanted otherwise, they wouldn’t have given her a take home test, but just asked her in an interview. Unless they are idiots or assholes.