The Pulse

Decreasing Pain and Improving Function with Subthermal Diathermy and Exercise

Posted by ACP on Dec 7, 2018 10:59:49 PM

Patient Information: Female, Age 82

Diagnosis: Right Hip Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) / Right Hip Pain / Falls

History: This woman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a fall which resulted in a hip fracture requiring surgery. Prior to her fall she lived independently at home.

Pre-Therapy Status:
•Right Hip Pain: Severe (8/10), impacting her ability to move and walk.
•Transfers: Maximal (>75%) assistance for supine to sit and sit to stand.
•Ambulation: 25 feet with a rolling walker and minimal (25%) assistance. Unable to climb stairs.

Therapy Information:
•Modality: OmniSWD® Shortwave Diathermy System.
•Frequency: 4-5x per week.
•Protocol Specifics: Subthermal diathermy to the right hip to increase local circulation and decrease pain.
•Duration: Three weeks.
•Other Therapy Services Provided: Gait training, transfer training, balance re-education, and therapeutic exercise.

Outcome:
• Right Hip Pain: Mild (1/10).
• Transfers: Independent.
• Ambulation: 300 feet with a rollator walker and verbal cues for safety. Ascends and descends 4 steps with supervision for safety.

This woman is thrilled with her outcomes in therapy! She is happy to be able to move more independently with little to no hip pain. The therapists working with her report that the treatments to her hip for pain helped her advance her mobility and achieve her functional goals. She has been discharged to an assisted living facility.

Topics: Fall Prevention & Balance, Pain Management, Patient Success Story