Patient Information: Female, Age 92

Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis / Dementia / Anxiety

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy for right hip pain due to osteoarthritis which resulted in a functional decline with transfers in and out of bed and her ability to walk. Previously, this woman required minimal (<25%) assistance with bed mobility and transfers and she walked throughout the facility using a rolling walker and guiding contact of a caregiver for steadying assistance.

Pre-Therapy Status:
•Right Hip Pain: Severe (9/10).
•Bed Mobility: Moderate (50%) assistance.
•Sit to Stand Transfers: Maximal (>75%) assistance.
•Ambulation: 150 feet with a rolling walker and guiding contact of a therapist for steadying assistance.

Therapy Information:
•Modality: Megapulse® II Shortwave Diathermy.
•Frequency: 4x per week.
•Protocol Specifics: Subthermal short wave diathermy to the right hip to decrease pain.
•Duration: Five weeks.
•Other Therapy Services Provided: Bed mobility, transfer training, gait training, and therapeutic lower extremity exercises.

Outcome:
•Right Hip Pain: Absent (0/10).
•Bed Mobility: Guiding contact of the therapist for steadying assistance.
• Sit to Stand Transfers: Independent with occasional steadying contact.
• Ambulation: 320 feet with a rolling walker and guiding contact of a therapist for steadying assistance.

This woman and her family are thrilled about her accomplishments in therapy! She is happy to be walking without hip pain and contributes this to the diathermy treatments. She is now able to attend bingo, resident socials and other facility activities.