The Pulse

Patient Information: Female, Age 86

Diagnosis: Right Shoulder Fracture / Shoulder Pain

History: This woman fell at her home in an assisted living facility, resulting in a fracture of her
right shoulder. She was evaluated and treated in the emergency room and returned home with an immobilizer to limit the movement of her shoulder. After six weeks of right shoulder immobilization, she was referred to outpatient therapy. Prior to her fall she lived in an assisted living facility and was independent with dressing, eating, and bathing.

Patient Information: Male, Age 72

Diagnosis: Spinal Stenosis / Muscle Weakness / Low Back Pain

History: This gentleman went to the emergency room (ER) due to increased pain from spinal stenosis. He received pain medication and was sent home. He fell and returned to the ER and was referred to a skilled nursing facility due to his inability to bear weight on his right leg, walk, or return home. Previously he lived independently in a single story home with three steps at the entry.

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.

Patient Information: Male, Age 62

Diagnosis: Muscle Weakness / Falls / Dementia

History: This gentleman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, experienced several falls from his wheelchair and was referred to therapy by nursing to maximize his overall functional mobility in an effort to reduce his fall risk.

Patient Information: Male, Age 50

Diagnosis: Below Knee Amputation

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for physical and occupational therapy services after hospitalization due to a non-healing diabetic ulcer on the right foot resulting in a below the knee amputation. Prior to the amputation, he lived at home and was independent with walking and driving.

Patient Information: Female, Age 85

Diagnosis: Falls / Back Pain

History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy by the
nursing staff due to a recent fall in her room, decreased safety awareness, unsafe transfers,
and increased pain in her back and legs. Prior to the fall this woman required supervision to safely get in and out of bed and maximal assistance to walk.

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.

Patient Information: Male, Age 67

Diagnosis: Stroke

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a second stroke which resulted in lower extremity weakness and decreased balance. Prior to this stroke, he lived at home with his wife and walked with a hemi-walker.

Patient Information: Female, Age 95

Diagnosis: Left Femur Fracture

History: This woman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services after hospitalization due to a fall at home, resulting in a femur (leg) fracture. Prior to her fall she
lived at home with family support and walked with a rolling walker and assistance.

The ability of an individual to maintain balance while performing everyday activities is necessary to prevent falls. Therapists treating patients with balance impairments may use a variety of techniques to address identified deficits in strength, range of motion, and/or coordination.