Home health physical therapy intervention for an adolescent after intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor limb-lengthening surgery: a case report.

UNLABELLED: This case report describes the physical therapy episode of care for an adolescent following surgical placement of an intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor (ISKD) to minimize a leg-length discrepancy (LLD).

METHODS

A 14-year-old female was referred to home health physical therapy 2 weeks after ISKD placement in her right femur. The initial evaluation revealed the need to instruct in ISKD limb-lengthening exercises, strength, flexibility, and endurance exercises and provide functional mobility training.

RESULTS

The patient received nine treatments over 8 weeks. Her right femur length increased by 4 cm. Improvements occurred with functional mobility, the Bruinincks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.

DISCUSSION: Home health physical therapy assisted this patient with reducing her LLD and improving her functional mobility. Further research is needed to identify the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions on functional mobility for adolescents after ISKD placements.