The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report
# Background/Purpose Although research on the value of therapeutic alliance is prominent in other areas of health care, physical therapy research is limited. The purpose is to describe the incorporation of therapeutic alliance concepts throughout the rehabilitation of an elite pediatric athlete wit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2021-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.19448 |
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| _version_ | 1825139384090886144 |
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| author | Lucas VanEtten Matthew Briggs John DeWitt Cody Mansfield Christopher Kaeding |
| author_facet | Lucas VanEtten Matthew Briggs John DeWitt Cody Mansfield Christopher Kaeding |
| author_sort | Lucas VanEtten |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background/Purpose
Although research on the value of therapeutic alliance is prominent in other areas of health care, physical therapy research is limited. The purpose is to describe the incorporation of therapeutic alliance concepts throughout the rehabilitation of an elite pediatric athlete with a complicated recovery following a fracture to the distal femoral epiphysis.
# Case Description
A 14-year-old male was referred to physical therapy following an open reduction and internal fixation to address a type IV Salter-Harris fracture of the right distal femoral epiphysis. Post-operative care included immobilization in a brace for six weeks and he initiated physical therapy for four weeks (post-op weeks 6-10). At 10-weeks post-injury his range of motion and strength were severely limited compared to expected post-operative milestones. Due to these deficits an arthroscopic debridement of the subject’s right knee, hardware removal, and manipulation under anesthesia was performed. The subject then reported to the physical therapist on post-operative day three for evaluation and treatment without bracing or weight-bearing restrictions.
# Outcomes
The episode of care spanned 17 weeks and included 25 physical therapy sessions. To facilitate therapeutic alliance with the subject, clear communication and easily measurable goals were established and connected to the subject’s relevant needs as an athlete. The plan of care was divided into three phases using “chunking” techniques to establish the rehabilitation priorities. The subject demonstrated improved range of motion, strength and was able to return to hydroplane racing and won a national championship in his age group.
# Discussion
The unique aspect of this case was the incorporation of therapeutic alliance concepts and techniques into the rehabilitative management of a subject with a complicated fracture to the distal femoral epiphysis. The physical therapist built trust with the subject and facilitated a successful return to elite hydroplane boat racing.
# Level of Evidence
4
# Study Design
Case Report |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78deec5570d74e7eb1fdb6052d5cb380 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-78deec5570d74e7eb1fdb6052d5cb3802025-02-11T20:29:55ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962021-04-01162The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case ReportLucas VanEttenMatthew BriggsJohn DeWittCody MansfieldChristopher Kaeding# Background/Purpose Although research on the value of therapeutic alliance is prominent in other areas of health care, physical therapy research is limited. The purpose is to describe the incorporation of therapeutic alliance concepts throughout the rehabilitation of an elite pediatric athlete with a complicated recovery following a fracture to the distal femoral epiphysis. # Case Description A 14-year-old male was referred to physical therapy following an open reduction and internal fixation to address a type IV Salter-Harris fracture of the right distal femoral epiphysis. Post-operative care included immobilization in a brace for six weeks and he initiated physical therapy for four weeks (post-op weeks 6-10). At 10-weeks post-injury his range of motion and strength were severely limited compared to expected post-operative milestones. Due to these deficits an arthroscopic debridement of the subject’s right knee, hardware removal, and manipulation under anesthesia was performed. The subject then reported to the physical therapist on post-operative day three for evaluation and treatment without bracing or weight-bearing restrictions. # Outcomes The episode of care spanned 17 weeks and included 25 physical therapy sessions. To facilitate therapeutic alliance with the subject, clear communication and easily measurable goals were established and connected to the subject’s relevant needs as an athlete. The plan of care was divided into three phases using “chunking” techniques to establish the rehabilitation priorities. The subject demonstrated improved range of motion, strength and was able to return to hydroplane racing and won a national championship in his age group. # Discussion The unique aspect of this case was the incorporation of therapeutic alliance concepts and techniques into the rehabilitative management of a subject with a complicated fracture to the distal femoral epiphysis. The physical therapist built trust with the subject and facilitated a successful return to elite hydroplane boat racing. # Level of Evidence 4 # Study Design Case Reporthttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.19448 |
| spellingShingle | Lucas VanEtten Matthew Briggs John DeWitt Cody Mansfield Christopher Kaeding The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report |
| title_full | The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report |
| title_fullStr | The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report |
| title_short | The Implementation of Therapeutic Alliance in the Rehabilitation of an Elite Pediatric Athlete with Salter-Harris Fracture: A Case Report |
| title_sort | implementation of therapeutic alliance in the rehabilitation of an elite pediatric athlete with salter harris fracture a case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.19448 |
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