HOPC:
* Patient reports acute onset of right knee pain after an awkward twist during a netball game on 25 October 2024.
* Initial pain was sharp, 7/10, with immediate swelling and difficulty weight-bearing.
* Managed with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and over-the-counter paracetamol since onset, providing minimal relief.
* Pain has progressed to a constant dull ache, exacerbated by movement, 4/10 at rest.
* Aggravating factors: Walking, going up/down stairs, pivoting movements, prolonged standing.
* Easing factors: Rest, ice, elevation.
* 24-hour behaviour: Stiff and painful in the mornings, gradually improving with gentle movement, worsening again in the late afternoon/evening after activity. Night pain is minimal unless patient moves awkwardly in sleep.
Radiology:
* X-ray Right Knee (26 October 2024): No fractures or bony abnormalities identified.
* MRI Right Knee (30 October 2024): Indication of meniscal tear (medial meniscus posterior horn) and Grade 1 MCL sprain.
Past Medical History:
* Asthma: Managed with Salbutamol inhaler as needed (1-2 puffs, as required). No recent exacerbations.
* No known allergies.
Social History:
* Lives with partner in a two-story house. Good support network from partner and family.
* Social drinker (1-2 units/week). Non-smoker. No illicit drug use.
* No significant family history of musculoskeletal conditions. Mother has Type 2 Diabetes.
* Employed full-time as a primary school teacher. Works 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday. Role involves prolonged standing, some lifting of children, and frequent movement around the classroom. Currently on sick leave due to injury.
Goals:
* Short-term physiotherapy goals:
* Reduce right knee pain to 2/10 at rest within 2 weeks.
* Restore full knee extension and flexion active range of motion (AROM) within 3 weeks.
* Be able to walk for 15 minutes without significant pain within 4 weeks.
* Long-term physiotherapy goals:
* Return to playing netball at pre-injury level within 6 months.
* Be able to comfortably climb a full flight of stairs without pain within 3 months.
* Resume all work duties without limitation within 2 months.
Objective:
* Observation:
* Mild swelling noted around the medial aspect of the right knee.
* Antalgic gait present, patient guarding right knee.
* Palpation:
* Tenderness over medial joint line and medial collateral ligament.
* Active Range of Motion (AROM) Right Knee:
* Flexion: 0-110 degrees (limited by pain and stiffness).
* Extension: -5 degrees (extension lag).
* Strength (Manual Muscle Test) Right Lower Limb:
* Quadriceps: 4/5 (right) vs 5/5 (left)
* Hamstrings: 4/5 (right) vs 5/5 (left)
* Calf: 5/5 bilateral
* Special Orthopaedic Tests:
* Lachman's Test: Negative
* Anterior Drawer Test: Negative
* Valgus Stress Test (0 and 30 degrees): Mild laxity with pain at 30 degrees, consistent with MCL sprain.
* McMurray's Test: Positive for pain and click with internal rotation during flexion/extension, suggestive of medial meniscal involvement.
Treatment:
* Education:
* Nature of meniscal tear and MCL sprain, expected healing times, importance of graded activity.
* Pain management strategies, including RICE and gentle movement.
* Importance of adhering to home exercise programme for optimal recovery.
* Manual and Hands-on Treatment:
* Soft tissue release: Quadriceps and hamstrings, right thigh (5 minutes each, moderate pressure).
* Mobilisation: Patellofemoral joint glides (3 sets of 30 seconds, Grade II).
* Active Therapeutic Exercises:
* Quadriceps isometric contractions: Right leg, 3 sets of 10 repetitions, hold 5 seconds.
* Glute bridge: 3 sets of 12 repetitions.
* Heel slides: Right leg, 3 sets of 15 repetitions.
* Home Exercises Prescribed:
* Quadriceps isometric contractions: 3 sets of 10 repetitions, hold 5 seconds, 3 times/day.
* Heel slides: 3 sets of 15 repetitions, 3 times/day.
* Gentle knee extension stretches: Hold 30 seconds, 3 repetitions, 3 times/day.
Assessment:
* Primary Diagnosis: Right knee medial meniscal tear with Grade 1 medial collateral ligament sprain, likely a result of the twisting injury sustained during netball. Clinical reasoning is supported by the mechanism of injury, localised pain and swelling, positive McMurray's and Valgus stress tests, and MRI findings. The patient presents with acute pain and significant functional limitations in ambulation and daily activities.
* Differential Diagnoses: Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ruled out by negative Lachman's and Anterior Drawer tests), patellofemoral pain syndrome (less likely given acute trauma and localised tenderness).
* Progress towards goals: Patient is currently in the acute phase of injury. Pain levels are high, and range of motion is limited. Baseline measurements have been established to track progress. Initial goals focus on pain reduction and restoring basic mobility.
* Barriers to progress: Patient's occupation as a primary school teacher requires prolonged standing and movement, which may be a barrier to rest and recovery initially. Fear of re-injury may also impact adherence to exercise.
Plan:
* Continue with RICE protocol, pain management, and a progressive home exercise programme focused on pain-free range of motion and muscle activation.
* Next review appointment: 1 November 2024 (in one week).
* Treatment for next appointment:
* Re-assessment of pain and range of motion.
* Progression of strengthening exercises.
* Further education on injury management and return-to-sport guidelines.
* Referrals: No immediate referrals planned, but orthopaedic review will be considered if conservative management does not yield satisfactory progress.
* Communications: Physiotherapist to provide a brief update to the patient's GP regarding the initial assessment and management plan.
HOPC:
[Describe the history of the presenting condition, including mechanism and date of onset or injury, symptom progression, and management undertaken since onset or injury] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points to capture all relevant information.)
[Describe the aggravating and easing factors for the patient's symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points.)
[Describe the behaviour of the patient's symptoms over a 24-hour period] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points.)
Radiology:
[List any radiology investigations undertaken for the presenting complaint, including the type of imaging and a summary of findings] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list, with each new investigation on a new line.)
Past Medical History:
[List existing and past medical conditions, including a brief description of each condition and how the patient is currently managing it, including any relevant medications with dosage and frequency] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
[List any known allergies, including the allergen and nature of the reaction] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
Social History:
[Describe relevant social history including lifestyle factors, living arrangements, available support network, and relevant substance use history] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points.)
[Describe relevant family medical history that may relate to the presenting condition or impact the patient's response to therapy] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points.)
[Describe the patient's employment status, occupation, typical working hours, and the physical and mental demands of their role] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write using bullet points.)
Goals:
[List the patient's short-term physiotherapy goals and the expected timeframe for achieving each goal] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list, with each new goal on a new line.)
[List the patient's long-term physiotherapy goals and the expected timeframe for achieving each goal] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list, with each new goal on a new line.)
Objective:
[List all physical observations and examination findings such as active range of motion, strength findings and special orthopaedic tests] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list, grouping related findings together under subheadings where appropriate.)
Treatment:
[List all education provided during the session, including the topic and key messages conveyed] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
[List all manual and hands-on treatment techniques performed during the session, including the technique, region treated, parameters and repetitions where applicable] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
[List all active therapeutic exercises performed during the session, including the exercise name, target region, sets, repetitions, and any relevant parameters] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
[List all home exercises prescribed, including exercise name, sets, repetitions, and frequency of performance] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a list.)
Assessment:
[State the primary diagnosis and summarise the clinical reasoning based on subjective and objective findings] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[State any differential diagnoses being considered and summarise the supporting clinical reasoning] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Summarise the patient's progress towards their stated short-term and long-term goals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Describe any identified barriers that may be affecting the patient's progress or response to treatment] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in full sentences.)
Plan:
[Provide a brief summary of the clinical management plan until the next appointment] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[State the planned timeline for the next review or appointment] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write in a bullet point list.)
[Describe the likely treatment and interventions planned for the next appointment] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a bullet point list.)
[List any referrals to other healthcare professionals that have been made or are recommended] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a bullet point list.)
[List any correspondence, phone calls, or communications the treating physiotherapist plans to complete before the next session] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, context or clinical note, else omit entirely. Write as a bullet point list.)
(Never include information that has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, context or clinical note. If information related to any placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned, leave that section blank without indicating that information is missing. Use as many bullet points as needed to capture all relevant clinical information from the transcript.)