title: Home health physical therapy intervention for an adolescent after intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor limb-lengthening surgery: a case report.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Dep. of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Ave, Stop 8045, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA. Tel 208-282-3065, fax 208-282-4962. jacktren@isu.edu.
authors.forename: Trent
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jackman
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seiger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000601:surgery*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities