STARES 1 Communication

S- A 15 year old male patient came into the clinic with his Mum after feeling a sharp sudden pain in the front of his leg while playing football in sport class earlier that morning. The patient iced his leg at school prior to coming to the physiotherapist. The patient also reported that he had a previous quadricep strain on the same leg about 6 months ago but had managed it with RICE and it went away. Also the patient has no PMHx of other musculoskeletal injuries. The patient presented with a slight limp and increased swelling and tenderness in the Right quadriceps muscle belly.

T- The task was to assess the extent of the strain, do an initial treatment to promote healing and decrease pain. Also, to make a treatment plan for further treatment sessions and educate the patient and his mother on acute injuries and its home management. Communication was a large part of this patients management to avoid further injury and to build a rapport with the patient.

A- During the assessment of his quadriceps which involved palpation, AROM of lumbar spine, hip, knee and ankle, posture analysis and muscle strength I discussed with the patient about his school and other activities out of school, focusing on sporting activities and assisting him with what he can do to prevent this type of injury to other muscle groups including stretching, adequate warm up and cool down. Also just spoke to him about his school (as it was the same one I went to) and about his family. I found that by communicating with him about things that he finds interesting it allowed him to talk to me with more enthusiasm and it help build a rapport.
R- By the end of the session the patient felt comfortable enough with me to talk about a large variety of things and really opening up about what he wants to be able to do and get back to doing when his leg gets better. I found that the way I communicated with him especially about home care, ie RICE and I think it took seriously and wants to get better. Results of the assessment are that the patient had a moderate quadriceps strain with a moderate amount of swelling and tenderness.

E- I think that I was effective with my communication technique and that my assessment was thorough and my treatments were suitable for this acute stage of injury. I found that I was explaining everything more thoroughly as the patient was young and his mother was present. I found that she was also really interested to know the healing process and how the treatment process was going to progress. I thought that I explained it all in lay mans terms well to both the patient and his mother.

S- Ensure that at the end of the treatment that all home exercises and RICE techniques are fully understood by both the mother and the patient and that they feel comfortable completing them between now and the time they see you next.
-Prepare for the next stage of management for the quadriceps strain and think of things that would be suitable for a young male patient compared to an adult.