Zach Zuniga PT Pierce Thurmond PT

Summary

Jimmy, a back operator with knee pain from an injury caused by a goat, seeks physical therapy to manage his condition. The therapist, Zach, evaluates Jimmy's pain levels and impact on daily activities, including work and exercise. Despite past workout attempts, Jimmy struggles with motivation due to work fatigue and knee discomfort. The plan is to start with simple knee-strengthening exercises and gradually progress. Jimmy's visual learning style and desire for morning workouts are noted to aid in his recovery. The session focuses on developing a tailored approach to improve his knee function and quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jimmy is experiencing right knee pain caused by an injury from a goat collision while walking on his land.
• 😀 Jimmy's pain is described as a dull ache that worsens when climbing stairs or performing physical tasks.
• 😀 Pain level ranges from 2 out of 10 at rest to 4 out of 10 during activity, such as climbing stairs.
• 😀 Jimmy initially managed pain with Motrin and ice but has discontinued Motrin and relies on rest and ice.
• 😀 His knee pain affects his job as a back operator, which requires frequent bending and climbing in and out of equipment.
• 😀 Despite a history of inconsistent exercise, Jimmy used to work out a few times a week but now struggles due to knee pain and work fatigue.
• 😀 Jimmy's physical activity and work challenges have led to a decrease in his motivation to exercise regularly.
• 😀 Jimmy prefers to learn through visual demonstrations and will follow along after seeing exercises performed by the therapist.
• 😀 There are no other medical issues in Jimmy's family history, and his only significant prior injury was a collarbone fracture, now healed.
• 😀 The physical therapist plans to start with basic knee exercises, gradually progressing to more intense rehabilitation to restore knee strength and mobility.
• 😀 The therapist encourages a step-by-step approach to recovery and emphasizes the importance of resting and avoiding overexertion initially.

Q & A

What caused Jimmy's knee injury?

Jimmy's knee injury occurred when one of his goats ran into his knee while he was walking on his land.

How would Jimmy describe the pain in his knee?

Jimmy describes the pain as a dull ache that he feels constantly. It becomes more intense when climbing stairs, reaching a pain level of about 4/10.

What treatments has Jimmy used to manage his knee pain?

Initially, Jimmy used Motrin to reduce swelling, but he stopped taking it about a week ago. Now, he uses ice and elevates his knee to manage the pain.

What activities worsen Jimmy's knee pain?

Climbing stairs significantly worsens Jimmy's knee pain, making it reach a 4/10 pain level. His physically demanding job also aggravates the pain.

How does Jimmy's job affect his knee pain?

Jimmy's job as a back operator involves constant climbing in and out of a rig, which exacerbates his knee pain. He has to carefully plan when to get up or down to avoid worsening the pain.

How does Jimmy feel about exercising with his knee pain?

Jimmy used to work out occasionally but has been discouraged from doing so because of his knee pain. He expresses interest in receiving exercises to help him recover and strengthen his knee.

What is Jimmy's approach to staying active despite the knee pain?

Jimmy has been inconsistent with exercising due to his work schedule and knee pain. However, he is open to working out in the morning before he gets tired from work, which could help him stay motivated.

What motivates Jimmy to stay active despite his knee pain?

Jimmy believes that working out in the morning, before he feels fatigued from work, could help him stay consistent. He also believes that reducing his knee pain would motivate him to exercise more.

What other challenges does Jimmy face due to his knee injury?

Outside of work, Jimmy's knee pain has made it harder for him to engage in activities he once enjoyed, such as working out regularly. His knee pain also limits his ability to perform certain tasks at home, such as climbing stairs to get into his trailer.

What is the physical therapist's plan for Jimmy's treatment?

The physical therapist plans to start with simple exercises to strengthen the muscles around Jimmy's knee. The therapist emphasizes a gradual approach, focusing on building strength step by step to ensure proper healing of the knee.