You Will Perform A History Of A Musculoskeletal Problem ✓ Solved

You will perform a history of a musculoskeletal problem

You will perform a history of a musculoskeletal problem that your instructor has provided you or one that you have experienced and perform an assessment of the musculoskeletal system. You will document your subjective and objective findings, identify actual or potential risks, and submit this in a Word document to the dropbox provided. Your subjective portion of the documentation should briefly describe your “client.” For example, “This client is a 23-year-old white female complaining of a painful, swollen ankle. States that she stepped ‘funny’ off a step two days ago and thinks she heard a ripping sound. She takes no medications and has no allergies. The client reports pain as 5/10 with sharp twinges when trying to walk, resting and ice decreases pain to 2/10 aching. Pain is primarily in the outer aspect of the ankle and foot. Has no prior injury to this area. No significant past medical history.” In terms of your objective findings, remember to only record what you have assessed. Do not make a diagnosis or state the cause of a finding. You are not coming to any conclusions within your documentation. When your documentation is complete, you will note any findings that were abnormal.

Paper For Above Instructions

This paper focuses on the history taking and assessment of a musculoskeletal problem, specifically addressing a case of an injured ankle. The subjective and objective findings will be documented using a structured approach while keeping out any diagnostic conclusions or interpretations.

Client History

This client is a 32-year-old Hispanic male who presented with complaints of pain and swelling in the left ankle. The client states that he twisted his ankle after slipping while playing basketball two days ago. He reports hearing a "pop" sound at the time of injury. The client is not currently taking any medications and has no known allergies. He describes his pain as 6/10 on the pain scale, with sharp pain during attempts to walk and intermittent throbbing when at rest. The swelling is noticeable on the lateral aspect of the ankle, and he reports mild bruising starting to appear. He has a previous history of one similar ankle sprain, but this incident is significantly more painful than the previous one.

Objective Findings

Upon physical examination, the left ankle was found to be swollen, measuring approximately 2 cm larger than the right ankle. Palpation of the lateral malleolus elicited significant tenderness, while the medial malleolus was not tender. The client demonstrated limited range of motion in plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, with pain exacerbating in both directions. There was no evidence of an open wound or visible deformity. The anterior drawer test indicated instability, and the client was unable to bear weight on the affected limb without assistance. Neurovascular assessment showed a capillary refill of less than 2 seconds, and pulse was intact across both dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries.

Assessment and Risks

In assessing the situation, several actual or potential risks can be identified. The swelling presents the risk of compartment syndrome if not managed appropriately. Additionally, if the ankle is not rehabilitated properly, the client may be at risk for recurrent ankle sprains, which can lead to chronic instability and long-term damage. The physical limitations observed during the assessment further point to the necessity for immediate intervention to promote healing and prevent further complications. Recommendations include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method) combined with a follow-up visit to monitor recovery.

Conclusion

The documentation of the subjective and objective findings provides a comprehensive overview of the client's condition without making explicit diagnoses. While assessment findings indicate a possible sprain, it is essential to proceed with caution and allow a qualified professional to deliver a diagnosis and treatment plan. Future consultations will be aimed at monitoring improvement, and if necessary, additional imaging studies may be warranted to rule out fractures or more severe injuries.

References

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