Question

A 25 year old patient with spastic cerebral palsy is now receiving physical therapy after being without it for over one year. The physical therapist attempts to straighten the patient's legs, but is unable to do so. The physical therapist documents the condition of the legs as:

Answer 1

The physical therapist would likely document the 25 year old cerebral palsy patient's leg condition using terms like spasticity or contracture, which indicate resistance to muscle stretching and potential permanent muscle shortening. A customized physical therapy program aiming to improve flexibility and strength would be necessary for managing these symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The documentation of the 25 year old patient's leg condition by the physical therapist is likely to include terms such as spasticity, contracture, or decreased range of motion. These terms describe the resistance to stretch in muscle tissue, which can cause permanent shortening (contracture) when muscles remain unused for an extended period, as seen in patients with cerebral palsy. Such conditions can be managed with various physical therapy techniques aimed at increasing flexibility, strength, and functional mobility. Due to the complex nature of cerebral palsy and the individual variability in symptom presentation and severity, the physical therapy program for this patient would be tailored to their specific needs, taking into account the limitations imposed by the spasticity of the muscles.