April 9 - Friday
The Effects of Proper Implementation of MDT on the Outcomes for a Patient with Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Case Report
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Start Date
4-9-2021 3:30 PM
End Date
4-9-2021 4:00 PM
Abstract
Background: Low back pain is one of the most common health problems for older adults. Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT) is a method used by physical therapists to treat low back pain and reduce radicular symptoms. Proper training is necessary to ensure accurate implementation. Improper usage can lead to decreased reliability and errors in patient diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose: To discuss a case in which a patient with low back pain was diagnosed with a derangement syndrome and treated with the improper usage of MDT in physical therapy.
Case Description: A 67-year-old male was experiencing left low back pain with left lower extremity radicular symptom. Pain began 4 weeks prior to physical therapy when he was bending down pulling weeds. He has an extension directional preference. Plan of care included improving pain levels, centralizing lower extremity symptoms, and postural control through strengthening of abdominal muscles. He was treated by a physical therapist assistant who had experience in MDT, but no formal training in the method.
Outcomes: Improvements in pain levels were seen between pre- and post-treatment; however, no overall improvements were seen in pain between sessions. He still experienced radicular symptoms in his left lower extremity with no changes to lumbar ROM.
Discussion: Without proper training, clinicians might be performing MDT incorrectly or not to its full potential, such as exploring directional preferences within all planes of motion. Many misconceptions are made when utilizing MDT as a treatment option. Proper training would ensure accurate implementation, increased reliability, and optimizing patient outcomes.
The Effects of Proper Implementation of MDT on the Outcomes for a Patient with Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Case Report
Background: Low back pain is one of the most common health problems for older adults. Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT) is a method used by physical therapists to treat low back pain and reduce radicular symptoms. Proper training is necessary to ensure accurate implementation. Improper usage can lead to decreased reliability and errors in patient diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose: To discuss a case in which a patient with low back pain was diagnosed with a derangement syndrome and treated with the improper usage of MDT in physical therapy.
Case Description: A 67-year-old male was experiencing left low back pain with left lower extremity radicular symptom. Pain began 4 weeks prior to physical therapy when he was bending down pulling weeds. He has an extension directional preference. Plan of care included improving pain levels, centralizing lower extremity symptoms, and postural control through strengthening of abdominal muscles. He was treated by a physical therapist assistant who had experience in MDT, but no formal training in the method.
Outcomes: Improvements in pain levels were seen between pre- and post-treatment; however, no overall improvements were seen in pain between sessions. He still experienced radicular symptoms in his left lower extremity with no changes to lumbar ROM.
Discussion: Without proper training, clinicians might be performing MDT incorrectly or not to its full potential, such as exploring directional preferences within all planes of motion. Many misconceptions are made when utilizing MDT as a treatment option. Proper training would ensure accurate implementation, increased reliability, and optimizing patient outcomes.