Success Story at The Healthcare Resort of Leawood, Kansas

By Alissa Suckiel, COTA/L, Assistant Therapy Program Manager, Outpatient Therapy Coordinator

Frederick was referred to the HCR-Leawood following his hospitalization at KU Hospital on November 15, 2024, after sustaining a fall from a 20-foot ladder. He landed on his back on a brick, resulting in hemorrhagic shock. While at the hospital, he was found with the following: hemopneumothorax, right pulmonary contusion, left pectinate intramuscular hemorrhage, non-compressive epidural hemorrhage of C6–C7 spine, and multiple fractures. He sustained fractures of right ribs 3–7, 11, 13 and left ribs 5–13, right scapular body fracture, T9 and T10 chance fracture, T5 compression fracture, transverse process fracture of T1 and L1–L4, left superior and inferior pubic rami fracture, left sacral alar fracture, and right sacral fracture.

On November 16, 2024, Fred underwent a T4–T6 and T8–T11 percutaneous fusion and a traction pin placement in the right lower extremity. On November 18, 2024, he underwent an ORIF for the sacral and pubic rami fracture. He was admitted to HCR-Leawood on November 25, 2024, with orders for NWB on the right and left lower extremities. On December 17, 2024, staff were trained on slide board transfers. On January 1, 2025, he was Mod I for toileting at slide board level, and on January 8, he was fully released for independent transfers at the slide board level. The patient remained non-weight bearing for eight weeks. On January 14, 2025, he was released to full weight bearing on the left lower extremity and 50% weight bearing on the right lower extremity.

The patient met his expected discharge score, and on January 29, 2025, he was discharged back home with his wife at full weight-bearing status. He was a Hoyer lift upon admission and was unable to ambulate. At the time of increased weight-bearing status, he was able to ambulate x 60 feet, and at the time of discharge, he was ambulating 500 feet with 4WW at Modified Independent. Fred was dependent for lower body dressing and Mod A for upper body dressing and was able to perform ADLs independently at the time of discharge. Fred's length of stay was 65 days, and he made tremendous progress during this time from dependent to independent.