Abstract
A 39- year-old female patient with a 12-month history of left shoulder and anterior arm pain with shoulder range of motion restrictions, and a medical diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis was seen for physical therapy treatment for 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks. Treatment was provided in an outpatient orthopedic clinic by a physical therapy student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, manual muscle testing, goniometry, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire. A plan of care was established to address the patient’s pain, limited range of motion and strength, functional abilities of the left upper extremity, activities of daily living, and recreational participation. The main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, improve strength and range of motion, improve ability to complete activities of daily living, and return to recreational hobbies. The main interventions used were manual therapy including passive physiologic and passive accessory joint mobilizations, therapeutic exercises, static stretching techniques, patient education, and a home exercise program. The patient demonstrated improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, and upper extremity function resulting in the ability to complete ADLs and participate in recreational activities with limited amounts of pain. The patient elected to continue physical therapy and was continuing her home exercise program as she awaited approval from her insurance company to resume physical therapy sessions.