Abstract
A 30-year-old male construction worker who was 2-weeks post primary anterior glenohumeral dislocation was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 12 sessions in a 6-week period at an outpatient orthopedic clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, manual muscle testing, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, the Patient Specific Functional Scale, the Apprehension test, and the Predicting Recurrent Instability of the Shoulder tool. A plan of care was established to address pain, mobility restrictions, functional activities of daily living, and work duties. Main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, improve range of motion and strength, and return to work at prior level of function. Main interventions used were joint mobilization techniques, stretching, progressive strengthening, neuromuscular re-education, patient education, and a home exercise program. The patient achieved the following goals: reduction of baseline pain and pain with reaching to 0/10 on NPRS, improved range of motion and strength, and return to work without restrictions or functional limitations. The patient was discharged to continue living independently at home with a comprehensive home exercise program.