Abstract
A 65-year-old male patient who was 4 days post right rotator cuff repair and biceps tenodesis was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 16 sessions in an 8-week period for outpatient physical therapy. Evaluation and treatment were performed under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, manual muscle testing, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and the Patient Specific Functional Scale. A plan of care was established to address the patient’s pain, decreased range of motion, decreased strength, limitations in right upper extremity function, and restricted participation in recreational activity. Main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, improve strength and range of motion, regain upper extremity function, and to return to recreational activities. Main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. The patient responded well to the provided interventions and displayed improvements in pain levels, range of motion, strength, and function. Although the patient made significant gains during this plan of care, more physical therapy was required to address his remaining deficits. The patient’s 8th week of care was during the final week of the student physical therapist and he was transferred to the care of the supervising physical therapist.