Abstract
A 73-year-old male patient who was 10 weeks post right open rotator cuff repair was seen in an outpatient physical therapy clinic for 4 sessions in a 3 week period by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, and the QuickDASH questionnaire. A plan of care was established to address mild to moderate post operative pain, moderate right shoulder active and passive range of motion deficits, moderate right upper functional limitations during overhead and behind the back reaching activities, and severe participation restrictions household duties. The main goals for the patient were to decrease pain levels and improve active and passive range of motion. The main interventions, including manual therapy and therapeutic exercise, were based on tissue healing times and progressive tissue loading. At discharge, the patient demonstrated decreased pain levels and improved active and passive range of motion. The patient’s plan of care was transferred to the supervising physical therapist for continued physical therapy treatments.