Abstract
A 58-year-old male 7.5 weeks status post right shoulder arthroscopic repair of a massive rotator cuff tear was seen for physical therapy for 16 sessions over 9 weeks at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. Evaluation and treatment were provided by a physical therapist student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with goniometry, manual muscle testing, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Patient Specific Functional Scale. A plan of care was established to address severe right shoulder pain, severely decreased range of motion (ROM), severely decreased muscle strength, severely limited functional activities, and restrictions of recreational activity. The primary goals of the patient were to decrease pain intensity, improve ROM and upper extremity muscle strength, improve ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL’s), and return to play golf with minimal limitations. The main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, task-specific training, modalities, and patient education.