Abstract
A patient with a suspected supraspinatus strain was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 11 sessions in a 5-week time period at an outpatient worker’s compensation physical therapy clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, goniometry, manual muscle testing, and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and a plan of care was established to address pain with right shoulder active range of motion, decreased range of motion at the right shoulder, weakness in the right upper extremity, and difficulty reaching and lifting overhead and performing work related duties. Main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, regain strength, and return to regular work duties. Main interventions used were progressive range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles, functional retraining, and patient education. The patient showed significant improvement in pain level, right shoulder active range of motion and strength, and ability to repeatedly lift overhead. The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program to continue making improvements in her condition.