Abstract
A 57-year-old male with left subacromial impingement syndrome was seen by a physical therapist student for 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks in an outpatient physical therapy clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was examined at the initial encounter with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, manual muscle testing, goniometry, observation of posture, Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer’s test, painful arc test, empty can, external rotation resistance test, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and the Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. A plan of care was established for this patient and the main goals were to decrease pain and improve range of motion, and strength, and posture to allow the patient to return to work and perform household tasks without limitations. Main interventions used were therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and patient education. The patient achieved improvements in pain, range of motion, strength, and upper extremity function and was able to return to work without limitations. The patient was discharged to his home with a home exercise program.