Abstract
An 88-year-old male patient presenting with right partial rotator cuff tear was seen for physical therapy treatment for 14 sessions in a 7-week period for outpatient physical therapy. Treatment was provided by a physical therapist student under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with manual muscle testing (MMT), goniometry, observation, the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS). A plan of care was established to address the following deficits: right shoulder pain, decreased range of motion (ROM), reduced strength, limitations in functional ability and activities of daily living (ADLS), and restrictions with work. Main goals for the patient were to decrease pain, improve in ROM, strength, and upper extremity function, and return to normal work duties. Main interventions used were manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic activity, neuromuscular reeducation, and task specific training.
The patient achieved the following goals: decreased pain, increased ROM, increased strength, improved upper extremity function. He returned to work on light duty. The patient was discharged to continue living independently at home and was provided with a home exercise program.