Abstract
A 66-year-old patient with suspected subacromial pain syndrome was seen for physical therapy treatment over10 weeks totaling 20 sessions at an outpatient orthopedic private practice clinic. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with range of motion, manual muscle testing, and shoulder special testing. A plan of care was established to address the patient’s range of motion, strength, and functional deficits. Main goals for the patient were returning to lifting weights at the gym and returning to work as a property manager. An impairment-based approach was used with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education prioritized. The patient responded well to physical therapy interventions, as demonstrated by improvements in range of motion, strength, and patient-reported function. Due to the patient’s goals not being completely met, the plan of care was extended. Her plan of care was continued by a physical therapist at the outpatient clinic with a plan for discharge from physical therapy with a home exercise program.