Abstract
A patient who was 10 weeks status-post (s/p) right reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) was seen for student physical therapy treatment for 10 sessions over 10 weeks at an outpatient physical therapy clinic under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with functional observation, goniometry, manual muscle testing, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire, and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and a plan of care was established to address right-sided glenohumeral range of motion (ROM), muscular weakness, and functional mobility for activities of daily living (ADLs). The main goals for the patient were minimizing pain, improving functional abilities to perform ADLs, and returning to normal recreational and occupational participations. The main interventions used were manual stretching, rhythmic stabilization, progressive ROM and strengthening exercises, and task-specific functional exercises within the limitations of the patient’s post-surgical movement restrictions. The patient achieved the following goals for shoulder complex active ROM (AROM), shoulder abduction strength, pain reduction, and QuickDASH score, and progressed towards achievement of goals for shoulder flexion and external rotation strength, ASES score, and PSFS scores. The patient was discharged to continued treatment with a license physical therapist for 4 additional weeks prior to being discharged home with an updated home exercise program (HEP).