Er, this is… ah yes, Michael Abbott, forty years old, came in today complaining of, um, left shoulder pain… it’s been going on for about, well, maybe four, five weeks, can’t quite remember exactly, but he says it’s been worse in the last ten days. No, uh, no trauma as such, but he did start doing some DIY at home and, uh, was painting the ceiling for two days straight which might be related. Pain’s mostly at the front, sometimes a bit into the upper arm, and he says he feels it when, um, reaching up into cupboards or putting on a jacket. On exam, I found reduced abduction, painful arc around ninety degrees, and tenderness over the bicipital groove. Rotator cuff strength seems okay but there’s mild discomfort on resisted supination. I’m thinking biceps tendinopathy. I’ve advised him to ease off overhead work, start some isometric biceps loading, and we’ll review in… let’s say two weeks.
Subjective:
Michael Abbott reports left shoulder pain persisting for approximately 4-5 weeks, with a recent worsening over the last ten days. He mentions no specific trauma but has been engaged in DIY activities at home, including painting the ceiling continuously for two days, which may be related to his symptoms. The pain is primarily situated at the front of the shoulder, occasionally radiating into the upper arm. Symptoms exacerbate when reaching upwards or when putting on a jacket.
Objective:
Upon examination, Michael exhibits reduced abduction and a painful arc around ninety degrees. There is noted tenderness over the bicipital groove. Rotator cuff strength is adequate, but there is mild discomfort on resisted supination. These findings suggest possible biceps tendinopathy.
Assessment:
The clinical presentation and symptoms are indicative of biceps tendinopathy, likely exacerbated by recent overhead activities.
Plan:
Michael has been advised to reduce overhead activities and commence isometric biceps loading exercises. A follow-up appointment is scheduled in two weeks to review progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
From those notes and from other details contained within his Physiodiary record, Physio-AI produced the following with just a few mouse clicks:
Demonstration Practice
21 The Street
Anytown
Telephone: 0123 456789
10/08/2025
18 Ings Lane
DEERHURST
Anyshire
GL19 0HS
Dear Michael,
Michael, here's your tailored home exercise physiotherapy plan to help manage and improve your shoulder pain, specifically targeting the biceps tendinopathy:
Isometric Biceps Curls:
-Sit or stand with your elbow bent at 90 degrees.
-Hold a light weight (like a small water bottle) or use a resistance band.
-Push against the resistance without actually moving your arm.
-Hold for 5-10 seconds.
-Repeat 10 times, doing this 3 times a day.
Shoulder Blade Squeezes:
-Sit or stand with your arms relaxed at your sides.
-Gently squeeze your shoulder blades together, hold for 5 seconds, then release.
-Repeat 10-15 times, twice a day.
Pendulum Exercise:
-Lean over slightly, supporting yourself with your good arm on a table.
-Let your affected arm hang down loosely.
-Gently swing your arm forward and back, then side to side, and finally in small circles.
-Perform for 1-2 minutes, twice a day.
Wall Push-Ups:
-Stand facing a wall, feet shoulder-width apart.
-Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height.
-Bend your elbows to lean your body towards the wall, keeping your feet flat on the ground.
-Push back to the starting position.
-Perform 2 sets of 10 repetitions, once a day.
Doorway Stretch:
Stand in a doorway with your elbow bent at 90 degrees and your forearm against the door frame.
Step through the doorway slightly until you feel a gentle stretch in your shoulder.
Hold for 15-30 seconds.
Repeat 3 times, twice a day.
Remember to perform these exercises gently and stop if you experience any sharp or increasing pain. It's important to keep your follow-up appointment so we can assess your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.
Kind regards
Fred the Physio
Demonstration Practice
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