Shoulder injuries
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and the most diagnostically nuanced. Specialist assessment with ultrasound where useful, and an honest discussion of what surgery and non-surgical care each can offer.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it diagnostically nuanced. Several conditions can produce similar pain patterns, and several conditions often coexist. Specialist sport and exercise medicine assessment maps the picture, uses ultrasound where useful, and builds a plan that respects what surgery and non-surgical care each can offer.
Common shoulder problems we see
The most common cause
Tears, tendinopathy and impingement of the rotator cuff tendons.
Read more DislocationA shoulder that feels loose
Shoulders that have come out, or feel unstable after an injury.
Read more Frozen shoulderPainful and stiff
A painful, stiff shoulder that slowly thaws over many months.
Read more AC jointPain at the top
Pain at the top of the shoulder after a fall, or wear over time.
Read more
Rotator cuff conditions
The rotator cuff covers a spectrum: subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, partial-thickness tears, and full-thickness tears. The treatment differs by stage. Many cuff problems respond well to structured rehabilitation. Larger or more functionally significant tears may benefit from surgical opinion.
Specialist assessment includes targeted examination and ultrasound where useful, with a clear plan matched to the picture and your goals.
Dislocation and instability
After a shoulder dislocation, the labrum and capsule may be damaged, with implications for future stability. Younger patients in collision and overhead sports have higher recurrence rates. The decision about surgical stabilisation versus rehabilitation is informed by age, sport, demands, and imaging findings.
Atraumatic instability (the shoulder feels loose without a clear injury) is a different problem and usually responds well to a structured rehabilitation plan focused on the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Frozen shoulder progresses through painful, frozen, and thawing phases over months to a couple of years. Early recognition matters because treatment differs by phase.
AC joint problems
The AC joint sits at the top of the shoulder and is commonly injured in falls and contact sports. Sprains range from minor (no displacement) to high-grade (visible deformity, requiring surgical opinion). Chronic AC joint pain (often osteoarthritis) is a separate pattern, often responsive to a targeted rehabilitation approach with selected injection.
Calcific tendinopathy
Calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons can produce sudden, severe shoulder pain. An image-guided injection procedure can often help.
Common questions
Will I need surgery?
Most shoulder problems do not need surgery. Some do, particularly large traumatic tears in younger active patients. The consultation lays out the options.
Should I have an MRI?
For shoulders, ultrasound is often the first-line imaging because it shows the rotator cuff dynamically. MRI may be requested if more detail is needed.
How long will recovery take?
Days to many months, depending on the diagnosis. The plan names a sensible timeline.
