Shoulder Conditions

• Shoulder impingement syndrome
• Pectoralis Tear
• Osteoarthritis

The shoulder has been reported as a frequent location of injury in sport, particularly contact and throwing sports. Shoulder injuries during sport are more common in youth athletes due to the inherent instability of the joint and can account for around 20% of injuries in youth contact athletes. The most common sports injuries to the shoulder include shoulder dislocation/subluxations, acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) sprains and rotator cuff injuries. Recurrent shoulder injuries in young athletes have the potential to cause long term disabiltity and early diagnosis and management by a shoulder specialist is important. 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative joint disease. OA occurs most frequently in load bearing joints, although shoulder osteoarthritis can affect up to 20% of older adults. It is often referred to as ‘wear and tear’ that effects the cartilage in the joint. The cartilage acts as a shock absorber and as an articulating surface between the bones in the joint. With age, our joints will pick up degenerative changes and these changes can be more symptomatic in some more than others. The severity of your symptoms will guide which treatment options are most appropriate for you. Optimal management requires a variety of treatments and depending on the severity of the condition may require surgical intervention. Surgery is reserved for severe clinical disease with structural changes in the joint

Shoulder pain is common across all ages and usually it is not a cause for concern. Shoulder pain can occur as a result of an injury or it can come on gradually without any recognisable trauma. Common causes of shoulder pain include injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments or cartilage or overuse with repeated overhead activities. Most minor shouldercomplaints improve with conservative treatment such as rest, exercise and physiotherapy. If you are experiencing shoulder pain which has not resolved with physiotherapy, it is reccomended to visit your GP to discuss further investigation.