Shoulder Injuries Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy for Shoulder Pain

As a ball and socket joint, our shoulders have a huge degree of movement. This enables you to lift overhead, swing that racket, throw that ball, and all those other everyday movements we use in our daily life. All this movement requires a collection of tendons, muscles, ligaments and bursas to ensure our shoulder stays stable and healthy.

By far the most common problem encountered with the shoulder includes the Rotator Cuff. The four main tendons of the muscles of the shoulder blend together to form a cuff passing through a small arch in the shoulder. Also in this arch sits a small fluid bursa that limits friction on the tendons. With dysfunction of the muscles the bursa can become inflamed (bursitis) and be the source of significant pain.

The Rotator cuff is very important in moving the arm stabilising the shoulder, however is vulnerable to tendon strains, tears and impingement. These tendon tears can happen through an acute injury, such as a fall, lifting something too heavy or a sports injury, but these tears are also a normal part of life and you get generalised fraying of these tendons as you age. Commonly, Rotator Cuff tears develop gradually as a result of wear and tear and may result from longstanding impingement. The older you are the more likely your rotator cuff damage is degenerative rather than from acute trauma.

Unfortunately shoulder pain can linger and early intervention is advised. Physiotherapy can help to reduce your pain and inflammation, and strengthen your muscles to allow more normal movement within your shoulder.

Other problems arising with your shoulder could include dislocations and subluxations, although these usually occur in the younger population, and a Frozen Shoulder and Osteoarthritis that are more commonly linked to the older population.

Unfortunately, if the shoulder problem is too significant and does not respond very well to physiotherapy, it may require more invasive treatment. Cortisone injections may be helpful as the cortisone acts on both acute and chronic phases of inflammation to reduce both tissue swelling and scar formation. In some cases if your symptoms do not settle an operation may be suggested. Complete acute tendon tears often need to be repaired surgically. A Rotator Cuff repair is a big operation which has a long rehabilitation time, usually 3-6 months to complete

Your physiotherapist will explain the cause of your shoulder pain, what they can do to help you and if you require any scans or further investigations.

Common Shoulder Injuries

• Rotator Cuff Strain
• Rotator Cuff Impingement
• Dislocated Shoulder
• ACJ disorders
• Frozen Shoulder / Adhesive Capsulitis

Call (02) 8970 8215 or Book Online and have your shoulder injury treated by a qualified Physiotherapist