Shoulder pain is common. Like many parts of our body, we can also take our shoulder for granted – but these are complex joints which rely on bones, muscles and ligaments for stability and mobility.

As you can see from this diagram it is complex, but simply put we have 3 main bones which go to construct a shoulder the Clavicle (collar bone), Humerus (upper arm) and Scapula (shoulder blades) as we commonly think of it.

This complex structure is, like the rest of the human body, incredible. It allows us to do everything from putting a coat on to juggling. However, it doesn’t take much for small problem in one of these areas to cause big problems.

There are many common problems we see regularly which include
Shoulder Impingement. This is a term usually applied when a tendon has less room to move in when you lift your arm, most commonly in older people but can also be a common sports injury.

Frozen shoulder this is a very painful condition which has nothing to do with ice or cold, it is more accurately called adhesive capsulitis. This is a progressive problem which causes pain and restriction in the shoulder, to the point where it can feel frozen or fixed in position. This does respond to treatment and exercise – if you come with a frozen shoulder you will definitely get homework to do.

Osteoarthritis is a common problem, especially in people who have physical jobs or partake in dangerous sports where numerous accidents can happen! This is a chronic condition in which cartilage (the lining of the bone) becomes damaged and this can lead to damage to the surrounding tissue and some overgrowth of bone. Arthritis pain can be extremely debilitating but it is something that can be managed with activity and treatment.

Rotator cuff this is another of the diagnosis which doesn’t accurately say much – we all have a rotator cuff. This is a group of muscles which helps stabilise your shoulder, so a rotator cuff problem needs to be diagnosed accurately, as you need to be working on the right muscle to get progression.

If you have a shoulder problem give us a call, we will endeavour to give you an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment – but rest assured, if your problem needs imaging or medical intervention, we will tell you and refer you appropriately.