Shoulder problems

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in our body. This mobility makes it easier for us to perform complex physical activities by positioning our arm and hand in appropriate positions. However, shoulder stability is sacrificed at the expense of mobility. Being very mobile, the shoulder is prone to several problems such as dislocations, tendon rapture and degeneration among others.

Common shoulder problems

Common shoulder problems include rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder and shulder bursitis.

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff is a goup of 4 muscles and their tendons which hold the shoulder joint in its shallow socket. Rotator cuff provides stability to the shoulder and damage to it would result in shoulder instability.

With time, rotator cuff may go through wear and tear. This may result in shoulder pain. Shoulder pain is one of the most common problems among adults and one of the most common problems attended to by a musculoskeletal physiotherapist.

Once the rotator cuff has been damaged to the extent that conservative management cannot fix it, rotator cuff repair surgery followed by rotator cuff rehabilitation exercises is the best approach to treatment.

Shoulder impingement

This happens when there is chronic compression of the rotator cuff tendons. The rotator cuff tendons may become compressed between the bony structures of the shoulder resulting in pain. For more information on shoulder impingement and how it is assessed and treated, please click here

Read more below

• Rotator cuff repair
• Shoulder keyhole surgery
• Acromioclavicular and shoulder stabilisation surgery
• Shoulder arthroscopic surgery