Shoulder Physiotherapist Milsons Point

Rotator Cuff Injuries 

The shoulder capsule is reinforced with a number of muscles that hold the joint into the socket like a hand. The fingers are the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff muscles enable the shoulder to move in a large range of directions, in combination with the shoulder blade and the thoracic rings (see previous section).

Acromioclavicular joint 

Acromioclavicular joint sprains (A/c joint – collar bones) – this joint is usually injured by falling onto an outstretched hand. The collar bone is the only bony connection of the shoulder to the trunk. It acts a strut holding the shoulder out wide away from the midline.

When the ligaments are weak, other muscles and postural awareness has to maintain the shoulder posture to enable good strong shoulder function.

Stiff or “frozen” shoulder 

This can be capsulitis (usually painful), or frozen shoulder (stiff and not painful). A stiff shoulder will go through stages. When it starts moving (‘thawing”) after the pain free “frozen” stage is when to start physio. Physio can help get you moving again.

Impingement 

Impingement from poor movement control or patterning of the arm and shoulder blade together. Soft tissue release and neuromuscular retraining (retraining movement patterns) can relieve impingement pain.

Referred pain

Referral pain from the neck. The neck is mobilised, nerves mobilised and a home exercise program prescribed.