TENDINITIS

If the rotator cuff tendons are swollen due to impingement, physiotherapy treatment can assist from the acute phase through to end stage rehabilitation or return to sport. Early treatment involves decreasing local inflammation and improving biomechanics to decrease impingement potential.

Treatment will include posterior gleno-humeral joint capsular stretching, muscle stretching and strengthening, thoracic and cervical spine mobilisations, and correction of sporting technique if appropriate. Taping and dry needling may also be trialled.

TEARS

If there has been a minor tear of the rotator cuff, conservative management, similar to that for subacromial impingement, will generally lead to excellent results. For larger tears that may require surgical repair, physiotherapy treatment post-surgery is essential to strengthen the weakened tissues and to correct any biomechanical dysfunctions that may have originally contributed to the tear, to not only prevent recurrence of the injury, but also to ensure that the best possible post-surgical outcome is achieved. Returning to full shoulder range and strength following surgery will allow the patient to be fully functional even to the point of return to high level sporting endeavours.

Physiotherapy treatment post-surgery can start immediately to decrease the potential loss of the muscle tone of the scapular stabilisers (particularly lower trapezius and serratus anterior) and to prevent cervical/thoracic complications due to wearing the shoulder sling and brace. Most orthopaedic surgeons have their own post-operative treatment protocols, and these treatment protocols are gradually becoming more accelerated.

TREATMENT

Arthroscopic surgery can be used effectively for a variety of surgical procedures, including cleaning out arthritic shoulder joints, repairing tears that are suitable for surgery, removing spurs on the lateral process of the acromium to increase the subacromial space, removal of the bursa, and even to repair the labrum. Failure of conservative management for minor shoulder conditions, or patient presentation with major pathology, is usually followed by referral to an orthopedic surgeon with an interest in upper limb conditions

We provide physiotherapy service to Beaumaris in Ocean Reef as well as across all the Northern Suburbs including Heathridge physio services, Currambine, Mullaloo physiotherapy, Joondalup, Connolly, Beldon and Iluka physiotherapy.