Upper Limb

Shoulder conditions have a range of possible causes including strenuous activity, overuse, trauma, degeneration and muscle tension or spasm, and can significantly impair your ability to get through day-to-day activities painlessly, if at all.

Conditions we commonly see related to this type of pain are:

  • Shoulder dislocations/instability
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • SLAP lesions or labral tears
  • Sport injuries
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint, including following total shoulder replacement.

The treatment we prescribe is based on the individual stage of your condition when you present it with us. It may involve treating an acute injury and so performing preoperative strength exercises to maximise recovery, or work you through a rehabilitation program following surgery.

Our clinicians follow the latest evidence-based practices and work closely with referring surgeons and specialists to ensure your recovery potential is the highest it possibly can be.

Rotator Cuff Surgery

Surgery to repair an injured or damaged rotator cuff can take some time to fully heal, requiring the group of muscles that provide the shoulder stability to be strong and free of risk of further damage.

Our treatment is based on the specific type of surgery performed. This may include performing preoperative strength exercises to maximise recovery following surgery, or working through a rehabilitation program following your rotator cuff surgery.

The Ramsay Health Plus clinicians follow the latest evidence-based practice and work closely with the referring surgeons and specialists to ensure you maximise your recovery potential.

Your optimal outcome will be improved range of motion, strength and an ability to use the arm for work, sport and daily activities while also preventing injury in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most surgeons will recommend that you don’t drive for approximately six weeks following rotator cuff surgery, but this will depend on the type of surgical procedure that has been performed. It is important to check restrictions with your surgeon and follow their instructions. You may not be insured if you drive against medical advice.
Although recovery from arthroscopy is often faster than recovery from open surgery, it may still take weeks or months for your shoulder joint to completely recover. You can expect some pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery. You will be guided to complete some gentle exercises after surgery and should follow any advice given regarding applying ice to the area or taking pain relief.
Your surgeon will provide a post-operative protocol for physiotherapy following rotator cuff surgery, based on the type of surgery undertaken. Physiotherapy will normally begin with passive (fully assisted) movements within a limited range, then active-assisted movements, followed by active movements. Rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation focuses on initially protecting the surgical area as it heals, then gradually strengthening the shoulder and surrounding muscles before commencing more advanced exercises such as sports-specific movements. The whole process takes a number of months and your physiotherapist will be in close contact with your surgeon during this time.

In Australia, a referral is not required to be able to see a physiotherapist – although it is often helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing a physiotherapist. There are a few exceptions to this. You will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending physiotherapy in the circumstances of:

  • Workers Compensation Claims
  • CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
  • Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral)

Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement surgery is complex and involves the damaged parts of the shoulder (the ball, also known as the humeral head, the socket, called the glenoid, or both) being removed and replaced with artificial components (prostheses).  

Treatment may involve performing preoperative strength exercises to maximise recovery following surgery, working through a rehabilitation program following shoulder replacement surgery, or addressing other contributing factors.

The Ramsay Health Plus clinicians follow the latest evidence based practice and work closely with the referring surgeons and specialists to ensure you maximise your recovery potential.

Our aim is to improve range of motion, strength and ability to use the arm for work, sport and daily activities and to prevent ongoing pain or dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is important that you follow a post operative protocol from your surgeon, under the guidance of a physiotherapist, to ensure you are performing the correct exercises to optimise your recovery after surgery. Exercises will often begin with passive pendular (circular) movements, gradually increasing to active-assisted movements followed by active movements. Strengthening your shoulder after surgery will usually take a number of months
You can expect some pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery. You will be guided to complete some gentle exercises after surgery and should follow any other advice given regarding applying ice to the area or taking pain relief.

In Australia, a referral is not required to be able to see a physiotherapist – although it is often helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing a physiotherapist. There are a few exceptions to this. You will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending physiotherapy in the circumstances of:

  • Workers Compensation Claims
  • CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
  • Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral)

Other Shoulder Surgery

For all other shoulder surgery recovery, treatment plans are based on the specific type of surgery performed. It may include performing preoperative strength exercises to maximise recovery following surgery or working through a rehabilitation program following shoulder surgery.

The Ramsay Health Plus clinicians follow the latest evidence based practice and work closely with the referring surgeons and specialists to ensure you maximise your recovery potential.

  • Improve range of motion
  • Improve strength and ability to use the arm
  • Prevent further injury

Frequently Asked Questions

It is important that you follow a post operative protocol from your surgeon, under the guidance of a physiotherapist, to ensure you are performing the correct exercises to optimise your recovery after surgery. Exercises will often begin with passive pendular (circular) movements, gradually increasing to active-assisted movements followed by active movements. Strengthening your shoulder after surgery will usually take a number of months.
You can expect some pain and discomfort for several weeks after surgery. You will be guided to complete some gentle exercises after surgery and should follow any other advice given regarding applying ice to the area or taking pain relief.

In Australia, a referral is not required to be able to see a physiotherapist – although it is often helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing a physiotherapist. There are a few exceptions to this. You will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending physiotherapy in the circumstances of:

  • Workers Compensation Claims
  • CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
  • Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral)

Services used in this treatment plan include

Exercise Physiology
Hydrotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy

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If you are suffering through shoulder injuries, see us about alleviating your symptoms, and start working on a personalised treatment plan to cure or manage your pain as a short and long-term solution.

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