Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is made up of a number of muscles that assist in moving your shoulder, including lifting your arm out from the side.
Problems that can occur with the area follow injury to the shoulder via accident, wear and tear due to activity or as a result of the aging process.
100% of 80 year olds, 80% of 70 year olds and 50% of 60 year olds have a tear in their supraspinatus tendons found during scanning. The tears may not be symptomatic, however are an indication of wear.
The most common presentation by a patient to a health professional occurs when severe night pain (often followed by day time pain) occurs, along with a very painful arm when trying to lift the arm sideways, especially with the elbow at shoulder height. The pain can be very sharp, with a dull ache following, like a tooth ache. Most daily function is affected, except with activity below shoulder height. People often try to sleep with their hand behind their head to alleviate the pain, however this position is not good for the supraspinatus tendon blood supply.
The abocve symptoms are referred to as impingement signs. This means that some internal shoulder structures are becoming compressed as the arm is moved. Once again, various parts of the anatomy can be involved.
Physiotherapy can assist for most shoulder conditions, whether to alleviate the symptoms, reduce or delay the need for surgery, as well as to rehabilitate the shoulder following corrective surgery. Ultrasound and other types of scans are often performed to assist diagnosis.
MrPhysio+ Consultant physio Mark Quittner is able to provide a comprehensive explanation of the problem then formulate a treatment plan.
Problems that can occur with the area follow injury to the shoulder via accident, wear and tear due to activity or as a result of the aging process.
100% of 80 year olds, 80% of 70 year olds and 50% of 60 year olds have a tear in their supraspinatus tendons found during scanning. The tears may not be symptomatic, however are an indication of wear.
The most common presentation by a patient to a health professional occurs when severe night pain (often followed by day time pain) occurs, along with a very painful arm when trying to lift the arm sideways, especially with the elbow at shoulder height. The pain can be very sharp, with a dull ache following, like a tooth ache. Most daily function is affected, except with activity below shoulder height. People often try to sleep with their hand behind their head to alleviate the pain, however this position is not good for the supraspinatus tendon blood supply.
The abocve symptoms are referred to as impingement signs. This means that some internal shoulder structures are becoming compressed as the arm is moved. Once again, various parts of the anatomy can be involved.
Physiotherapy can assist for most shoulder conditions, whether to alleviate the symptoms, reduce or delay the need for surgery, as well as to rehabilitate the shoulder following corrective surgery. Ultrasound and other types of scans are often performed to assist diagnosis.
MrPhysio+ Consultant physio Mark Quittner is able to provide a comprehensive explanation of the problem then formulate a treatment plan.
Frozen Shoulder
MrPhysio+ Consultant physio Mark Quittner was one, if not the first, physio in Australia to be involved in the technique referred to as Capsular Hydrodilatation for rotator cuff problems. The original method remains the best, as it does not require the expense of radiology scanning and the results have been reported as less painful and superior to the later technique. If you have had restricted shoulder movement above your head and behind your back plus night pain for more than three months, MrPhysio+ can arrange for you to have assessment and treatment.
The usual cause is a tightening of the 'bag' around the joint, which requires stretching from within. The procedure is undertaken with anaesthetic, within a Doctors rooms. Without treatment the condition may self resolve within two years. image courtesy of ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The usual cause is a tightening of the 'bag' around the joint, which requires stretching from within. The procedure is undertaken with anaesthetic, within a Doctors rooms. Without treatment the condition may self resolve within two years. image courtesy of ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net