Conditions

Subacromial impingement

The tendons of the rotator cuff pass beneath the front corner of the shoulder blade. Spurs of bone may develop over time on the front corner of this bone called the acromion and cause abrasion of the tendon and its surface covering called the bursa. This can produce pain when raising the arm and is a condition called subacromial impingement.

Rotator cuff tears

The rotator cuff tendon may tear due to abrasion caused by a bone spur on the front corner of the shoulder blade (acromion) or from an acute injury resulting in a painful, weak shoulder.

Shoulder dislocation

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. It has the greatest tendency to dislocate (come out of joint) of any joint in the body. This is due to the socket (glenoid) being very shallow compared with the diameter of the ball. The stability of the shoulder is improved by the presence of a series of ligaments, a thick rim of tissue that deepens the socket called the labrum and a strong but flexible sack, the capsule, the surrounds and contains the whole shoulder joint.

If the ligaments or the capsule stretch or the labrum is torn off the socket then the joint may partially or fully dislocate.

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition in which the shoulder becomes painful and stiff due to inflammation and thickening of the capsule (sack) around the shoulder joint.

Arthritis of the shoulder and shoulder replacement

Arthritis of the shoulder is relatively rare compared with osteoarthritis affecting the hip or knee, but the principles of treatment are similar.

Shoulder fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries

Fractures and injuries around the shoulder, are relatively common and as a result of sporting or road traffic accidents

"Tennis" elbow

Tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition used to describe symptoms of pain over the outer aspect of the elbow. The precise cause is unknown but it is thought to be associated with damage to the tendon of a muscle that is involved with extension of the wrist