Education · shoulder
Shoulder
Last reviewed
Shoulder conditions covered here range from acute tendon injuries (rotator cuff tears, biceps ruptures, SLAP lesions) through degenerative arthritis (glenohumeral osteoarthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy) to mechanical and instability problems (frozen shoulder, AC joint disorders, recurrent dislocation). Most operations are arthroscopic — rotator cuff repair, labral stabilisation, capsular release for frozen shoulder, subacromial decompression — with open or arthroscopic Latarjet for instability with bone loss, and shoulder replacement (total or reverse) for end-stage arthritis. Dr Hirpara completed two dedicated shoulder fellowships in Brisbane after the hand-surgery fellowship in Manchester: the Cutbush shoulder fellowship at Brisbane Hand & Upper Limb Clinic, then a sports-shoulder fellowship at St Andrew's War Memorial and The Prince Charles hospitals. He has co-authored research on arthroscopic shoulder reconstruction and continues shoulder outcomes work from the practice. The 40 topics below cover shoulder anatomy, each condition's natural history, the operations available, and what recovery involves.
Conditions
AC Joint OsteoarthritisAC joint osteoarthritis causes localized shoulder pain with cross-body movements; treatment ranges from activity modification to surgery.
Acromioclavicular Joint Injury (Shoulder Separation)A shoulder separation from a fall on the point of the shoulder — grading, the bump that may remain, and when surgery is needed.
Biceps Tendinopathy and Long-Head RuptureFront-of-shoulder biceps tendon pain and the "Popeye" long-head rupture — and why the rupture usually needs no surgery.
Calcific TendinitisCalcific tendinitis causes shoulder pain from calcium deposits; treatment ranges from observation to washing out the calcium.
Clavicle FractureClavicle fractures — when conservative management is fine and when fixation is indicated.
Cuff ArthropathyRotator cuff arthropathy: shoulder arthritis following a long-standing, massive rotator cuff tear and its impact on function.
Distal Clavicle OsteolysisYou likely feel a sharp or aching pain at the very top of your shoulder, right where your collarbone meets your shoulder blade. This area is called the acromioclavicular joint. The discomfort often starts after you lift heavy objects, do push-ups, or perform overhead activities…
EnFix Biological ScaffoldIf we used a biological scaffold during your rotator cuff repair, you may
have seen the name EnFix on your paperwork and wondered what it is. This
page explains it in plain terms: what the scaffold is, the problem it is meant
to help with, and, just as importantly, what we do…
Frozen ShoulderFrozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) causes pain and stiffness, progressing through freezing, frozen, and thawing phases.
Os AcromialePatient-facing topic on os acromiale — failed fusion of an acromial ossification centre that may cause shoulder pain and contribute to subacromial impingement.
Pectoralis Major RuptureA chest-muscle tear, classically during a heavy bench press — how to recognise it and why complete tears are usually repaired early.
Proximal Humerus FractureProximal humerus fractures — Neer classification, sling management, and surgical options.
Rotator Cuff DisordersRotator cuff disorders: common causes of shoulder pain, ranging from mild ache to debilitating injury.
Shoulder ArthritisShoulder arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion — diagnosis and treatment options explored.
Shoulder Clicking, Popping and InstabilityWhy a shoulder clicks, pops or feels like it slips — from harmless noises to labral tears and instability — what it means, and when it needs attention.
Shoulder InstabilityShoulder instability — understanding the feeling of looseness, causes, and treatment options.
SLAP and Biceps PathologySuperior labral (SLAP) tears and disorders of the long head of biceps — assessment and treatment.
Sternoclavicular Joint DisordersProblems where the collarbone meets the breastbone — arthritis, instability and the rare but serious posterior dislocation — and how each is managed.
Subacromial Impingement and BursitisSubacromial impingement — causes of shoulder pain with overhead activity, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Suprascapular neuropathySuprascapular neuropathy affects the nerve that runs along the back of your shoulder blade. In young, active people, this condition usually shows up as one of two main problems: pain or weakness. You might feel a deep ache in the back of your shoulder or along the shoulder…
Thoracic Outlet SyndromeCompression of the nerves and vessels at the base of the neck — the types, why diagnosis is tricky, and physio-first treatment.
Operations
AC Joint StabilisationSurgical reconstruction for high-grade AC joint dislocation (Rockwood III-VI).
Anterior Shoulder StabilisationArthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability — distinct from open Latarjet.
Biceps TenodesisBiceps tenodesis and tenotomy — when, where (suprapectoral vs subpectoral) and what to expect afterwards.
Capsular Release for Frozen ShoulderArthroscopic capsular release frees a stiff shoulder (frozen shoulder) when physiotherapy and injections fail.
Clavicle Fracture FixationClavicle fixation (ORIF) — restoring alignment and stability for displaced clavicle fractures.
Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management (CAM)The Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management (CAM) procedure — a joint-preserving arthroscopic alternative to arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis, combining debridement, capsular release, osteophyte excision, microfracture, loose-body removal and axillary nerve neurolysis.
Distal Clavicle Excision (Mumford Procedure)A Mumford procedure (distal clavicle excision) removes the small worn outer tip of the collarbone to ease shoulder pain at the AC joint. What the keyhole operation involves and what recovery looks like.
Latarjet ProcedureLatarjet procedure — bone block transfer for recurrent shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss.
Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF (Plate and Nail Fixation)This page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. We reach patients via GP or physiotherapist referral. A clinic assessment establishes the diagnosis. For acute structural problems, we may…
Reverse Shoulder ArthroplastyReverse shoulder replacement for severe rotator cuff tears and arthritis—when a traditional replacement isn’t ideal.
Revision rotator cuff repairThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. You reach our clinic by GP or physiotherapist referral. We use a clinic assessment to establish the diagnosis. For long-standing problems, we…
Revision Shoulder ReplacementRevision shoulder replacement — addressing failure of prior shoulder replacements with a reverse design.- Rotator Cuff RepairRotator cuff repair reattaches torn tendons to bone, improving pain and function when conservative treatment fails.
Shoulder Arthroplasty for Acute Proximal Humerus FractureThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. You reach our clinic by GP or physiotherapist referral. A clinic assessment establishes the diagnosis. For acute fractures, surgery may be…
Shoulder ArthroscopyWhat shoulder arthroscopy is, what it's used for, and how to prepare and recover.
Subacromial DecompressionArthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement and bursitis — operation and recovery.
Suprascapular nerve decompressionThis page reflects how Dr Kieran Hirpara, an upper-limb surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, approaches this in our clinic. You reach our clinic by GP or physiotherapist referral. A clinic assessment establishes the diagnosis. We usually try non-operative care first —…
Total Shoulder ArthroplastyTotal shoulder replacement for severe arthritis — stemless options if rotator cuff is intact.
