Education · shoulder
Shoulder
Last reviewed
Shoulder conditions and the operations that treat them, grouped by theme — each diagnosis sits beside its treatment so you can read the two together. Start with the group that matches the name you have been given, or the one that sounds like your symptoms.
Understanding your shoulder
Rotator cuff & impingement
Rotator Cuff DisordersRotator cuff disorders: common causes of shoulder pain, ranging from mild ache to debilitating injury.
Subacromial Impingement and BursitisSubacromial impingement — causes of shoulder pain with overhead activity, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Calcific TendinitisCalcific tendinitis causes shoulder pain from calcium deposits; treatment ranges from observation to washing out the calcium.
Cuff ArthropathyRotator cuff arthropathy: shoulder arthritis following a long-standing, massive rotator cuff tear and its impact on function.
Os AcromialePatient-facing topic on os acromiale — failed fusion of an acromial ossification centre that may cause shoulder pain and contribute to subacromial impingement.
Rotator Cuff RepairRotator cuff repair reattaches torn tendons to bone, improving pain and function when conservative treatment fails.- Revision rotator cuff repair
Subacromial DecompressionArthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement and bursitis — operation and recovery.
Suture Anchors and How Repairs Are Held to Bone
EnFix Biological Scaffold
Instability, labrum & biceps
Shoulder InstabilityShoulder instability — understanding the feeling of looseness, causes, and treatment options.
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.
SLAP and Biceps PathologySuperior labral (SLAP) tears and disorders of the long head of biceps — assessment and treatment.
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.
Anterior Shoulder StabilisationArthroscopic Bankart repair for anterior shoulder instability — distinct from open Latarjet.
Posterior Shoulder Stabilisation
Latarjet ProcedureLatarjet procedure — bone block transfer for recurrent shoulder instability with glenoid bone loss.
Biceps TenodesisBiceps tenodesis and tenotomy — when, where (suprapectoral vs subpectoral) and what to expect afterwards.
Arthritis & shoulder replacement
Shoulder ArthritisShoulder arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion — diagnosis and treatment options explored.
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.
Total Shoulder ArthroplastyTotal shoulder replacement for severe arthritis — stemless options if rotator cuff is intact.
Reverse Shoulder ArthroplastyReverse shoulder replacement for severe rotator cuff tears and arthritis—when a traditional replacement isn’t ideal.
Revision Shoulder ReplacementRevision shoulder replacement — addressing failure of prior shoulder replacements with a reverse design.
Fractures & trauma
Clavicle FractureClavicle fractures — when conservative management is fine and when fixation is indicated.
Proximal Humerus FractureProximal humerus fractures — Neer classification, sling management, and surgical options.
Pectoralis Major RuptureA chest-muscle tear, classically during a heavy bench press — how to recognise it and why complete tears are usually repaired early.
Pectoralis Major Repair
Clavicle Fracture FixationClavicle fixation (ORIF) — restoring alignment and stability for displaced clavicle fractures.
Proximal Humerus Fracture ORIF (Plate and Nail Fixation)
Shoulder Arthroplasty for Acute Proximal Humerus Fracture
Collarbone & AC joint
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.
AC Joint OsteoarthritisAC joint osteoarthritis causes localized shoulder pain with cross-body movements; treatment ranges from activity modification to surgery.
Distal Clavicle Osteolysis
Sternoclavicular Joint DisordersProblems where the collarbone meets the breastbone — arthritis, instability and the rare but serious posterior dislocation — and how each is managed.
AC Joint StabilisationSurgical reconstruction for high-grade AC joint dislocation (Rockwood III-VI).
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.
