Shoulder surgery

Our orthopaedic team treats a wide range of shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, arthritis and recurrent dislocations. Many of these conditions can be managed with physiotherapy, medication, or targeted injections.

Surgery is considered only when necessary. When required, treatment may involve minimally invasive keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery or, for more advanced joint damage, shoulder replacement. Your orthopaedic team will explain the options and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

What is shoulder surgery?

Shoulder surgery is a specialised area of orthopaedics that treats conditions affecting the shoulder joint and surrounding tendons and ligaments. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which also makes it vulnerable to injury and wear.

Surgery may be used to treat rotator cuff tears, instability, arthritis and other conditions when physiotherapy, medication or injections are not enough. Depending on the problem, surgery may involve minimally invasive keyhole (arthroscopic) techniques or shoulder replacement.

When should you see a shoulder surgeon?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Shoulder pain that does not settle or keeps coming back
• Stiffness that limits everyday movements like dressing or reaching overhead
• Weakness when you lift or rotate your arm
• A shoulder that slips, catches or feels like it might give way
• Pain that wakes you at night or stops you lying on that side
• A grinding or clicking sensation when you lift the arm

If your shoulder looks out of place, or you cannot move your arm after an injury, go to your nearest emergency department.

You do not have to wait for pain to become severe. If a shoulder problem is affecting your work, your sleep or your training, an assessment will show whether it needs treatment and which kind. The same goes for an old injury that never fully recovered.

What to expect

At your first visit, the surgeon will ask about your symptoms and how the problem started. They will then examine how far your shoulder moves, where it hurts and how it compares with the other side. Imaging usually follows. An X-ray can show the bones, arthritis and calcium deposits in the tendons, while an ultrasound or MRI can show soft tissues such as the rotator cuff, labrum and biceps tendon.

Most people start with physiotherapy to rebuild strength and movement, sometimes with a steroid injection to help manage pain. If this does not help, keyhole surgery may be used to repair a torn rotator cuff or stabilise an unstable joint. A badly worn joint may need to be replaced. Your surgeon will explain the treatment options, including the benefits and risks, and recommend the most appropriate approach for you.

Shoulder surgery at Mediclinic

Our orthopaedic teams treat common shoulder problems, from rotator cuff tears to arthritis. Keyhole surgery can repair conditions where appropriate, while a joint that is too worn to repair may be replaced. Physiotherapy and pain-relieving injections are also part of the service, providing a range of treatment options depending on your condition.