Physiotherapists in Penarth treat many different conditions including the issues profiled below.

Total Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder replacement is less commonly performed than replacement of the hip or knee but remains a very useful treatment for a variety of shoulder conditions. Osteoarthritis is much less common in the shoulder than in the knee or hip so replacement is more frequently performed for arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and for painful conditions secondary to trauma such as fractures or rotator cuff dysfunction. Replacing the shoulder is a different matter from the main weight bearing joints of the lower limbs which can be thought of as .hard tissue joints.

The shoulder is more of a .soft tissue joint. in that the orientation and sufficiency of the soft tissues are what allows the joint to function properly. Typically the socket is replaced by a plastic socket component and the humeral head by a metal component which has a stem down the humeral shaft. The correct positioning of the humeral head in relation to the soft tissues such as the rotator cuff tendons is vital as if this is not correct then the joint surfaces may be fine but the shoulder will not function correctly. Patients are routinely referred to physiotherapy, initially for range of motion and later for strengthening and functional work.

The Acromioclavicular Joint

Just above the shoulder joint proper lies a small joint between the acromion part of the scapula and the outward end of the collar bone or clavicle, the acromioclavicular joint. It is usually not troublesome and functions like the suspension strut in a car, keeping the moving parts away from the centre of the body. For the arm to able to exert power the shoulder girdle has got to stay where it is when the strength is applied and the clavicle does this by bracing the chest and shoulder apart, forming joints at the chest end and at the shoulder end.

This is a butt joint linked by strong ligaments and is meant to transmit force and not to move significantly. Acromioclavicular joint injuries are typically sustained by falling directly on the shoulder or other part of the arm, forcing the acromion upwards against the stabilised clavicle. This disrupts the joint and is immediately acutely painful with the patient avoiding anything to do with pushing anything. Minor injuries give pain and heal well, whilst more major injuries can cause a deformity as the two parts of the joint no longer sit next to each other. This gives a non functioning joint which can be a chronic problem.