Why now?
With the New Year comes the refresh of annual private health insurance benefits. That means if you have extras cover, your yearly allowance has reset—allowing you to access our Shoulder Therapy Servicewith reduced out-of-pocket costs.
In addition to this, shoulder conditions can often come under medicare charges. This program is called Chronic Disease Management (CPM) plan and can be set up by your GP allowing you to claim a significant amount of five therapy sessions per year, under medicare.
Many people wait until pain becomes severe, but early assessment and targeted therapy can make a real difference to recovery, movement, and long-term shoulder health.
Our Shoulder Therapy Service
Our dedicated shoulder therapy focuses on:
Each program is tailored to you, your goals, and your lifestyle—whether that’s returning to sport, staying active at work, or simply moving comfortably without pain. At MST we also have direct access to some of Melbourne’s leading Shoulder Surgeon’s. This does not mean surgery is required, but having a direct referral pathway can be helpful in accessing specialist advice or further investigations, such as imaging, if appropriate.
Our experienced shoulder therapists are lead by, Dr Phillip Hughes. Phillip has a Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy and a master’s degree in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, as well as a Professional Doctorate, where he researched shoulder rotator cuff conditions. Phillip leads the team with Yonali Alexander and Monica Soliman, who have both completed advanced training in shoulder assessment and treatment.
We look forward to assessing you and establishing the best plan.
The most significant tendon injuries for the shoulder involve the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff injuries are among the most common causes of shoulder pain seen in clinical practice. They affect a wide spectrum of individuals, from young athletes to older adults with degenerative changes, and can significantly impair daily function and quality of life. Understanding how these injuries occur and how they are properly assessed is essential for timely diagnosis and effective treatment.
Understanding the Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a functional unit composed of three muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint:
Supraspinatus
Infraspinatus
Subscapularis
Together, these structures stabilise the shoulder and allow controlled movement, particularly overhead activity and rotation. Because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, it relies heavily on the integrity of the rotator cuff for both strength and stability.
Mechanisms of Rotator Cuff Injury
From a clinical standpoint, rotator cuff injuries generally fall into two broad categories:
1. Acute Traumatic Injuries
These occur due to a sudden force, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm, lifting a heavy object, or a shoulder dislocation. In younger patients, trauma is a more common cause of full-thickness tears.
2. Degenerative Injuries
In older adults, rotator cuff damage often develops gradually. Repetitive overhead use and age-related tissue degeneration contribute to partial or full-thickness tears over time. Often there is no tear and the pain is due to tendon damage. We call this tendinopathy.
It is important to note that symptom severity does not always correlate with the size of the tear; some patients with large tears may report minimal pain, while others with small tears experience significant discomfort.
Clinical Assessment: A Specialist Approach
Accurate assessment begins with a thorough clinical evaluation, which remains the cornerstone of diagnosis.
1. Detailed History
As specialists, we focus on:
These details often provide the first clues to the underlying pathology.
2. Physical Examination
A structured shoulder examination includes:
Inspection: Muscle wasting, posture, or asymmetry
Palpation: Localised tenderness over the greater tuberosity or subacromial space
Range of Motion: Active and passive movements to assess stiffness versus weakness
Strength Testing: Isolating individual rotator cuff muscles
Special Tests
Loss of strength with preserved passive movement is particularly suggestive of a rotator cuff tear.
3. Imaging Studies
Imaging is used to confirm the clinical suspicion and assess severity.
We can use ultrasound to assist our assessment and to ensure our examination is consistent with our ultrasound vision.
Final Thoughts from a Specialist
Rotator cuff injuries are complex and multifactorial. A careful, methodical assessment remains the most reliable way to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. While modern imaging has greatly enhanced our diagnostic capabilities, it should complement, not replace, expert clinical evaluation.
Patients experiencing persistent shoulder pain or weakness should seek assessment from a physiotherapist who is expert in this. Early intervention, guided by a specialist approach, can significantly reduce pain, restore function, and prevent long-term disability.
Great news!
Most private health insurers reset their annual limits on January 1st, which means you’re starting the year with a fresh allocation of benefits. If you’ve been putting off that appointment or thinking about addressing any niggles or discomfort, now is the perfect time to book in and make the most of your cover.
We look forward to seeing you in the clinic soon!
Morgan Klooger is a dedicated hand therapist at Melbourne Hand Therapy, holding a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from Monash University. She brings clinical experience from both hospital and private practice settings, and is committed to ongoing professional development toward accreditation with the Australian Hand Therapy Association. Morgan specialises in patient-centred care for a wide range of hand and upper limb conditions, with interests in sporting injuries and conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. She is passionate about helping patients return to the activities they love with personalised rehabilitation plans.
“This year Morgan helped me through a long and tedious recovery from a work injury and was extremely caring and personable through every step of the way.”
Have you experienced exceptional care or teamwork from someone at MHT? We’d love to hear about it.
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