Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Pain Treatment in Frankston
Peninsula Physio & Rehab
Common Conditions We Treat
Shoulder Conditions
- Rotator Cuff Injuries (Tears & Tendinopathy): Damage or irritation to the group of tendons that provide stability and movement to the shoulder.
- Shoulder Impingement (Subacromial Pain Syndrome): The pinching of tendons or the bursa in your shoulder when you lift your arm.
- Biceps Tendinopathy: Inflammation or irritation of the long head of the biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): Significant stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint that severely limits movement through its distinct phases.
- Shoulder Instability & Dislocation: When the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, often leading to a feeling of looseness or apprehension.
- SLAP Tears (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior): Injury to the cartilage ring (labrum) that surrounds the shoulder socket, often caused by trauma or repetitive overhead movements.
- AC Joint Sprains & Injuries: Damage to the joint and ligaments connecting your collarbone (clavicle) to your shoulder blade (acromion).
- Shoulder Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and soft tissues in the shoulder joint.
- Scapular Dyskinesis: Abnormal movement, positioning, or function of the shoulder blade, which can be a key contributor to various shoulder pain conditions.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of the nerves or blood vessels that pass through the area between your neck and shoulder, causing pain, numbness, or tingling down the arm.
- Referred Pain: Pain felt in the shoulder region that originates from another area, most commonly the neck (cervical spine).
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Guided recovery following procedures such as rotator cuff repairs, stabilisations, acromioplasty, or shoulder replacements.
Elbow Conditions
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Pain on the outside of the elbow from overuse of the forearm extensor muscles.
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Pain on the inner side of the elbow, caused by irritation of the muscles used to grip and flex the wrist.
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve (the “funny bone” nerve) as it passes along the inside of the elbow.
- Olecranon Bursitis: Swelling and inflammation of the bursa at the pointy tip of the elbow, sometimes called “student’s elbow.”
- Distal Biceps or Triceps Tendinopathy/Rupture: Injury, inflammation, or tearing of the main tendons at the front or back of the elbow joint.
- Elbow Sprains & Instability: Damage to the ligaments on the inside or outside of the elbow joint, often from a fall or sudden twisting motion.
Wrist & Hand Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Painful inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist, aggravated by gripping and twisting.
- Wrist Sprains & Ligament Injuries: Stretching or tearing of the complex network of ligaments that connect the bones of the wrist.
- TFCC Injuries (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex): Damage to the key stabilising structure on the small-finger side of the wrist, often causing a clicking sound and pain with rotation.
- Wrist Tendinopathy/Tendonitis: General irritation or inflammation of any of the tendons that cross the wrist joint from the forearm into the hand.
- Trigger Finger/Thumb: A condition where a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position before snapping straight, caused by inflammation of the tendon sheath.
- Fracture Rehabilitation: A structured exercise program to restore movement, strength, and function after a wrist or hand fracture (e.g., scaphoid, distal radius) has healed.
- Arthritis Management (Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid): Physiotherapy focused on managing pain, improving joint mobility, and maintaining hand strength and function.
Peninsula Physio & Rehab
Our Approach to Treatment
No matter the diagnosis, your recovery journey at Peninsula Physio and Rehab starts with a thorough assessment to identify the root cause of your issue. From there, we develop a personalised management plan that empowers you to take control of your recovery.
Your treatment may include a combination of the following evidence-based techniques:
Personalised Exercise Prescription
This is the cornerstone of effective rehabilitation. We will design a specific and progressive program for you that aims to improve strength, restore mobility and flexibility, and enhance the stability of the affected joints and surrounding muscles.
Hands-On Manual Therapy
To help reduce pain and improve movement, our physiotherapists use skilled hands-on techniques. This can include soft tissue massage to release muscle tension, joint mobilisations to restore normal joint mechanics, and other targeted therapies to facilitate healing.
Load Management & Activity Modification
We help you understand which activities are aggravating your condition and provide practical strategies to modify them. This crucial step allows irritated tissues to heal while keeping you as active as possible, avoiding unnecessary deconditioning.
Postural and Biomechanical Correction
We will analyse how you move and identify any patterns or postural habits that may be contributing to your pain. By correcting these underlying biomechanical issues, we can help reduce strain on your joints and prevent the problem from recurring.
Supportive Taping and Bracing
In some cases, we may use rigid or kinesiology taping to help offload sensitive structures, support injured tissues, or improve your awareness of a joint's position. We can also provide professional guidance on the appropriate use of braces or splints to manage symptoms during specific activities.
Education and Self-Management Strategies
We believe that empowering you with knowledge about your condition is key to long-term success. We will ensure you understand your diagnosis, the factors contributing to it, and what you can do at home and work to manage your symptoms and prevent future issues.
Start Your Journey to Better Movement on the Peninsula
Don’t let shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain hold you back any longer. The experienced team at Peninsula Physio and Rehab is here to provide comprehensive care for your upper limb injury. We are committed to helping the Frankston community move better and feel better. Take the first step towards a solution by booking your initial assessment with us today.