Physical assessment and management of shoulder problems and sports injuries

This comprehensive course is divided into six units that guide participants through all aspects of shoulder care:

Unit 1: Introduction to Shoulder Assessment and Management
Understand the importance of shoulder mobility, the impact of common injuries, and the role of a biopsychosocial approach in patient care. Gain foundational knowledge of shoulder anatomy and the interplay of joints, muscles, and nerves in shoulder function and pain.

Unit 2: Assessment of Shoulder Pain
Learn to perform thorough assessments for shoulder pain. Topics include identifying referred pain from the cervical spine, ruling out sinister pathologies, and employing a combination of subjective evaluations and targeted physical examinations to form accurate diagnoses.

Unit 3: Assessment of Common Shoulder Conditions
Delve into common shoulder conditions such as subacromial pain syndrome, rotator cuff tears, AC joint injuries, and SLAP lesions. This unit emphasises clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and understanding the complexities of these conditions for accurate assessment.

Unit 4: Management of Shoulder Pain
Explore the principles of conservative management, including patient education, rehabilitation exercises, and lifestyle modifications. Learn about the role of corticosteroid injections and when to refer patients to physiotherapists or orthopaedic surgeons.

Unit 5: Management of Common Shoulder Conditions
This unit provides in-depth management strategies for specific conditions. Topics include distinguishing between traumatic and atraumatic injuries, the role of surgery versus conservative care, and crafting individualised rehabilitation plans for optimising recovery.

Unit 6: Prevention of Shoulder Injuries
Focus on strategies to prevent overuse injuries in athletes and active individuals. Learn about the role of strength testing, training volume management, and technique adjustments in reducing injury risk. This unit also highlights the importance of holistic care, considering psychological and social factors in injury prevention.

This course equips practitioners with the knowledge and skills to assess, manage, and prevent shoulder problems effectively, ensuring patients achieve the best possible outcomes.