Technology helps our diagnosis
At Melbourne Shoulder Physiotherapy, technology helps our diagnosis. We use real-time ultrasound to visualise what is happening inside your shoulder. Ultrasound can determine if the rotator cuff is torn, or whether there is tendinopathy causing the pain. It can inform us of a distended subacromial bursa, which occurs with inflammatory bursitis.Ultrasound takes the guess work out of our assessments and provides greater confidence in our diagnoses.
However, ultrasound should not be used in isolation. At Melbourne Shoulder Physiotherapy, we are looking for harmony between the story that the patient tells, the physical examination and the ultrasound results. All three elements of the examination need to be consistent.
Testing the strength of the shoulder muscles is a critical element of shoulder assessment.To ensure that we have accurate and reliable results from our strength testing, we use dynamometry. This utilises a portable, hand held device and provides accurate results for the strength of various shoulder movements. Again, it takes the guess work out of assessment and allows for meaningful evaluation of the patient’s progress in rehabilitation.
We have developed a reliable protocol for strength testing at Melbourne Shoulder Physiotherapy. Through a long period of strength testing around the shoulder, we have developed expected readings for different “healthy” populations. This allows us to better understand your strength readings and establish realistic goals for your recovery.
Dr. Phillip Hughes