Physiotherapy of the shoulder complex

In this chapter I have attempted to give a broad overview of the types of shoulder problems commonly seen in a physiotherapy department, and the modalities used in their treatment. As previously stated, much of the symptomatology in these various conditions overlaps, so, as always, meticulous medical history and thorough initial physical examination are vital for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Physiotherapists play an important role in the treatment of many problems of the shoulder complex, but although clinically improvement is often apparent, further studies are clearly needed to confirm the relative merits of different treatments when applied to a variety of shoulder conditions.