One in three people will experience shoulder pain at some time in their lives, and for many, this disabling condition can remain unresolved for a number of years, leading to significnat sick leave and healthcare costs.  A seminar at the University of Limerick on Friday April 5th, attended by over 120 physiotherapists, heard leading experts discuss the currrent research evidence regarding the management of Rotator cuff disorders, the commonest cause of shoulder pain in adults.

Dr Jeremy Lewis, a highly regarded expert in shoulder research and clinical practice, discussed the challenges in diagnosising shoulder tendon problems and proposed an evidence based rehabilitation programme which has been successful in alleviating shoulder pain and disabilty and reducing the need for surgical interventions. Mr Ross Kingston, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee, discussed advances in surgery for people with tears of the rotator cuff, while Eoin O'Conaire (Evidence-based Therapy Centre, Galway) presented the state of the art with regard to the use of injections for managing painful shoulder conditions.

A new Community of Practice for Physiotherapists was launched, which aims to facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise between practitioners managing people with shoulder pain.  “Shoulder pain is a very common and debilitating condition for many people, and can often be quite challenging for physiotherapists to treat. This seminar and Community of Practice will provide a forum for therapists to interact and share their knowledge, as well as to develop innovative ways of managing this costly healthcare problem” says Karen McCreesh, (Dept of Clinical Therapies, UL) leader of the Community of Practice project, which is funded under a Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination Scheme from the Health Research Board.