Shoulder Urgent Injury Clinic FAQ 

Orthopaedic injuries can be sudden and acute as a result of a car accident, worker injury or fall or as a result of sporting injury or complications from a previous surgery. 

Here are some of the common injuries we see every week in the urgent clinic include.

• Fractures (shoulder, elbow, knee, hand)
• Dislocations 
• Tendon Ruptures 
• Infection 
• Swelling or inflammation  
• SLAP lesions (severe pain from overhead throwing) 

Shoulder injuries commonly occur as an overuse problem during throwing sports such as baseball and swimming or as a direct impact injury during a fall in collision sports such as rugby. 

During these matches, acute first aid treatment is usually performed by onsite physiotherapists or by a nearby hospital emergency department or a GP.

Shoulder injuries are usually splinted using a sling and it is important to reduce swelling with ice and elevation where possible.

Once shoulder imaging has been performed definitive treatment can be decided on and the sooner the better. 

The treatment may be non-surgical or surgical depending on Dr Herald’s assessment of your acute shoulder injury.

If you have for example, a SLAP lesion, it’s important to get a comprehensive assessment as these are often difficult to diagnose. 

So if you have symptoms with throwing and all previous tests are normal you may require an MR Arthrogram to diagnose the problem.

In some cases acute orthopaedic trauma requires an ambulance and the patient should go to the ER right away if there has been:   

• A loss of consciousness or blackout, dizziness or knock to the head  
• A compound fracture that breaks through the skin 
• A continuous bleed from a deep cut.

If in doubt, call us. 

• Generally speaking any patient in severe pain who has been told by their GP to seek immediate orthopaedic care can come to the urgent clinic.
• We also reserve spots for workers who have been injured.

• Do I have risk factors that would make a surgery less effective?
• Will I have a brace?
• How much work will I miss? 
• When can I drive? 
• When can I lift heavy objects, shopping or grandchildren? 
• When can I start bending my knee and crossing my legs? 
• Will I get arthritis?
• When will I be able to put weight on my leg?
• I have private health insurance. What is your no gap replacement program for shoulder and knee surgery.
• How long should I continue anti-inflammatories and pain medicine for? 
• How long should I do physiotherapy for? 
• When is my next follow-up with you?

• To avoid waits of over a year in the public system, Dr Herald now offers self-funded knee surgery in the private system see payment options here. 
• For patients who have private health insurance with HCF, Bupa, Medibank Private, Westfund on DefenceHealth, Dr Herald offers a no gap joint replacement fee (shoulder and knee) service for his fee for patients who have their surgery at East Sydney Private Hospital. 

This also includes no gap fee for the anaesthetist and physiotherapy performed in your home. Find out the short stay no gap program at East Sydney Private Hospital here.  

• Vitamin C helps boost immunity, (think oranges and strawberries) 
• Calcium is a crucial building block for strong bones (milk, yoghurt and cheese) 
• Vitamin D helps us absorb calcium (think fatty fish, tuna, eggs and cheese)
  The combination of zinc, protein and Vitamin C helps wounds heal faster.
• Meat, dark poultry and oysters suffice for zinc.
• Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory effect after a procedure – (think salmon and tuna). 
• After your procedure medications can slow bowels down – (think fibre foods such as oats and wholegrain breads).

• It is important to follow Dr Herald’s advice on pain medications as not taking pain medications can slow the pace of recovery (pain meds reduce inflammation). 
• Remember not to drive until you are no longer on any pain medication. 

Dr Herald will give you post-up protocol to follow. This can be found here.