Blogs

Elbow Sports Injuries in Adelaide: What You Should Know About Diagnosis & Treatment

Elbow pain can significantly impact your ability to work, train, and participate in sports. Whether you are a competitive athlete or enjoy weekend tennis or cricket, persistent stiffness, aching, or sharp pain should not be ignored. As an experienced elbow specialist in Adelaide, Dr James McLean treats a broad range of upper limb conditions, including […]

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Understanding Rotator Cuff Tears: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Shoulder pain can significantly affect your daily life, especially when it impacts your ability to lift, carry, or sleep comfortably. One of the most common causes of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint and enable arm movement. When

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Can Physiotherapy Help My Shoulder or Do I Need Surgery?

Shoulder pain can arise from a range of conditions, from mild tendonitis to complex rotator cuff tears and arthritis. Many patients wonder whether physiotherapy alone can resolve their symptoms or if they should consider seeing a Shoulder Surgeon in Adelaide, like Dr James McLean. This blog will help you understand when conservative management suffices and

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What to Expect After Shoulder Surgery: Recovery Timeline & Tips

Shoulder surgery can be a life-changing procedure for those suffering from chronic pain, fracture complications, or degenerative conditions. Whether you’ve undergone a shoulder arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, or a more extensive shoulder replacement, knowing what to expect during the recovery process helps set realistic goals and reduces anxiety. Below is an overview of typical timelines,

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Arthroscopic Surgery: Minimally Invasive Treatment for Shoulder and Elbow Conditions in Adelaide

When dealing with shoulder or elbow pain, understanding your treatment options can make a significant difference in your recovery and overall wellbeing. Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that has revolutionised the management of many shoulder and elbow conditions. If you’re seeking advanced surgical options in Adelaide, staying informed about arthroscopy could be the

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Achieving Pain Relief and Mobility in Upper Limb Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in various joints. While arthritis can affect any part of the body, when it targets the upper limbs—the shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist—it can significantly impact your daily life. Simple tasks like lifting, grasping, or even typing can become

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The Everyday Habits That Are Hurting Your Joints (And How to Fix Them)

Joint pain is often something we associate with age or injury, but in reality, our daily habits can quietly wear down our joints over time. Many of us unknowingly engage in activities that cause strain and discomfort, leading to long-term issues. The good news? Small adjustments to these everyday habits can make a significant difference

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Dr McLean begins consulting at Darwin Private Hospital in the Northern Territory

This month, James was excited to begin consulting at the Darwin Private Hospital for local Northern Territory patients. Having previously worked and trained at the Royal Darwin Hospital, James has been looking forward to visiting old friends and family in Darwin this month. Dr McLean will be consulting and operating in Darwin monthly; and brings

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Shoulder Surgery Conference – May 2017

Dr James McLean and several colleagues from Orthopaedics SA were in Sydney last weekend to attend the MEGA Shoulder conference in Sydney. This opportunity provided further insights into the management of orthopaedic shoulder conditions. The conference particularly focused on cutting edge shoulder techniques for best possible patient outcomes for common conditions such as Shoulder instability, Shoulder dislocations,

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Dr McLean publishes his research in esteemed international orthopaedic journal

This month, James was pleased to publish his research work on electronically collected data in a high-ranking, international, peer-reviewed orthopaedic journal. The work forms part of his PhD project and is aimed at improving the monitoring of patient outcomes after joint arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery). Dr McLean performs shoulder, elbow and hand joint replacement surgery

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Shoulder Dislocation Interview with Tim Bass

James caught up with Physiotherapist Tim Bass from myPhysioSA for a video interview about shoulder dislocations. Shoulder dislocations are frequently associated with high energy sports and activities, and once the shoulder is damaged, subsequent dislocations are highly likely.  Join Tim and James as they talk about when surgery is required and expected recovery times. Shoulder conditions are

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Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audit

This month, James attended the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Bi-Annual Clinical Audit. Regular audits help clinicians monitor their patient outcomes to ensure best practice and maintain an evidence-based approach. Dr McLean has authored several peer-reviewed papers on clinical outcomes and this forms an integral part of his practice. To learn more about

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Physiotherapy Education Event

This month, James was pleased to present a lecture to local physiotherapists on Upper Limb Shoulder Injuries including shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears and impingement syndrome. The presentation was well attended and was a great opportunity to discuss important trends in post-operative therapy. Orthopaedics SA regularly hosts education evenings for therapists at all levels of

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GP talk at OneCare Medical Centre

This month, James was pleased to visit OneCare Medical Centre giving a presentation to local General Practitioners on common and complex wrist disorders. The presentation covered current trends and best practice for the management of common conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome; De Quervain’s extensor tenosynovitis; and wrist arthritis. The presentation was well attended and

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James Visits Prominent Shoulder & Reconstructive Surgeon

This month, James visited Dr Edward Bateman, a prominent shoulder & reconstructive surgeon on the Central Coast, NSW. James spent 2 days operating with Dr Bateman and took the opportunity to discuss Dr Bateman’s research database and current research projects. Dr Bateman has recently published an innovative paper on reconstruction of massive glenoid defects in total

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James receives ethics approval to begin a SmartPhone application study for measuring upper limb range of motion

This month, James received ethics approval to start a new study looking at iPhone applications that are available for the assessment of range of motion (ROM). The practicality of their use in the clinical setting has not been established. This study aims to compare several methods of ROM testing that are commonly used in clinical

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James Visits the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore, United Kingdom)

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital receives tertiary referrals for complex orthopaedic problems from all around the United Kingdom. This month, James attended the Sedden Society Annual Meeting held at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. He also took the opportunity to meet with orthopaedic doctors at Stanmore to discuss their research and practices; and gain an

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James Operates with Dr Tomas Smith in Hannover, Germany

This month, James took the opportunity to visit Dr Tomas Smith, a prominent Shoulder Surgeon practicing in Hannover, Germany. Dr Smith is the Head of the Schulter-, Knie- und Sportorthopädie Unit Medizinische Hochschule – Hannover. This Clinic is a part of the Specialist Orthopaedic Clinic of Annastift and contributes to the excellent national reputation of the institution

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State-of-the-Art Arthroscopic Surgery Training Facility at the University of Cambridge

This month, James helped with demonstrating surgical approaches and techniques at a surgical workshop held at the Evelyn Cambridge Surgical Training Centre. Training days like this are rare and valuable opportunities for training orthopaedic surgeons to be taught new surgical skills in a supervised, controlled environment. The East Anglia Orthopaedic Training Programme conducts a few of

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“Tips & Tricks” Upper Limb Course at Wrightington Upper Limb Unit

Wrightington Hospital’s status as a Centre of Excellence in the treatment of musculo-skeletal disease has its origins in the seminal work of Professor Sir John Charnley, who pioneered joint replacement surgery and performed the very first hip replacement in the early 1960s. Wrightington’s reputation for excellence continues to attract highly-talented Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons from all over

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New Opportunity at Cambridge University NHS Trust Hospital

James is excited to be starting work at Addenbrookes Hospital, a Cambridge University NHS Trust Hospital. The Unit specialises in shoulder and elbow surgery and is a tertiary referral centre for complex orthopaedic problems. The team is regularly involved in teaching of orthopaedic surgical trainees and University of Cambridge medical students. Their research is regularly

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