Body region
Understanding your shoulder and finding the right starting point for assessment
Putting on your jacket now takes care, reaching the top kitchen cupboard has become a challenge, or your usual swimming stroke no longer feels right. Shoulder problems can raise very different questions. Would you first like to understand what might be causing your pain? Do you already have findings from an examination? Or are you looking for a way to become reliably active again?
Open individual sections or all the details on this page.
Understanding
A closer look
This overview guides you to information that matches your situation. At OrthoCoast, our orthopaedic practice in Wolgast, we discuss your shoulder symptoms with you, starting with what you notice and what you would like to be able to do again in everyday life.
You have pain and do not yet know the cause
Pain when raising your arm, symptoms at rest and restricted movement can have different causes. The location of the pain alone is not enough to make a diagnosis. Before your appointment, you therefore do not need to identify the affected tendon or decide for yourself which examination is necessary.
On our “Shoulder pain” page, we explain which observations help with assessment, when a prompt examination is important and how we use our discussion and examination to identify the next step. This is also a suitable starting point if you find your shoulder problems difficult to describe. Tell us, for example, which movement you can no longer manage, when this started and whether you wake during the night.
Your report mentions calcific tendinitis of the shoulder
A familiar term can help you find your bearings while also raising new questions. When a report mentions calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, many people want to know what the calcium deposits mean for their symptoms, whether treatment is necessary and what options are available. Our “Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder” page focuses on this diagnosis and how to interpret it.
Please bring any existing report and, if possible, the corresponding images. We want to consider the findings alongside your symptoms and examination. A sentence in a radiology report does not tell us which treatment suits your individual situation. The same applies to other shoulder findings, even if we do not yet have a dedicated description of them here.
Further information
You want to improve what you can do
For some people, returning to tennis or weight training is the priority. Others want to garden or carry a bag again without having to think through every movement first. Feel free to be specific about your goal. It helps us understand the demands your shoulder will need to cope with again.
In “Tendons and sports orthopaedics”, we describe how we consider symptoms, physical demands and the gradual build-up of training together. You do not need to be a competitive athlete. Returning after a longer break, or finding ways to stay active despite symptoms, also belongs in this discussion.
Information about examinations that may help you
If imaging appears useful after your examination, we will explain the question it is intended to answer. You can learn more about the procedures on the “Ultrasound” and “X-ray” pages. Ultrasound and X-rays provide different views; neither is necessary simply because your shoulder hurts.
If an MRI or CT scan is needed, we arrange it externally. Existing images can be included in the assessment. Please do not arrange new imaging simply because you would like to book a first appointment with us.
When you should not wait for a routine appointment
After an accident involving severe pain, an obvious deformity or a considerable loss of movement, urgent medical assessment is necessary. New changes in sensation or a painful, hot swelling with fever also require prompt examination. If shoulder or arm pain occurs together with chest pressure, breathlessness or circulatory problems, call 112. In an emergency, do not wait for an online booking or a reply from the practice.
What to expect and next steps
Your next step at OrthoCoast
Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling and Björn Weidemann are our main contacts for orthopaedic assessment. We will clarify which care is suitable for you when arranging your appointment.
“Appointments & enquiries” provides your starting point for contacting us. Tell us about your shoulder symptoms, how long you have had them and any existing diagnosis. If the digital route does not work for you or does not cover your enquiry, please contact us by telephone to arrange the next step. We plan an agreed treatment appointment on the basis of the medical recommendation already discussed with you at a previous consultation.
Our doctors in this specialty
Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil.Richard Kasch
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
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Dr. med.Christoph Jährling
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
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Björn Weidemann
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
View profileThese doctors look after joint and movement problems at our practice. Together, we discuss which questions and goals matter most to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which page should I start with if I do not yet have a diagnosis?
Start with “Shoulder pain”. This page looks at assessing your symptoms. For your appointment, your own description is enough to begin with; you do not need to diagnose yourself.
Can I come with shoulder findings from another provider?
Existing findings are helpful for assessment. Please bring the report and access to the images via QR code or on an imaging CD. We will discuss whether further examinations could add anything significant in your situation.
Is sports orthopaedics also useful for older people?
What matters is your question about movement and what you can manage, not your age or a particular level of performance. Tell us which activity you would like to continue or take up again.
Your next step
