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Rotator cuff problems are a common cause of shoulder pain, especially when lifting the arm. We scan the shoulder to see what’s going on, then build a plan around exercise, with injections or shockwave if needed.
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint steady and help lift and turn the arm. With age, overuse or injury, the tendons can become irritated (tendinopathy), or partly or fully torn.
Rotator cuff pain is common from middle age onwards, and often linked to bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sac over the tendons).
Symptoms
Symptoms of rotator cuff problems
Pain lifting the arm
Pain at the top or side of the shoulder when raising the arm, especially between waist and shoulder height.
Night pain
Pain when lying on the affected side.
Weakness
The arm feels weak when lifting or reaching.
Clicking or catching
A painful catch or click with certain movements.
Sudden weakness after a fall or injury, with difficulty lifting the arm, should be assessed promptly, as a significant tear may need a surgical opinion.
Treatment options
Treatment for rotator cuff problems
Ultrasound scan
From £120
An ultrasound scan to look at the tendons and bursa, and check for tears.
Steroid injection
£250
An ultrasound-guided steroid injection into the bursa to ease pain so you can do your exercises.
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Keep using the arm for everyday tasks below shoulder height, and avoid repeated overhead lifting while it’s painful.
Follow your exercise programme regularly; strengthening the shoulder is the most important part of recovery.
Simple painkillers can help. Ask a pharmacist which are right for you.
Your clinicians
Meet the team
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Dr Gabriel Azzini
Doctor, Sport & Exercise Medicine
GMC 7689922
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Cortisone injection★★★★★
I recently had an ultrasound guided cortisone injection with Gary… Gary took the time to explain everything clearly before the procedure which really put me at ease, not easy when you’re not a fan of needles! The process itself was essentially pain free.
James T. · 2026 · Google review
Frozen shoulder★★★★★
Gary helped me with my frozen shoulder. He was very thorough, professional and informative. I was given a cortisone injection, which he talked me through. During the procedure he was calming and efficient.
Annette P. · 2026 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Severe plantar fasciitis. Had several sessions with Gary, shockwave therapy. Really has settled down well. Gary provides calm reassurance coupled with great knowledge and expertise in the field.
Graham C. · 2026 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
Gary is very knowledgeable and has given me lots of great advice and the treatment has been great! My pain levels are much better… Booking was easy using the online system and Gary has been very helpful and friendly.
Emily C. · 2023 · Google review
Plantar fasciitis★★★★★
I’ve just had my 6th treatment for plantar fasciitis and I am very happy with the reduction in pain so far. Gary has been so informative and invested in my healing process.
Olivia M. · 2025 · Google review
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
Gary was a great help, in particular his recommendations on using the balance pad to strengthen surrounding tendons… It took a long time to notice any major improvement… Give it a go, but please don’t expect it to work quickly and solve everything.
Max E. · 2026 · Google review
Achilles tendinopathy★★★★★
After an initial consultation with Gary for achilles tendonitis, an ultrasound scan followed by shockwave treatment, I then had weekly sessions over a period of 2 months… The shockwave results weren’t instantaneous and the pain sometimes fluctuated.
Mel R. · 2025 · Google review
Calcific tendonitis★★★★★
Attended Gary at the Vale Health Clinic for chronic shoulder calcific tendinopathy… Gary was informative, without being condescending, and explaining everything he was doing and why, as well as being personable and chatty!
An ultrasound scan helps us see the tendons and check for tears, so we often suggest one.
Will an injection fix my rotator cuff?
Injections can ease pain, but they don’t repair the tendon. Research shows their benefit is usually short-term [1], so we always combine them with exercise.
Will I need surgery?
Most rotator cuff problems improve without surgery. A surgical opinion may be needed for some tears, especially after an injury.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet 2010;376(9754):1751–1767. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61160-9
Written by Gary Edwards, Injection Therapist (PG Cert Injection Therapy) and Chiropractor (GCC 03996). Last updated 15 October 2026.
