As an orthopaedic surgeon on the Sunshine Coast, I’m often asked, “What do you actually do to help patients?”
In simple terms, I work with people who have problems with their bones, joints, and movement. That might mean pain, stiffness, injury, or difficulty doing everyday activities. My role is to assess what’s going on, explain it clearly, and work with you to find appropriate and evidence‑based treatment options.
My focus is not just on surgery. In many cases, non‑surgical treatment is the first and sometimes the best option. The approach depends on your condition, your health, and your goals.
How I Work With Patients
1. Listening to Your Story
Most people don’t seek an orthopaedic opinion because of an X‑ray result; they come because something in their day‑to‑day life is no longer working.
You might be:
- Limiting your daily activities or sports due to shoulder, elbow or wrist pain
- Finding stairs or hills more challenging
- Having trouble lifting your arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on your shoulder
- Recovering from a fracture, fall, or sports injury
Our first consultation is usually about understanding:
- Where your pain or problem is, and how it started
- What makes it better or worse
- What you’ve already tried (for example, physiotherapy, medications, activity changes)
- Other medical conditions or medications that might influence treatment
- The activities that are most important for you to maintain or return to
This helps tailor advice and treatment options to you as an individual rather than applying a standard approach to everyone.
2. Assessment and Diagnosis
Appropriate treatment starts with a clear understanding of the problem.
A typical assessment may include:
- A detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history
- A physical examination to assess your movement, strength, and areas of tenderness
- Review of any previous X‑rays, CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds
- Arranging additional imaging if clinically indicated
Sometimes the diagnosis is straightforward, such as a fracture after an injury. Other times, it can be more complex, involving joints, soft tissues, or referred pain from nearby areas.
I aim to:
- Explain the likely diagnosis in plain language
- Discuss what it may mean for your daily life and future joint health
- Outline the range of reasonable treatment options, including non‑surgical approaches where appropriate
3. Non‑Surgical Management (Often the First Step)
Surgery is one part of orthopaedic care, but it is not the only part and not always required.
Depending on your condition, non‑surgical management may include:
- Physiotherapy and guided exercise programs
- Activity modification to reduce joint stress
- Advice about joint protection and pacing strategies
- Weight management strategies, where relevant, to reduce load on weight‑bearing joints
- Pain management strategies, often coordinated with your GP
- Injections (such as corticosteroid injections in selected situations)
For many patients, these approaches can lead to meaningful improvement in pain and function. A key part of my job is to be transparent about when conservative (non‑surgical) management is appropriate, and when surgery may be considered.
4. When Surgery Is Considered
For some conditions, surgery can be an appropriate option when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief, or when the nature of the problem means surgery is recommended from the outset.
Common situations where surgery may be considered include:
- Advanced shoulder arthritis that significantly affects daily activities
- Certain fractures that are best stabilised surgically
- Some ligament injuries (for example, in the wrist)
- Selected shoulder conditions that do not respond to non‑surgical management
If surgery is being discussed, we’ll go through:
- The specific procedure recommended in your case
- The reasons this option is being considered
- The potential benefits and the realistic goals of surgery (for example, reduced pain, improved stability, or function)
- The risks and possible complications
- The expected recovery process and rehabilitation plan
Surgery is a shared decision‑making process. My role is to provide up‑to‑date information, outline reasonable options, and support you in making an informed decision that fits with your circumstances and preferences. I do not guarantee outcomes and I do not suggest that surgery is the best or only solution for everyone.
Common Areas I Help With
Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Arthritis
Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist arthritis is a frequent reason for referral.
Symptoms can include:
- Pain with showering, dressing, exercise, reaching, rolling in bed and other daily tasks
- Stiffness, especially after rest or first thing in the morning
- Difficulty with everyday tasks
Management options may involve:
- Exercise and strengthening programs
- Physiotherapy
- Pain medications organised with your GP
- Injections, where appropriate
- Joint replacement surgery in selected patients when non‑surgical options are no longer effective
Shoulder replacements are major operations. We spend time discussing what you can reasonably expect, what the recovery period looks like, and what you can do before and after surgery to support your outcome.
Sports and Activity‑Related Injuries
The Sunshine Coast has a very active community, so I often see patients with:
- Ligament injuries
- Cartilage injuries to the wrist
- Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff problems
- Fractures from sports or recreational activities
My approach considers:
- Your age, general health, and bone quality
- The type and extent of the injury
- Your activity demands (for example, work requirements, sports involvement)
Treatment may involve bracing, physiotherapy, structured rehabilitation, or surgery when indicated.
Shoulder Conditions
The shoulder is a complex joint and can become painful or unstable for a variety of reasons, including:
- Rotator cuff disorders
- Shoulder instability
- Arthritis
- Impingement or bursitis
Assessment usually includes a history, examination of movement and strength, and appropriate imaging. Management may involve:
- Targeted physiotherapy and exercise programs
- Activity modification
- Injections in selected cases
- Surgical options when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment and surgery is considered appropriate
Again, not all shoulder conditions require surgery. Many respond well to structured, non‑surgical care.
Individual Goals and Expectations
People vary in what they want from treatment.
For example:
- Some may wish to comfortably manage everyday tasks and recreational walking
- Others may need a certain level of strength or mobility for their work
- Some may want to return to specific sports or hobbies
We discuss:
- What is most important to you
- What is realistically achievable given your condition and overall health
- Likely timelines for improvement
- Your role in rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments
This helps ensure that the treatment plan is aligned with your goals and that expectations are clear and realistic.
Team‑Based Care
Orthopaedic care is rarely delivered in isolation. I work closely with:
- General practitioners
- Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists
- Anaesthetists and nursing staff
- Other allied health professionals
This team‑based approach aims to:
- Coordinate your care across different settings
- Address both your musculoskeletal issue and your broader health needs
- Provide consistent information and support throughout treatment and recovery
Recovery and Follow‑Up
Whether your treatment is surgical or non‑surgical, follow‑up is an important part of care.
This may involve:
- Pre‑treatment planning (for example, arranging support at home, organising time off work)
- Clear written and verbal instructions
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs
- Scheduled reviews to monitor progress and adjust the plan if required
We also discuss:
- Expected pain levels and pain management strategies
- When you may safely resume activities such as driving, work, or sport
- Warning signs that should prompt medical review
Final Notes
Living with joint or bone problems can be challenging, but there are often several reasonable approaches to improving pain and function.
If you are experiencing ongoing pain, stiffness, or limitation, an appropriate next step is to discuss your situation with your GP. They can assess you and, if needed, refer you for a specialist opinion.
This blog is intended as general information only. It does not replace a consultation with a qualified health professional who can assess your individual circumstances and provide personalised advice.
If you would like further information feel free to get in touch with our team at Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group.
You can read Dr Coory’s full clinical profile for more detail on his training, subspecialty interests and consulting locations.
Important information – This article provides general information only and does not constitute personal medical advice. Treatment decisions should follow a thorough clinical assessment and discussion of your goals, preferences and circumstances. Outcomes and recovery times vary between individuals. All procedures and interventions carry risks. These will be discussed with you before any treatment decisions are made. No testimonials, inducements, or comparative or superiority claims are intended or included in this information. For individual advice, please consult your GP or an appropriately qualified health professional. If you have sudden severe pain, suspected fracture or concerning symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.
