For more than a year, Nicola had severe pain and restricted shoulder and arm movement. Before having decompression surgery, the GP prescribed painkillers, two steroid injections and physiotherapy but to no positive effect. Nicola felt they were dealing with her symptoms and not interested in finding out the cause of it. When she was referred to see a specialist, she felt she was being taking seriously for the first time. She is recovering from decompression surgery and feels confident that she will regain complete shoulder and arm mobility. She still experiences some pain, but doesn't feel anxious because she knows it is part of the healing process.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Mary injured her shoulder after a fall. She had physiotherapy, osteopathy, and three steroid injections before having subacromial surgery. The operation went well and the physiotherapist was pleased with her strength and range of movement. However, Mary continues to have achy pain that worsens when she exercise more actively.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Wayne fractured his shoulder after a fall. He had a total of three steroid injections. The first two controlled the pain for long periods of time, but the third injection was unsuccessful. He was referred to a specialist who indicated he needed decompression surgery. After surgery, his GP referred him for physiotherapy and he attends sessions every two weeks. He feels happy with the range of movements, flexibility and strength in his arm and shoulder although he still feels tender and sore.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Ken had a sharp pain in his shoulder that often woke him up at night and limited his ability to carry out everyday tasks such as holding a shopping bag. He went to see his GP who initially suggested physiotherapy, however when this didn't work he was referred to a specialist. He received a steroid injection to help with his pain, but pain relief was short-lived and eventually he was told he needed surgery. Ken's surgery went well and he is now able to do everyday tasks he wasn't able to do before surgery.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Seven months after his shoulder pain began, Manuel asked his GP to refer him to see a specialist. At the hospital, and after examination and tests, he was told he needed arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) surgery. He had no worries about having surgery, as he found the surgeon's explanations reassuring and the idea of keyhole surgery easier to accept. Manuel's surgery went well, but he experienced post-operatory breathing difficulties, which the consultant explained can sometimes happen when using nerve block. The ECG results were normal, but the tightness of the chest lasted for a few days.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Sue had aches and pains in her shoulder for eighteen months and at first, she went for private physiotherapy to help her cope with it. Physiotherapy only helped her regain partial movement so she went to see her GP, who referred her to a specialist. The consultant recommended a steroid injection, but when that failed to work, she was told that surgery was her best option. Sue used the Technology Enhanced Patient Information (TEPI) website several times before her surgery. The information she found on the site made her feel well prepared and relaxed about her upcoming surgery. Her surgery went well and she has regained full movement of her shoulder. She is back at work.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

Jasmine slipped and fell in the snow and was told she had a fractured shoulder. Her injury limited the movement in her arm and was affecting her ability to carry out her work duties. She was initially given an injection for pain relief and she also attended physiotherapy sessions for six months. These treatments did not improve her arm's mobility. She eventually saw a specialist and was told she needed surgery. Jasmine's surgery went well and she gradually regained movement in her arm but remains wary of using her right arm when restraining clients at work.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery