In January 2013, Patricia dislocated her right shoulder after she fell down some steps. In A&E, they relocated her shoulder and she was told that the dislocation could have damaged the nerves that are situated under the shoulder. Indeed, she started having problems moving her arm, hand, and wrist and fingers. On the 23 June 2014, she had subacromial decompression surgery, but feels surgery has not worked for her, as her mobility has not improved and she continues having pain. At her post-op follow up appointment she was told it is early days and was referred for more physiotherapy. The consultant will revise her situation in three months time.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

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

David had a skiing accident in January 2014 and a subsequent X-ray showed that he had torn some ligaments in his shoulder. His GP sent him for physiotherapy and the injury settled down after about three months, but the achy pain continued. He had decompression surgery that went well. But David went back to work two days after surgery and this has meant a longer rehabilitation period.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

For three years Margaret experienced severe pain in her left shoulder that restricted mobility and affected her quality of life. An X-ray showed that she had calcium build up in both shoulders, though the left one also had a bone spur that was impinging on the tendon. She has had decompression surgery in her left shoulder and she is making good recovery. Margaret is awaiting treatment for her right shoulder.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery

For about twenty years, Alan experienced recurrent shoulder pain that has been treated with steroid injections and physiotherapy. Recently, the pain became severe when he did any rotatory movement, or when lifting his arm. At his assessment meeting with the consultant, he was given the option to continue having steroid injections or to have surgery. He opted to have sub-acromial decompression surgery. The operation went well and he has regained much of the movement and flexibility in his arm and shoulder.

• 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

Five years ago, Beverley had arthroscopy manipulation to help with a frozen right shoulder. Two years later, she had the same problem in her left shoulder; had the same type of surgery and regained full movement of her left shoulder. Six months later, her left shoulder became painful and stiff, limiting arm movement. She had decompression surgery three weeks ago and says her left shoulder is still painful and stiff. She still takes painkillers at bedtime and she is doing her rehabilitation exercises three times a day.

• Bone surgery: Shoulder surgery