Dr Angela Cadogan - Physiotherapy Specialist

02/03/2026

Those of us working in Advanced Practice roles are increasingly operating (no pun intended) at the surgical interface.

We are assessing glenohumeral osteoarthritis, optimising conservative care, and determining when escalation to First Specialist Assessment is appropriate.

Yet arthroplasty decision-making is not routinely taught in formal physiotherapy training.

On 30th March inside Shoulder Academy, I’ll be joined by Specialist Upper Limb Surgeon Mr Khalid Mohammed to explore how these decisions are actually made in practice.

We’ll discuss:
• Differential diagnosis of the “stiff” shoulder
• When plain radiographs are sufficient — and when they are not
• Conservative optimisation versus escalation
• Management considerations in the younger OA patient
• The relevance of posterior glenoid bone loss
• The impact of rotator cuff integrity
• What constitutes a high-quality referral at the surgical interface

A practical, clinically focused discussion for physiotherapists working in Advanced Practice roles.

🔒 Members only.

More information through the Event link below: 👇

18/02/2026

Last week’s Shoulder Academy live members session focused on practical shoulder X-ray interpretation.

We worked through real cases in a small, interactive format discussing what each view is designed to show and how imaging findings sit alongside clinical assessment and referral decisions.

For clinicians working in orthopaedic triage and advanced practice roles in NZ, reviewing imaging is a key professional activity and part of everyday decision-making. These sessions are designed to support that level of practice.

06/01/2026

Who presents to Specialist Shoulder care? 🤔

I thought I would start 2026 by reflecting on my “year in patients” for 2025.

In this snapshot of patients referred by other physiotherapists or medical professionals for Specialist Shoulder consultation in 2025, some things did differ, and some really didn’t.

✔️ Instability patients were younger, and complex scapular dyskinetic patterns were common
✔️ They reported less pain and disability, but didn’t feel more “normal”
✔️ TSK (fear of movement) scores were high across all groups

But across diagnoses:
• Perceived “normal” ratings were low
• Fear of movement was common
• Symptoms were often long-standing

There were many other interesting trends, but these were the key takeaways for me:
• Diagnosis matters
• Experience, behaviour, and context shape recovery
• Nociplastic pain was frequently missed

What’s your patient population? How does this influence the PROM’s you use, or your clinical practice?

(Descriptive analysis of routine clinical data from a Specialist Physiotherapist’s referral population.)

29/10/2025

❌ Imaging ≠ Harm
✅ Misuse of imaging = Harm

In MSK care, imaging isn’t the problem, it’s how we use it. The real issue? Poor clinical reasoning, misinterpretation, and oversimplified messaging.

This blog challenges the “less imaging is better” narrative with a call to shift the conversation: stop blaming the tool and start improving how we use it.

🧠 Smarter imaging, not less imaging.

💬 Blog link in comments. 👇

15/10/2025

🤔 What's an "unstable scapula"?

We'll be discussing what this means & key aspects of rehabilitation in the upcoming ACJ Q&A with Mr Alex Malone - Orthopaedic surgeon - as part of non-surgical management of high grade ACJ injuries.

This is for Shoulder Academy members but feel free to join for a 7-day FREE trial which includes this session if you join before the event on 22nd October.

More info in comments 👇


Physio Academy - Learning

06/10/2025

When you see a patient with a Grade III AC joint injury, how confident are you in predicting who will do well with non-operative treatment or when to refer on? 🤔

📅 22nd October, 7.30pm
Shoulder Academy Q&A

In our upcoming Shoulder Academy members’ Q&A, Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon Mr Alex Malone will share his research on:
🔹 Diagnosis and classification beyond Rockwood
🔹 Predictors of success with non-op treatment
🔹 An algorithm for deciding between surgical vs non-surgical care
🔹 Surgical procedures and outcomes

We'll discuss important rehab implications of Grade III ACJ injuries with Mr Malone.

👉 Exclusive to Shoulder Academy members. Click Shoulder Academy link in bio/comments to start your 7-day FREE trial

18/08/2025

Once in a generation someone comes along with the passion and determination to drive the profession forward and achieve incredible things. Dr Stanley Paris is one of those people.

I had the absolute privilege of listening to these interviews as I added them to the Physio Academy library. They’re a wonderful journey back in time, showing where our profession began and how Stanley (and others) helped embed manual therapy in physiotherapy and set the bar for excellence in practice.

Have we maintained those high standards?

These interviews are a fascinating reminder of where we’ve come from, from a man who has achieved incredible things both personally and professionally, and continues to give so generously to the profession. I highly recommend taking the time to listen.👇

https://www.facebook.com/share/1JsSGkRNUn/

🎥 New Release: On the Shoulders of Giants – An Interview with Stanley Paris
Two legends. One conversation.

In this exclusive video series, Dr. Stanley Paris sits down with Dr. Mark Laslett to share stories that shaped the history of manual therapy — from treating Olympic athletes and training with James Cyriax, to founding IFOMPT and revolutionising physiotherapy education.

Whether you're a clinician, student or educator, this is essential viewing for anyone passionate about our profession's past, present and future.

👉 Watch now: https://bit.ly/3J7QF8A

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American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

12/08/2025

Subacromial Corticosteroid Injections: Should You Inject?
Thanks to the Shoulder Academy team for joining this Q&A session last week.

We covered:
✅ indications and contraindications
✅ clinical diagnosis of subacromial pain
✅ is 'bursitis' on ultrasound always symptomatic?
✅ who is NOT likely to benefit from a subacromial CSI
✅ risks, benefits, informed consent & shared decision-making
✅ evidence for therapeutic outcomes

Great turnout and great questions.

The recording is now available through the Q&A's on your Dashboard.

📅 Put 29th October in your diary and stay tuned for the AC joint Q&A topic. (Free for Shoulder Academy members)

More info on Shoulder Academy in comments. 👇



Physio Academy - Learning

04/08/2025

💥 "Subacromial Corticosteroid Injections - A Practical Guide for Clinicians. This is the Rotator Cuff Q&A theme for Shoulder Academy members on 6/8/2025.

We'll cover:
- Indications and contraindications
- Identifying the patients most likely to benefit from subacromial CSI
- Recognising when not to inject, and what to consider instead
- Interpreting bursal and tendon imaging findings in context
- Differentiating anaesthetic vs corticosteroid effects
- Navigating risks, informed consent, and timing around surgery
- Evidence for the efficacy of subacromial corticosteroid injections.
- Practical tips for the clinician.

We'll have the usual Q&A after the presentation with time for questions and case discussions. See you there!

More info in comments. 👇

21/07/2025

NZ Shoulder and Elbow Society 2025 conference wrap up: (July 9-12)

Always a pleasure to join the for their biannual conference - this year at the beautiful Millbrook, Arrowtown. Four solid days of learning with 6 other keen shoulder therapists and 4 of us presenting in the main session. Topped off with a fabulous meal at the Kawerau Bungy Centre.

A highlight was the physiotherapists "Fireside Chat" - joined by some international greats for a Q&A session - stay tuned for the recordings.

Key learnings from the conference:

Traumatic Shoulder Instability:
- Beware scapula neck fracture in differential diagnosis. Positive Apprehension test for pain with a negative Relocation test may be a clue. Often missed on imaging.

Grade V AC joint Instability:

04/06/2025

"The Shoulder Needs Chaos". Had great fun co-presenting the Shoulder Instability Masterclass with Prof. Jeremy Lewis this morning. Have seen 2 instability patients in clinic today & looking forward to the Atraumatic Instability session with the Shoulder Academy team tonight. A day full of Instability teaching & learning!

If you're interested in joining the session tonight see comments below. 👇

Agence EBP Physio Academy - Learning

27/05/2025

Looking forward to this one!

Physio Academy - Learning

C’est parti 🔥 Les inscriptions à la nouvelle masterclass EBP sont ouvertes !
📆 Le 3 juin à 20h, on parle d’épaule instable avec Angela Cadogan & Jeremy Lewis 💥
Cas cliniques, outils concrets, Q&A…
🎯 Tarif early bird : 75€ au lieu de 90€ jusqu’au 30 mai
📲 Lien d’inscription: https://www.agence-ebp.com/masterclass-dr-angela-cadogan-pr-jeremy-lewis