Shoulder Surgery Toowoomba
Dr Craig Brownlie specialises in the assessment and surgical management of shoulder conditions, offering a comprehensive range of procedures tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, anatomy, and functional goals. His areas of focus include:
Shoulder Conditions Treated
- All shoulder pathology including fractures
- Rotator cuff injuries/tears
- Shoulder impingement/bursitis
- Shoulder instability/dislocation
- Shoulder arthritis/degeneration
- Shoulder osteoarthritis
- Rotator cuff arthropathy
- AC joint dislocation or arthritis
- Frozen shoulder/Adhesive capsulitis
Shoulder Procedures
- Robotic-assisted shoulder replacement
- Simple & complex shoulder reconstruction
- Arthroscopic stabilisation surgery
- Open laterjet stabilisation
- Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair
- Subscapularis repair
- Shoulder replacement
- Superior Capsule Reconstruction (SCR)
Robotic-Assisted Shoulder Replacement
Dr Brownlie offers MAKO robotic-assisted shoulder replacement, an advanced surgical option for patients requiring shoulder arthroplasty. This technology allows for detailed pre-operative planning using CT imaging to create a patient-specific 3D model of the shoulder.
Robotic assistance supports precise implant positioning during surgery, tailored to the individual anatomy of each patient. This approach may assist with accuracy, consistency, and predictability in shoulder replacement procedures.
Robotic-assisted surgery is considered for suitable patients following careful assessment and discussion of treatment options.
Comprehensive Shoulder Care in a Regional Setting
Dr Brownlie is dedicated to delivering high-quality shoulder surgery close to home. Patients in Toowoomba and the broader Darling Downs region can access advanced surgical techniques locally, reducing the need for travel to metropolitan centres while maintaining a high standard of specialist care.
Why Shoulder Problems Are So Common
The shoulder joint is a very mobile ball and socket joint that allows a large range of motion and function of the upper limb. This shoulder function comes at the cost of stability however, as the bony surfaces offer little support. Instead the surrounding shoulder muscles and ligamentous structures offer the joint security. Because of this mobility-stability compromise, the shoulder joint is one of the most frequently injured joints of the body. This can include dislocation and instability of the shoulder, or damage to the rotator cuff. The articular cartilage can also degenerate over time, leading to osteoarthritis. This can cause dramatic stiffness and pain which can affect daily activities.
