Scaffolders Shoulder – the bodies compensation for increased stress on the shoulder

Here we have a photograph of one of my previous patients – a middle aged Scaffolder.

As you can see from the photograph he has developed large compensatory fat pads in the acromio-clavicular area of his left shoulder to counteract the increased stress of carrying scaffold tubing on his shoulder for the last 30+ years. 

These enlarged fatty deposits do not cause any pain and have the effect of reducing the stresses on his shoulder when lifting.