Adam Mcknight
ADAM MCKNIGHT
Sports Physiotherapist & Founder of Perth Shoulder Physio
Helping Perth patients overcome shoulder pain, recover from injury and return to the activities they enjoy.
Adam McKnight is an APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist with two decades of clinical experience assessing and treating shoulder conditions.
Through Perth Shoulder Physio, Adam provides comprehensive shoulder assessments, evidence-based rehabilitation and second opinions for patients seeking expert guidance for their shoulder problem.
Having worked closely with specialist shoulder surgeons and experienced shoulder reconstruction surgery himself, Adam brings both professional expertise and personal insight to the rehabilitation process.
Why Adam Chose to Focus on Shoulders
Throughout his career, Adam developed a particular interest in shoulder injuries and shoulder rehabilitation.
The shoulder is one of the most complex joints in the body. Shoulder pain can arise from a wide range of structures and conditions, making accurate diagnosis and treatment planning particularly important.
As his experience grew, Adam became increasingly drawn to the challenge of understanding shoulder problems in greater depth. He recognised that developing genuine expertise required more than occasional exposure to shoulder injuries—it required a dedicated focus on the assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of shoulder conditions.
At a time when patients have greater access to health information and increasingly seek clinicians with advanced knowledge in specific areas, Adam believed the best way to provide the highest standard of care was to concentrate his professional development and clinical practice on shoulders.
To further develop this expertise, Adam completed a Master of Sports Physiotherapy through La Trobe University, where he developed advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of shoulder injuries.
His training provided unique access to some of Australia's leading shoulder surgeons, sports physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists. Through this experience, Adam gained extensive exposure to shoulder surgery, post-operative rehabilitation, complex shoulder injuries and the management of athletes at all levels of competition.
This commitment to shoulder rehabilitation ultimately led to the creation of Perth Shoulder Physio — a clinic dedicated exclusively to shoulder assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation.
Experience Working Alongside Shoulder Surgeons
One of the most influential experiences in Adam's career was working as a shoulder physiotherapist with the specialist surgeons at Perth Shoulder Clinic.
This role provided valuable insight into the surgical and non-surgical management of shoulder conditions and allowed Adam to assist hundreds of patients recovering from shoulder surgery.
Over the years, he has worked extensively with patients following:
- Rotator cuff repair surgery
- Shoulder stabilisation surgery
- Shoulder replacement surgery
- Fracture management and rehabilitation
This experience has also helped Adam identify which patients are most likely to benefit from physiotherapy and which may require surgical opinion or further investigation.
A Personal Understanding of Shoulder Rehabilitation
Adam's interest in shoulder rehabilitation is not purely professional — it is also personal.
In 2019, Adam suffered a shoulder dislocation during a snowboarding accident. Following ongoing instability, he underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery and completed the same rehabilitation journey that many of his patient’s experience.
This firsthand experience gave him a unique appreciation of the physical and emotional challenges that often accompany significant shoulder injuries.
He understands the uncertainty that can come with deciding whether surgery is necessary, the frustration of activity restrictions, and the commitment required to successfully return to work, sport and everyday activities.
It is an experience that continues to shape the way he approaches patient care today.
Qualifications & Professional Development
Qualifications
- APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist
- Master of Sports Physiotherapy – La Trobe University
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Curtin University
Experience
- Two decades of clinical experience
- Former physiotherapist with Perth Shoulder Clinic
- Founder of Perth Shoulder Physio
- Facilitator for Sports Physiotherapy Australia & Sports Medicine Australia
Areas of Clinical Interest
Adam has a particular interest in:
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder instability and dislocations
- Post-operative shoulder rehabilitation
- Shoulder arthritis
- Second opinion consultations
Book an Appointment with Adam
Whether you're dealing with a recent shoulder injury, ongoing shoulder pain, considering surgery or recovering from an operation, Adam can help you understand your diagnosis and develop a clear plan for recovery.