Julia Walton

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy; SRP MCSP
Shoulder Extended Scope Practitioner
Advanced Musculoskeletal Practitioner
Specialist Shoulder Physiotherapist

Julia graduated from Nottingham University in 1999 and since 2002 has worked as a specialist shoulder Physiotherapist. Julia developed her interest in the shoulder after she joined the Nottingham Shoulder and Elbow unit in 2002. During her time there she gained extensive experience of tertiary referral complex shoulder conditions, treating patients form all over the United Kingdom in the NHS and in private practice. In 2004 she moved to Bristol and developed a new specialist shoulder physiotherapy service treating patients with complex shoulder conditions and atraumatic shoulder instability. She ran a problem shoulder clinic for local physiotherapists to bring complex patients for joint assessment and treatment planning. She founded the South West Shoulder Group, which was set up to share knowledge and support physiotherapy colleagues managing shoulder patients through out the region.

In 2012 Julia moved North and joined the Wrightington Upper Limb Unit where she continues her highly specialist shoulder practice. She works closely with her shoulder surgeon and therapy colleagues managing complex shoulder patients from all over the country. As part of this team she is actively involved in clinical research, teaching and regularly hosts national and international visiting clinicians to the unit.

Julia treats all shoulder conditions from elite athletes to shoulder complaints that trouble patients in their everyday life. She has extensive experience in pre- and post-operative rehabilitation. Julia believes the key to successful management of shoulder problems is communication and education. She enjoys the opportunity to share her specialist knowledge with patients, colleagues and works closely with coaches and teams.

Julia lectures nationally and is published internationally. She is also co-author of a new ‘Shoulder Exercise Book’ to be available soon.

Jill Thomas

BSc(HONS) Physiotherapy, PGCert Inj Ther, MCSP
Specialist Elbow and Shoulder Physiotherapist

Jill joined the Shoulder Clinic in 2018. She specialised in upper limb physiotherapy in 2009. During this time she has gained a wealth of experience in treating patients with shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems in the NHS and in private practice.

In 2013 she joined the Wrightington Upper Limb Unit as an elbow and shoulder specialist physiotherapist. Her passion lies in managing elbow problems, in particular preventing stiffness following trauma, tendinopathy and instability. She has established a successful tennis and golfers elbow rehabilitation programme. At the end of 2021 Jill stepped away from her NHS role and now practices solely though Manchester Shoulder Clinic.

Managing patients with everyday pain that limits their function, through to elite athletes; Jill manages patients as individuals to achieve their goals, be it to compete internationally, or return to work. She works closely with her orthopaedic colleagues, team doctors or physiotherapists, or local physiotherapists to achieve maximum potential for her patients.

Jill is actively involved in the education of physiotherapists and surgeons. She lectures on Masters programmes, nationally and internationally on courses. In 2016 she established a Northwest Elbow Special Interest Group for physiotherapists who wished to improve their elbow knowledge and outcomes. Jill is also involved in several research projects and is keen to progress outcomes for upper limb patients.

Ben Hughes

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy; MCSP

Ben graduated from the University of Brighton in 2005. After gaining experience as a general musculoskeletal physiotherapist, he joined the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in 2013 and developed a specialist interest in the upper limb working in the Shoulder, Elbow and Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit. During this time, Ben has gained experience in managing a wide range of complex upper limb and neurological disorders, tertiary referrals – including those that have required inpatient and residential rehabilitation as well as second opinion cases.

Ben has recently taken up a position as Advanced Upper Limb Physiotherapy Practitioner at the Wrightington Hospital where he continues to provide assessment and rehabilitation for complex upper limb conditions, working alongside his orthopaedic colleagues. Ben has lectured nationally on upper limb rehabilitation, held an associate lecturer position at University College London and published in peer review journals. Ben is currently a reviewer for the Shoulder and Elbow Journal and member of the British and Elbow Shoulder Society.