Operating locationsMater Hospital, North Sydney (private) and Canterbury Hospital (public).
About
Meet Dr Harry Constantin
Dr Harry Constantin is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a practice dedicated to the shoulder. He treats the full range of shoulder conditions, from instability, rotator cuff tears and fractures to arthritis and complex joint replacement.
He completed the prestigious Shoulder Fellowship at the Institut de Chirurgie Réparatrice Locomoteur et Sports (ICR) in Nice, France, training with Professor Pascal Boileau, an internationally recognised pioneer of shoulder surgery. In Nice, he gained advanced experience in complex shoulder reconstruction, primary and revision shoulder replacement, the Latarjet procedure and arthroscopic shoulder surgery, treating both adult and paediatric patients.
His trauma training adds depth to his shoulder practice, particularly in managing fractures around the shoulder in both adults and children, as well as fractures of the upper limb more broadly. He was awarded an AO Trauma Fellowship at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK and trained at several Level 1 trauma centres across Sydney and rural NSW. Dr Constantin also has a secondary interest in elbow surgery, supported by advanced elbow training across Europe.
Whether treating athletes or people wanting to get back to everyday life, Dr Constantin is committed to personalised, evidence-based shoulder care, with the aim of restoring movement and quality of life.
Qualifications
BSc (Adv), MBBS, MS (Orth), FAOrthA, FRACS Ahpra registration MED0002006831
Shoulder
Fellowship, ICR Nice, France
Trauma
AO Trauma Fellowship, Cambridge University Hospitals
Research
Principal shoulder surgeon, NSORG
Awarded the Gordon Gordon-Taylor Medal by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons for the highest score in the surgical primary examination across Australia and New Zealand.
Many conditions improve without an operation. When surgery is the right option, Dr Constantin will discuss your goals, the expected outcomes and your recovery with you, so you can make an informed decision together.
Shoulder
Rotator cuff tears, instability, arthritis and tendon injuries.
Shoulder replacement
For arthritis, irreparable rotator cuff tears, complex fractures and failed previous replacements.
How Dr Constantin approaches consultations, decisions and follow-up.
1
Assessment first
Every consultation begins with your history, examination and imaging. Surgery is one of several options discussed, not the starting point.
2
Shared decisions
The benefits, risks and alternatives of any procedure are explained so the decision is yours, made with full information.
3
Personal continuity
Dr Constantin performs your consultations, your surgery and your follow-up himself.
4
Guided recovery
A procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol is shared with you and your physiotherapist.
Research & teaching
Educator. Researcher. Surgeon.
Dr Constantin holds a Master of Surgery in Orthopaedics, has published in international peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer for several leading orthopaedic publications. He lectures in the University of Sydney Master of Surgery program and mentors the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.
He is the principal surgeon leading shoulder research at the North Sydney Orthopaedic Research Group (NSORG), which focuses on improving the understanding, treatment and outcomes of shoulder conditions.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). As part of your care you may be asked to complete short questionnaires that track your symptoms, function and recovery over time, and contribute to improving patient care.
Presentation · 2026 Nice Shoulder CourseThe ADLER Score: how to quantify the handicap related to “dropping arm”
Dr Constantin presented the ADLER score, a way of measuring the everyday handicap caused by a “dropping arm” in patients with massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears, and how it guides tendon transfers, with and without shoulder replacement.
Watch on VuMedi VuMedi is a free video platform for registered health professionals.
General guidance about your appointment and recovering from surgery. Every operation and every patient is different, so always follow the specific instructions from Dr Constantin, your anaesthetist and the hospital.
Why does my shoulder hurt?
Shoulder pain is very common and has many possible causes, including rotator cuff tears, arthritis, frozen shoulder, bursitis, and biceps or AC joint problems. Pain can also come from the neck, when a pinched nerve is felt in the shoulder. Dr Constantin will examine your shoulder and neck to find the cause. Read more: Why does my shoulder hurt?
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A GP or specialist referral is required to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation. Referrals can be sent via HealthLink (harrycon), faxed to 02 8212 9015 or emailed to team@drharryconstantin.com.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Your referral, any X-ray, ultrasound or MRI images and reports, a list of your medications, and your Medicare and private health details.
Will I need surgery?
Not necessarily. Many shoulder and elbow conditions are managed with physiotherapy, injections or activity modification. Surgery is discussed as one option when it is appropriate for your condition.
There is no single rule. You must not drive for at least 24 hours after a general anaesthetic or sedation, and you should not drive while taking medications that make you drowsy or impair your concentration, such as narcotic pain medication.
A sling, cast or brace may stop you controlling a vehicle safely. Before driving again you should be able to:
comfortably control the steering wheel and all vehicle controls
perform an emergency manoeuvre if required
safely get in and out of the vehicle
drive without significant pain or restriction
drive without medications that impair your alertness.
For many shoulder operations, driving is therefore not recommended while the arm is in a sling. Being comfortable enough to drive is not the same as being safe to drive. If you are unsure, discuss it at your post-operative appointment.
This depends on your surgery. After shoulder operations a sling is usually needed for approximately 4–6 weeks to protect the repair while it begins to heal, although some procedures need a shorter or longer period.
You will usually be encouraged to remove the sling for hygiene and your prescribed exercises, unless told otherwise. After elbow surgery or wrist fracture fixation you may need a splint, cast or brace instead.
Yes. After upper-limb surgery, swelling and bruising often travel down the arm because of gravity, so you may notice it in your forearm, wrist, hand or fingers even after shoulder or elbow surgery. It can persist for several weeks.
To help reduce swelling:
elevate the hand and arm when appropriate
regularly move your fingers, wrist and elbow if permitted
use ice as instructed
use a compression bandage or sleeve if specifically recommended.
Contact the team if swelling is rapidly increasing, extremely painful, associated with increasing redness or wound discharge, or if your fingers become persistently numb, pale, blue or cold.
What do I do with my wound dressings?
Unless you have been given different instructions:
keep the dressings clean and dry
do not remove or change them unnecessarily
do not apply creams, antiseptics or ointments to the wounds
avoid soaking the wounds in a bath, pool or the ocean until they have healed.
Some dressings are waterproof and allow showering; your hospital discharge instructions will say whether this applies. Wounds are usually reviewed at your first post-operative appointment. If a dressing becomes saturated, falls off or there is persistent leakage, please contact the rooms.
When should I see my physiotherapist?
Physiotherapy is a critical part of your recovery, and Dr Constantin will communicate with your physiotherapist about your operation. Some patients begin simple exercises immediately, while certain tendon or ligament repairs need a period of protection first.
Your procedure-specific rehabilitation protocol explains when physiotherapy starts, which movements are permitted, and when strengthening and return to sport can begin. Please take it with you to your physiotherapist.
When can I return to the gym?
Walking and gentle cardio can often begin relatively early. Exercises involving the operated arm are reintroduced progressively according to your rehabilitation protocol.
After a tendon, ligament or labral repair, feeling better does not mean the tissue has finished healing, and lifting heavy too early can compromise the repair. Rehabilitation generally progresses from mobility → controlled movement → strengthening → heavier gym work → sport-specific exercise, which can take 3–9 months.
When can I return to work?
It depends on the surgery and the physical demands of your job. Desk-based work may be possible relatively early once pain is controlled. Jobs involving lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, manual labour or overhead work usually need considerably more time away from normal duties. You may initially return on modified duties or reduced hours.
For Workers Compensation or CTP claims, your work capacity may be documented on a SIRA Certificate of Capacity. Discuss a return-to-work plan with your employer or rehabilitation specialist. See Injured at work: a recovery at work guide for workers (SIRA).
My anaesthetist and anaesthesia plan
Dr Constantin works with highly trained anaesthetists who focus on making sure your surgery goes to plan, your pain is controlled and you recover with minimal side effects.
Your anaesthetist will contact you before your operation to discuss the most appropriate anaesthetic, your medications, fasting instructions and pain management. The Australian Society of Anaesthetists also provides patient information on anaesthesia for shoulder surgery.
How much pain will I have after surgery?
Pain varies from person to person and with the type of surgery. It is usually most noticeable in the first few days and then gradually improves. An ache around the surgical area, particularly at night, may persist for several weeks.
If you have had a nerve block, begin taking your prescribed pain medication before the block has completely worn off, as instructed by your anaesthetist. If pain is severe despite medication, or getting significantly worse, please contact the rooms.
For many shoulder and elbow operations, your anaesthetist may perform a regional nerve block as well as a general anaesthetic. Local anaesthetic is injected around the nerves supplying the arm, which can give excellent pain relief straight after surgery.
The arm may feel numb, heavy or difficult to move while the block is working; this is expected. A block commonly lasts approximately 12–24 hours, although this varies.
Do I need special fasting if I take Ozempic, Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medication?
Yes. Make sure both Dr Constantin and your anaesthetist know if you take a GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP medication for diabetes or weight management, as fasting instructions differ significantly. These medications slow stomach emptying, which can increase the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs under anaesthesia.
Current Australian and New Zealand guidance generally recommends continuing these medications rather than stopping them. For elective procedures you may be asked to follow a 24-hour clear-fluid diet before surgery, then specific fasting instructions. Your anaesthetist's and hospital's instructions take priority. If you have not received instructions, contact the hospital or anaesthetist rather than changing the medication yourself.
Patients and referring doctors can contact the rooms directly. A referral is required for Medicare rebates. Urgent and acute injuries are prioritised.
GPs, emergency departments and allied health practitioners can use the referral form so patients are seen as quickly as possible. Please send medical or discharge summaries with the patient or by email.
