32. On 11 December 1996 the plaintiff first consulted Dr Paek, a general practitioner, for his shoulder condition, and he has remained under Dr Paek's care ever since, subject to reference from time to time to Dr Stubbs, an orthopaedic surgeon, whose evidence I accept. Dr Stubbs describes the case as relatively straightforward (contrary to Dr Schaeffer, a neurosurgeon who concedes that it is not within his speciality). The plaintiff suffered a tear of the supraspinatus tendon of the rotator cuff of the left shoulder. Physiotherapy in the early stages was ineffective and pain-killing medication had inappropriate side-effects. The physical nature of the injury was confirmed first by an arthrogram and later on an operation under general anaesthetic when the tear was successfully repaired. However, post-operative adhesions led to a condition in the socket known as "frozen shoulder". Dr Stubbs attempted to clear the adhesions and to boost recovery by cortisone injections under general anaesthetic in late 1997. Further cortisone injections were given in May and June 1999, but the plaintiff's condition, according to him, never improved. There is still room for improvement, even for recovery, in Dr Stubbs' view, and indeed the view of all the other doctors. An assessment of the plaintiff's symptoms and disabilities depends largely upon how far he can be accepted as a witness of truth. It is clear that he has been and continues to be incapacitated for the heavy work required of a formwork carpenter, particularly those activities involving use of the left arm above the shoulder. However, he still has some residual physical capacity for work of a lighter nature which, with retraining, could be converted into a real earning capacity.