The three bones that form the shoulder joint are secured in place by ligaments and the rotator cuff muscles.
The rotator cuff is comprised of four muscles that combine at the shoulder to form a thick “cuff” over the joint. The rotator cuff has the important job of stabilizing the shoulder as well as elevating and rotating the arm. Each muscle originates on the shoulder blade (scapula) and inserts on the arm bone (humerus).
The ball and socket structure is the reason the shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in the body. As a result of this freedom, though, the shoulder is the site of many common injuries. Repetitive overhead motions place the muscles and tendons of the shoulder in a vulnerable position. Therefore, many shoulder injuries occur in people with occupations that require overhead work.
Shoulder pain is a frequent complaint, especially for those participating in activities that involve reaching or throwing. Patients with shoulder problems often have difficulty sleeping at night because of symptoms in the affected shoulder.
The shoulder joint is capable of a wider and more varied range of motion than any other joint in the human body. This flexibility comes with a price — the shoulder joint also is more unstable than the other joints in the body. Dislocation and separation injuries and repetitive motions are common, too.
If you have shoulder pain, some common causes include:
Bursitis | Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
The most common diagnosis in patients with shoulder pain is bursitis or tendonitis of the rotator cuff.
Rotator Cuff Tear
Rotator cuff tears occur when the tendons of the rotator cuff separate from the bone. Surgery is sometimes necessary for this condition.
Also called ‘adhesive capsuliitis,’ this is a common condition that leads to stiffness of the joint. Physical therapy and stretching are extremely important aspects of treatment.
Calcific tendonitis is a condition of calcium deposits within a tendon — most commonly within the rotator cuff tendons. Treatment of calcific tendonitis depends on the extent of symptoms.
Instability is a problem that causes a loose joint. Instability can be caused by a traumatic injury (dislocation), or may be a developed condition.
A dislocation is an injury that occurs when the top of the arm bone becomes disconnected from the scapula.
Also called an AC separation, these injuries are the result of a disruption of the acromioclavicular joint. This is a very different injury from a dislocation!
There are several patterns of a torn labrum and the type of treatment depends on the specific injury.
The SLAP lesion is also a type of labral tear. The most common cause is a fall onto an outstretched hand.
Shoulder arthritis is less common than knee and hip arthritis, but when severe may require a joint replacement surgery.
Frequently treated shoulder and elbow problems and conditions include:
- Arthritis of the Shoulder
- Broken Shoulder
- Burners & Stingers
- Collarbone Fracture
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Frozen Shoulder
- Joint Stiffness
- Loose Shoulder (Instability)
- Overuse Injuries
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Shoulder Blade Fracture
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Shoulder Dislocation
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Shoulder Separation
- Shoulder Socket Fracture
- SLAP Tear
- Snapping Shoulder Syndrome