Shoulder Injuries
Your shoulder joint is made up of three bones: The Clavicle (collarbone), Scapula (shoulder blade), and Humerus (upper arm bone).
It’s the most flexible joint in your body, giving you a wide range of motion. But that same mobility also makes it unstable, the ball at the top of your arm is actually bigger than the shoulder socket that holds it! That’s why strong muscles, tendons, and ligaments are key to keeping your shoulder steady and protected.
Warning Signs of a Shoulder Injury
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is my shoulder stiff? Can I move or rotate my arm through its full range of motion?
- Does it ever feel like my shoulder might pop out or slip from its socket?
- Do I feel weakness in my shoulder that affects my daily activities?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to consult a specialist to assess the severity of the problem and discuss possible treatment options.
Listening to your body is the first step to reaching your best performance. Chronic pain, discomfort, or strange sensations should not be ignored. Consulting your doctor or talking with your coach can help identify problems before they turn into serious injuries.
Rotator Cuff Tears
These injuries affect the group of tendons responsible for stabilizing and moving the shoulder. They’re especially common in athletes who perform repetitive overhead or lifting motions.
Typical signs:
- Sharp or aching pain during reaching lifting or overhead
- Weakness and limited range of motion
- Discomfort when lying on the affected shoulder
Mayo Clinic Explanation MayoClinic.org Learn About Rotator Cuff Damage
SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Tear)
A SLAP tear involves damage to the labrum, the cartilage ring that stabilizes the top of the shoulder socket. It often affects athletes such as pitchers or volleyball players due to repetitive throwing or sudden pulling motions.
Typical signs:
- Deep shoulder pain during overhead activities.
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds.
- A sense of instability or loss of power.
Image Source: Orthoinfo AAOS Org. Deseases & Conditions, SLAP Tears.
Labral Tear
There are three main types of labrum tears, and they can be easy to confuse. So it’s important to talk with your doctor to understand your specific case.
1. Detachment from the bone
This happens when the labrum is completely torn off the bone, often after a shoulder dislocation or subluxation. In some cases, people don’t even realize their shoulder slipped out of place.
2. Fraying or small internal tears
Over time, the labrum’s edge can become frayed or uneven, especially in people over 40. These tears are common and usually don’t cause pain or symptoms.
3. SLAP tear (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior)
This type involves the attachment point of the biceps tendon at the top of the shoulder socket. The injury can range from mild to severe and may cause pain, clicking, or catching when moving the shoulder.
Symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain and instability
- Grinding, locking, or catching sensations during movement
- In baseball players: pain while throwing — especially between cocking and release — that may spread to the front of the shoulder
- Discomfort often linked to biceps strain or follow-through motion
Shoulder Dislocation
This occurs when the upper arm bone (humeral head) slips out of the shoulder socket often from a fall or direct blow. It’s most common in young athletes and contact sports.
Types of Shoulder Dislocations
Healthcare providers classify shoulder dislocations based on how far the joint bones are displaced:
Complete dislocation (luxation): The bones are fully separated and pushed out of their normal position.
Subluxation: A partial dislocation where the bones are partially separated but still maintain some contact.
You may experience:
- Intense pain and swelling
- A visibly displaced shoulder
- Inability to move the arm
Shoulder Fractures: Clavicle and Scapula
The clavicle (collarbone) is one of the most commonly fractured bones in the body.
These fractures are classified into three main types based on their location:
Medial (near the sternum): The rarest type.
Distal (near the acromioclavicular joint): Less common.
Midshaft (between the sternum and AC joint): The most frequent type.
Scapula Fractures
Fractures of the scapula (shoulder blade) are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all bone fractures. Most of these injuries can be treated without surgery.
Watch for These Symptoms
Sudden, sharp pain and swelling
Bruising or visible deformity
Difficulty lifting or moving the arm
Extreme pain with arm movement
Swelling around the back of the shoulder
Scrapes or abrasions near the injured area
AC (Acromioclavicular) Joint Separation
A separated shoulder is an injury to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the top of the shoulder blade (acromion). Unlike a shoulder dislocation, it doesn’t affect the main ball-and-socket joint.
This injury occurs when the ligaments connecting the clavicle and acromion are stretched or torn, causing the joint to loosen and the bones to move apart. It’s also known as an AC joint separation or acromioclavicular joint separation.
Athletes may notice:
- Pain at the top of the shoulder
- Visible bump near the collarbone
- Limited shoulder movement
- Swelling, tenderness, and bruising
A shoulder separation can range from mild to severe and is classified using the Rockwood classification based on the ligaments involved:
Type I: Sprain or partial tear of the AC ligaments. Causes mild swelling and tenderness; heals within a few weeks.
Type II: Complete tear of the AC ligaments and partial tear of the CC ligaments. Causes moderate swelling and tenderness.
Type III: Complete tear of both AC and CC ligaments. Results in a visible bump, significant swelling, and severe tenderness.
Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD)
Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD) is a condition where the shoulder loses part of its internal rotation compared to the other side, often affecting athletes who throw.
It’s diagnosed by observing:
Reduced internal rotation
Increased external rotation
Overall decreased total rotation range compared to the opposite shoulder
Treatment focuses on physical therapy, especially posterior-inferior capsule stretching to restore mobility.
Exercises
3 Exercises for Painful / Limited Shoulder Internal Rotation
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement is a painful pinching inside the shoulder that often occurs during movement. It happens when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade presses down on the rotator cuff tendons beneath it, causing irritation and discomfort.
Experts estimate that shoulder impingement accounts for nearly half of all shoulder pain cases. This condition is particularly common among athletes and individuals who perform physically demanding work.
Visit Dr Myhre if you’re experiencing shoulder pain or can’t move your shoulder comfortably.
Typical symptoms:
- Pain when raising the arm above shoulder height
- Weakness during overhead movements
- A pinching or catching sensation