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Types of Shoulder Injuries

The shoulder joint is surrounded by a group of four muscles, referred to as the rotator cuff. Sporting activities and accidents can cause injuries, resulting in joint weakness, inflammation and pain.

  1. Tears

    • Rotator cuff tears may occur with aging, overuse, or from injury. Most rotator cuff problems are treated with ant-inflammatory medication and gentle strengthening exercises.

    Impingement

    • Impingement occurs when the space between the rotator cuff and the acromion bone becomes narrowed, preventing tendons from moving freely; tendinitis may follow.

    Tendinitis

    • Participants in sports involving overhead movements (baseball, basketball, football, tennis, swimming, volleyball) are prone to tendinitis, a painful tendon inflammation.

    Subluxation/Dislocation

    • Instability is evidenced when the shoulder feels loose. Supporting ligaments have been stretched and no longer hold the ball and socket joint firmly in place. Full dislocation often occurs after serious trauma, resulting in the shoulder ball coming completely out of its socket.

    Fracture

    • Collarbone (clavicle) fracture is another common injury in contact sports which typically involve speed.

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