Shoulder & Rotator Cuff Problems

Shoulder Problems

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. It is a ball and socket joint made up of these 3 bones that are held in place by muscles, tendons and ligaments:

  1. Upper Arm (Humerus)
  2. Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
  3. Collarbone (Clavicle)

Because of its extreme mobility, the shoulder is highly prone to injury. Some causes of shoulder pain include:

  • Arthritis - inflammation to the shoulder joint.
  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) - when the shoulder is stiff, painful and has limited motion in all directions.
  • Shoulder Dislocation / Instability - when the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped shoulder socket (glenoid). A partial dislocation (sublaxation) occurs when the upper arm is partially out of the socket. Both conditions cause pain and shoulder unsteadiness.
  • Shoulder (A-C Separation) - stretching or tearing of the ligaments connecting the collarbone and shoulder blade.
  • Shoulder Fractures - broken bone in the shoulder.
  • Rotator Cuff Pain - typically caused by rotator cuff tendinitis (tendinitis) of one or more rotator cuff tendons or a tear that is typically caused by repetitive overhead motions.
  • Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Tear - injury to the labrum of the shoulder (ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint).
  • Shoulder Impingement - rotator cuff tendons or bursa are trapped and compressed during shoulder movements.
  • Bursitis - inflammation of one or more bursae.
  • Tendinitis - inflammation or irritation in the cord-like structure (tendon) attaching muscle to bone.
  • Cervical Radiculopathy - pinched nerve in the neck.
  • Whiplash - injury to ligaments and muscles in the neck.
  • Herniated Disc / Slipped Disc / Ruptured Disc - the outer perimeter of the disc (annulus) in the spine is cracked or torn and part or all of the soft gelatinous part of the center core (nucleus pulposus) ruptures out.

Shoulder pain due to cervical radiculopathy, whiplash and herniated discs is actually referred pain from the neck. Shoulder pain can also result from gallbladder disease (referred pain to the right shoulder) or even a heart attack (referred pain typically to the left shoulder).

Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Visit our Medical Library for more information on shoulder pain.