Shoulder pain is a common ailment. There are bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles in the shoulder that can be damaged or injured, and a number of common problems that may cause pain, stiffness, weakness, limited range of motion, and other debilitating symptoms.
Some of the most common shoulder conditions include:
- Rotator Cuff Tears: The rotator cuff is comprised of muscles and tendons that allow the shoulder to lift and rotate, and helps to keep the shoulder joint stable. Tears can range from mild to severe and are common in throwing and racquet sports.
- Labral Tears: The labrum is a rubbery cartilage that surrounds and cushions the shoulder socket. Tears may be caused by trauma or excessive repetitive motion and result in pain, instability, weakness and limited range of motion.
- Shoulder Dislocation: Shoulder dislocation is a painful injury that occurs when the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) pops out of the shoulder joint, either partially or completely, causing potential muscle, ligament or tendon injuries and shoulder instability.
- Shoulder Instability: Shoulder instability can be caused by injuries such as direct impacts from a fall or sports such as football and hockey; overuse of a muscle, tendon or ligament; arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and other conditions.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Also referred to as swimmer’s shoulder or thrower’s shoulder, impingement syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. It occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become impinged, or pinched, as they pass through the shoulder joint.
To determine the cause of your shoulder pain, a shoulder specialist at Lancaster Orthopedic Group will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and evaluate the shoulder to discover the problem and help you decide on the best course of treatment.
