Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are common and can affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, or joints in the shoulder region. They often occur due to overuse, trauma, or degenerative changes in the shoulder structures.
Common shoulder injuries include:
- Rotator cuff injuries: These involve damage or tears to the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, leading to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Rotator cuff tears can occur gradually over time due to repetitive overhead movements or suddenly from a fall or lifting heavy objects.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: This occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become compressed or irritated between the bones of the shoulder joint, leading to pain, inflammation, and decreased mobility, especially with overhead movements.
- Shoulder dislocation: This happens when the upper arm bone (humerus) pops out of the shoulder socket, often due to trauma or a sudden force. It causes severe pain, instability, and limited movement in the shoulder joint.
- Shoulder instability: This refers to a condition where the shoulder joint is loose and prone to dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation) due to ligament laxity or muscle weakness. It can cause frequent episodes of shoulder pain, weakness, and a sensation of the shoulder slipping out of place.
- Labral tears: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint, providing stability and cushioning. Tears in the labrum can occur from trauma, repetitive motions, or degenerative changes, leading to pain, clicking sensations, and shoulder instability.