Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
Introduction
The shoulder is one of the largest joints in the body. There are many injuries and
disorders that can affect the shoulder. Shoulder injuries and disorders can cause pain
in the shoulder area and many other symptoms. Problems with the shoulder can also
interfere with daily living by affecting how the joint moves.
This reference summary explains different shoulder injuries and disorders. It covers
general symptoms and treatment options for
Clavicle
common shoulder injuries and disorders.
The Shoulder
The shoulder joint joins the upper body to the
arm. It is made up of 3 bones and many
muscles, ligaments and tendons. The 3 bones
that make up the shoulder joint include:
• The scapula, or shoulder blade.
• The humerus, or upper arm bone.
• The clavicle, a bone located between
the ribcage and the scapula. The
clavicle is also called the collarbone.
Scapula
Humerus
The shoulder joint is covered by tissue called cartilage. The smooth surfaces of the
cartilage allow for easy and painless movement in the shoulder joint.
Ligaments are tissues that connect the bones together and help keep the shoulder in
place. Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bones. Shoulder muscles that are
attached to the shoulder blade allow the shoulder to move in all directions. The
combination of some of the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the shoulder is called
the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is located under part of the shoulder blade.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
1
The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that is located between the shoulder joint and the rotator
cuff. This prevents the rotator cuff from rubbing against the shoulder.
Many shoulder injuries and disorders have similar symptoms. The main symptom is
pain in the shoulder area. The pain may be severe.
Other common symptoms of shoulder injuries and
disorders include:
• Bruising.
• Difficulty moving the affected shoulder.
• Pain in the neck, back or arm.
• Swelling or weakness in the shoulder area.
Some shoulder injuries and disorders may also cause:
• A popping or tearing feeling.
• Redness or tenderness at the joint.
• Stiff and achy joints.
• Visible deformity of the shoulder.
Sprains and Strains
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a
joint. There are many ligaments in the shoulder
that can be sprained. Many things can cause a
sprain. Falling, twisting or getting hit can force a
joint out of its normal position. This can cause
ligaments around the joint to stretch or tear.
Sprains can happen if people:
• Experience a sudden blow to a joint.
• Twist the arm too hard.
• Overuse the joint with repetitive motion.
A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. A tendon is tissue that connects
muscle to bone. A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains
can happen suddenly or they can happen over time.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
2
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. It usually involves:
• Resting and icing the injured area.
• Wearing a bandage or a device to compress the area.
• Medication.
Treatment may later include exercise and physical therapy. Surgery may be needed if
you have a torn ligament or ruptured muscle.
Your health care provider will tell you when you can resume your normal activities. If
you start too soon, you can injure the area again.
Torn Rotator Cuffs
A combination of certain muscles, tendons and ligaments in the shoulder is called the
rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is located under part of the shoulder blade.
A rotator cuff tear is a common cause of pain and disability among adults. A torn
rotator cuff will weaken your shoulder. This means that many daily activities may
become painful and hard to do.
When one or more of the rotator cuff tendons is torn, the tendon no longer fully
attaches to the bone.
A torn rotator cuff may be caused by:
• Falling onto an outstretched arm.
• Lifting something heavy.
• Repetitive stress to the tendons over time.
• A lack of blood supply to the rotator cuff, which can
happen with age.
If you have a rotator cuff tear and you keep using it, you
may cause further damage. A rotator cuff tear can get
larger over time.
A torn rotator cuff may be treated with:
• Rest.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines.
• Physical therapy.
• Steroid injections.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
3
Surgery may be needed if you have a large tear or if your symptoms do not improve.
Surgery involves re-attaching the torn tendon to the humerus.
Fractures
A fracture happens when any one of the bones in the body breaks. Fractures of the
shoulder usually affect the humerus or clavicle. Fractures can happen at the same time
as sprains in the shoulder. A fall or blow to the shoulder can fracture the shoulder.
Fractures are diagnosed with imaging tests, such
as x-rays.
Treatment for a fracture depends on the severity
of the injury. If the bones are still in place, the
shoulder and arm may be placed in a sling or
other device. Surgery may be needed to treat
more severe fractures. You may need physical
therapy for a few weeks or longer to help regain
strength and motion in the injured shoulder.
Separations and Dislocations
A shoulder separation happens when the clavicle and scapula separate. This can
happen when ligaments that hold the joint together are
torn. Shoulder separation is usually caused by a fall or a
blow to the shoulder.
A shoulder separation is usually treated with rest and a
sling to hold the shoulder in place. Physical therapy is
often needed as well. Most shoulder separations heal
within 2 or 3 months. Rarely, surgery may be needed to
repair torn ligaments.
Dislocations are joint injuries that force the ends of your
bones out of position. A shoulder dislocation happens
when any of the bones slip out of their normal position. Shoulder dislocations are
common. They can happen when the shoulder is rotated too far or pulled outward. A
dislocated joint is often swollen, painful and looks out of place. You may not be able to
move it.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
4
A dislocated joint is an emergency. If you think you may have one, seek medical care
right away.
Treatment for a shoulder dislocation might include:
• A sling or shoulder immobilizer.
• Bone repositioning.
• Medicine.
• Rehabilitation.
Because of loose ligaments, some people may be more
likely to have multiple shoulder dislocations. A surgery to
tighten the ligaments and prevent further dislocations may
be recommended in these cases.
Bursitis and Tendinitis
Bursitis and tendinitis are common conditions that cause
swelling in joints and around muscles and bones. A bursa
is small sac filled with fluid. It provides a cushion between
the bones and tendons around a joint. Bursae are found throughout the joints of the
body, including the shoulder. Bursitis happens when a bursa becomes inflamed.
Tendinitis happens when one of your tendons becomes inflamed. Most tendinitis is a
result of the tendon wearing down slowly over time.
Bursitis and tendinitis are usually caused by
overuse, repeated injury to a certain area or direct
injury to a joint. People who do activities that require
repetitive motions or that place stress on joints are
at higher risk. Inflammation of a bursa or tendon
may also be caused by:
• Arthritis.
• Diabetes.
• Infection.
• Thyroid disease.
Bursa
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
5
Treatment focuses on healing the injured bursa or tendon. The first step is to reduce
pain and inflammation. This is done with rest, compression and elevation. Antiinflammatory medicines can also help. Your health care provider may tell you to limit
the amount of activity involving the affected joint. This can help your shoulder heal and
prevent further injury. Severe cases of bursitis and tendinitis may be treated with other
therapies, such as steroid injections, physical therapy or surgery.
Arthritis
Arthritis happens when the cartilage and the synovium in joints is inflamed or
destroyed. There are many types of arthritis that
can affect the shoulder. The most common is
osteoarthritis. The synovium is a thin membrane
which lines joints. It creates a lubricating fluid that
reduces friction.
Osteoarthritis is due to chronic wear and tear. It is
more common in older people. Osteoarthritis
happens due to repetitive use of the joints.
Repetitive use of the joints leads to wear and tear
on the cartilage in the joint.
There is no cure for most types of arthritis. Antiinflammatory medicines, physical therapy and
splints may help. If other treatments are
unsuccessful, surgery to replace the shoulder may
help.
Summary
The shoulder is one of the largest joints in the body. There are many injuries and
disorders that can affect the shoulder, including:
• Sprains and strains.
• Fractures, separations and dislocations.
• Bursitis, tendinitis and arthritis.
• A torn rotator cuff.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
6
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a
joint. There are many ligaments in the shoulder that may be sprained. A strain is a
stretched or torn muscle or tendon. A tendon is a tissue that connects muscle to bone.
A fracture happens when one of the bones in the body breaks. A shoulder separation
happens when the clavicle and scapula separate. A shoulder dislocation happens
when any of the bones slip out of their normal position.
Bursitis, tendinitis and arthritis are common conditions that cause swelling in joints and
around muscles and bones.
Shoulder injuries and disorders can interfere with daily living by affecting how the joint
moves. Many shoulder injuries and disorders have similar symptoms. The main
symptom is pain in the shoulder area. The
pain may be severe. Other common symptoms
of shoulder injuries and disorders include:
• Bruising.
• Difficulty moving the affected shoulder.
• Pain in the neck, back or arm.
• Swelling or weakness in the shoulder
area.
Treatment for shoulder injuries and disorders
depends on the cause. Treatment may include
rest, medicines, physical therapy and surgery.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 03/23/2017
opfm0101
7