The shoulder is made up of three bones, the upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula) and collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder is a ball and socket joint where the ball of the upper arm bones fits into the socket in the shoulder blade. The arm is kept in the socket by the rotator cuff, a network of muscles that come together as tendons. The rotator cuff attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade and helps to lift and rotate the arm.
SHOULDER
A torn rotator cuff weakens the shoulder, making daily activities painful and difficult. When one or more of the rotator cuff tendons are partially or completely torn, the tendon is no longer fully attached to the humerus. An acute tear can be caused by a fall or lifting something too heavy. A degenerative tear is the result of wear and tear over time caused by repeating the same motion.
Symptoms
- Pain at night, particularly if lying on the affected shoulder
- Pain when lifting or lowering arm
- Weakness when lifting or rotating arm
- Crackling (crepitus) sensation when moving the shoulder
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest a rotator cuff injury, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as palpation, range of motion and strength tests, X-rays, an MRI, and an ultrasound in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
Dislocations of the shoulder occur when the bones on opposite sides of a joint do not line up properly. Dislocations can involve three different joints.
- Dislocation of the collarbone joint is a “separated shoulder.”
- Dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint interrupts the connection between the clavicle and the breastbone (sternum).
- Dislocation of the ball and socket joint of the shoulder can be toward the front (anterior) or the back (posterior) of the shoulder.
Symptoms
- Pain over the top of the shoulder
- Bump at the top or front of the shoulder
- Inability to move the arm
- Sensation of a “dead arm”
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest shoulder dislocation, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include reducing the dislocation and diagnostic procedure(s) such as X-rays to confirm realignment of shoulder joints.
Fractures of the shoulder commonly involve the clavicle (collar bone), proximal humerus (top of the upper arm bone) and scapula (shoulder blade). Fractures are broken bones usually caused by a direct blow from a fall or a collision.
Clavicle fracture:
Symptoms
- Swelling in the middle of collar bone area
- A prominent “bump” under the skin of the collarbone area
- Limited range of motion
Proximal humerus fracture:
Symptoms
- Severely swollen shoulder
- Very limited movement
- Severe pain
Scapular fracture:
Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Severe bruising around the shoulder blade
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest a shoulder fracture, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as X-rays, an MRI and a CT scan in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
The biceps tendons attach the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder and the elbow. Biceps tendons can begin as a partial tear, but as the damage progresses may become a complete tear. A complete tear can also damage other parts of the shoulder such as the rotator cuff. Injury and overuse generally cause biceps tendonitis.
Symptoms
- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm
- An audible pop
- Cramping of the biceps muscle with strenuous use of the arm
- Bruising on the upper arm Pain or tenderness at the shoulder and elbow
- Weakness in the shoulder and elbow Difficulty turning the arm palm up or down
- Bulge in the upper arm
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest tendonitis, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as palpation, X-rays and an MRI in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
Shoulder pain can result from arthritis. The most common type of arthritis in the shoulder is osteoarthritis, or wear and tear arthritis. Osteoarthritis develops slowly, eventually causing swelling, stiffness and pain. Other types of arthritis can be related to joint lining inflammation, rotator cuff tears or infection.
Symptoms
- Pain aggravated by activity
- Limited range of motion
- A grating sensation (crepitus) with movement
- Weakness Difficulty sleeping
