How many shoulder injuries are there

Repetitive motion, such as throwing a baseball or tackling, can also cause instability. Rotator cuff tear — there are groups of muscles and tendons in the upper arm that support the arm and shoulder and allows for an extensive range of motion. One group is known as the rotator cuff.

When injured either by a strain or tear, the rotator cuff becomes extremely painful, and in severe cases, prevent you from even lifting your arm. Tendinitis — again, a tendon is connective tissue, and if that tissue becomes inflamed, the result is known as tendinitis, which can cause painful movement of the shoulder. Bursitis — this condition involves small, fluid-filled sacs, known as bursae, that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near joints.

When these sacs get inflamed, it can cause a great deal of pain in the shoulder. Arthritis — as we age, many of our joints begin to show signs of wear and tear, including the smooth cartilage that covers the joints.

When this cartilage starts to wear away, movement can cause pain. Select Cancer Dr. Select Don't forget your flu shot! Now is the time. Nov 3, For You Patient Handouts. Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include Sprains and strains Dislocations Separations Tendinitis Bursitis Torn rotator cuffs Frozen shoulder Fractures broken bones Arthritis Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Start Here. Diagnosis and Tests. Treatments and Therapies. Living With. Related Issues. Clinical Trials. For younger people, this health problem may be a normal part of growth and development.

Shoulders often stiffen or tighten with age. In athletes, shoulder instability is caused by certain motions used in tackling or pitching, for example. These motions put great force on the shoulder, stretching the shoulder ligaments over time. It can cause pain that comes on either quickly or gradually, a feeling that the shoulder is loose, or a weakness in the arm.

Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, or surgery. A shoulder separation, or sprain, happens when the ligaments that hold the clavicle to the acromion tear. If this happens, the clavicle is pushed out of place and may form a bump at the top of the shoulder. Sprains often happen during a fall, when your hand or arm is outstretched to stop the fall, or when you fall on a hard surface. When the sprain happens, it causes severe pain, a misshapen shoulder, and decreased shoulder movement.

Treatment depends on the severity of the sprain. To help ease pain and swelling, apply ice right after the injury.

Keeping the arm in a sling to limit the movement of the shoulder lets ligaments heal. This is often followed by physical therapy exercises.

Sometimes, surgery is needed. If the ligaments holding the shoulder bones tear and can't hold the joint together, the shoulder is dislocated. Falling onto an outstretched hand, arm or the shoulder itself, or a violent twisting, can cause a shoulder dislocation.

The main symptom is pain in the shoulder that becomes worse with movement. To treat a dislocation, apply ice right after the injury to ease pain, swelling, and bleeding around the joint. Within 15 to 30 minutes of the injury, the joint will be painful and swollen. A dislocated shoulder needs urgent care. Healthcare providers treat dislocations by using gentle traction to pull the shoulder back into place. Recurrent instability can be treated with surgery to fix the torn ligaments.

The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles of the upper arm. They allow you to raise and rotate the arm. The muscles are attached to the bones by tendons. The tendons of the rotator cuff allow the muscles to move the arm. If the tendons tear, the humerus can't move as easily in the socket. This makes it hard to move the arm up or away from the body.