Types of Shoulder Injuries and Common Shoulder Pain Conditions

Resurgens Orthopaedics specializes in a number of surgical and non-surgical procedures for the shoulder. A critical first step for treatment is identifying your specific shoulder condition based on the injury you experienced or the type of pain you're feeling. Follow the links below to view educational videos about common shoulder conditions and injuries that can be treated by the expert Physicians at Resurgens Orthopaedics.

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis is a condition that most often affects middle-aged people and is caused by an overuse of the shoulder. It's a joint degeneration condition that occurs at the top of the shoulder where the acromion meets the clavicle.

Biceps Tendonitis

Biceps Tendonitis is a condition where the 'long head of biceps tendon' becomes painfully inflamed. It's caused by normal wear and tear and is especially common in athletes and people who perform regular overhead movements.

Biceps Tendon Rupture

Biceps Tendon Rupture is a condition where one of the two tendons that anchor the bicep muscle becomes partially or completely torn. It can happen during a fall or even over a long period of time resulting in pain and weakness in your upper arm.

Burners and Stingers

Burners and Stingers are warm or painful sensations that occur after an injury to the network of nerves that pass through the shoulder called the brachial plexus. It's commonly caused by head or neck trauma when the brachial plexus nerves are violently bent.

Calcific Tendinitis (Degenerative Calcification)

Calcific Tentinitis Degenerative Calcification is a painful condition that is the result of inflammation caused by calcium deposits forming in the tendons of the rotator cuff. It's a common condition for adults and is thought to be caused by the normal wear and tear of aging.

Calcific Tendinitis (Reactive Calcification)

Calcific Tentinitis Reactive Calcification is a condition that occurs when calcium crystals are formed in the tendons of the rotator cuff causing inflammation. It's more commonly found in young people for reasons unknown. The calcification progression is not painful, however, most people experience pain during the reabsorption process.

Dislocation

A Dislocated Shoulder is a condition where the ball of the humerus slips out of the glenoid or shoulder socket. This can happen from a hard fall, athletic injury or other trauma.

Fracture of the Collarbone (Clavicle)

A Fractured Collarbone also called a clavicle, is a common condition that occurs when you break the collarbone. It can be caused by a hard fall, athletic injury or accident.

Fracture of the Shoulder Socket (Glenoid Fracture)

A Fractured Shoulder Socket, otherwise called a glenoid fracture, is a condition where your arm (head of the humerus) pops out of its socket (glenoid). It's often caused by severe trauma such as hard falls or accidents.

Fractures of the Greater Tuberosity

A Fracture of the Greater Tuberosity is a condition that can interfere with the rotator cuff. It's caused by direct trauma to the shoulder and risk is increased in those with osteoporosis. The greater tuberosity is a boney bump located opposite the head of the humerus.

Fractures of the Scapula

A Fractured Scapula also called the shoulder blade, is a condition that occurs when the scapula breaks. It's uncommon because the scapula is well protected by the shoulder muscles but can be caused by severe trauma.

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)

Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) is a condition where there is stiffness or loss of motion and pain in the shoulder joint capsule. It's common in middle-aged people and can be caused over time.

Glenoid Labrum Tears

A Glenoid Labrum Tear is a condition that affects the labrum which is the cartilage that lines and deepens the shoulder socket (glenoid). The labrum cushions the humeral head holding it securely to the socket. A torn labrum can occur from severe trauma like a fall or accident as well as over time from repeated overhead motion.

Hill-Sachs Lesion

A Hill-Sachs Lesion is a traumatic fracture of the humeral head that changes its shape and can interfere with normal arm movement. This condition is caused by dislocation of the shoulder.

Impingement Syndrome

A Shoulder Impingement is a condition that occurs when the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa become pinched or squeezed against the acromion causing inflammation. This can happen over time from repeated overhead motion or from a traumatic injury.

Loose Shoulder (Multidirectional Instability)

A Loose Shoulder also called multidirectional instability, is a condition where the ligaments that hold the shoulder in place aren't tight enough or the cartilage around the socket may be damaged. This is caused by dislocation through trauma or repeated overhead movements.

Muscle Imbalance

A Muscle Imbalance is a condition where the muscles in the shoulder are not exercised evenly and become unstable. This can happen through trauma, athletics or repeated overhead movement.

Muscle Strain of the Upper Back (Trapezius Strain)

A Trapezius Strain is a common condition that occurs through overstretching or tearing the muscles of the upper back. This can be caused by overuse through activities such as, driving or playing an instrument for too long, also from weightlifting or playing contact sports.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis commonly referred to as degenerative arthritis is a condition where the cartilage in the joints gradually breaks down. This can develop from the wear and tear of aging as well as traumatic injury. It's most common in older people, women, and those with certain occupations or with a genetic predisposition.

Proximal Humerus Fracture (Broken Shoulder)

A Broken Shoulder or proximal humerus fracture is a condition where the head of the humerus breaks. This can be caused by trauma and commonly affects elderly people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a condition that affects the immune system preventing the body from fighting off infection. RA can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint.

Rotator Cuff Tears

A Rotator Cuff Tear is a condition that happens when the tendons and muscles that form the rotator cuff are under too much stress. This can happen during heavy lifting, a severe fall with an outstretched arm or other trauma.

Separation

A Separated Shoulder is a condition where the ligaments of the AC joint are overstretched or torn. It's caused by a traumatic event and can happen during a hard fall or athletic injury.

Snapping Scapula Syndrome

Snapping Scapula Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the scapula or shoulder blade gets caught on the muscles or bones of the chest wall instead of gliding smoothly. This can be the result of training too hard, overuse or another traumatic shoulder injury.

Subacromial Bursitis

Subacromial Bursitis is a condition where a fluid-filled sac that cushions the space between the acromion and the humeral head called a subacromial bursa becomes swollen on inflamed. This can happen from constant stress against the bursa from repeated overhead arm movement or heavy lifting and pulling.

Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Tear

A Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Tear is a condition where the ring of cartilage around the shoulder socket called the labrum is torn. This can be caused by shoulder trauma like an accident, a hard fall, repetitive motion or athletic injury.

Suprascapular Neuropathy

Suprascapular Neuropathy is a condition where the suprascapular nerve causes pain and instability in the shoulder joint. This can happen if the nerve is overstretched or compressed.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Thoratic Outlet Syndrome is a label given to a group of similar conditions in which nerves and blood vessels can be compressed in the thoracic outlet or the space between the collarbone and the underlying rib. It can be developed by physical trauma or repetitive arm and shoulder movements as well as tumors or poor posture.

Winged Scapula

Winged Scapula is a condition that occurs when the muscle that moves the shoulder forward becomes weak and is no longer able to hold the scapula (shoulder blade) against the back of the rib cage. This result is the scapula sticking out and upwards during physical activities that involve pushing movements or lifting weights.