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Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
Summary
Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
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.
Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don’t work, you may need surgery.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Specifics
- Arthritis of the Shoulder American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Chronic Shoulder Instability American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Clavicle Fracture (Broken Collarbone) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Frozen Shoulder American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Separated Shoulder Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Shoulder Fracture American Society for Surgery of the Hand
- Shoulder Instability American Academy of Family Physicians
- Shoulder Trauma (Fractures and Dislocations) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- SLAP Tears American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Tendinitis (Bursitis) American College of Rheumatology
Patient Handouts
- Brachial plexopathy Medical Encyclopedia
- Broken collarbone – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
- Frozen shoulder Medical Encyclopedia
- Frozen shoulder – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder arthroscopy Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder pain Medical Encyclopedia
- Using your shoulder after surgery Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Shoulder Dislocation National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Shoulder Fractures National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Shoulder Injuries National Institutes of Health
Treatments and Therapies
- Cortisone Shots Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Joint and Soft Tissue Injections American Academy of Family Physicians
- Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Rehabilitation Exercises American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Shoulder Arthroscopy American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Shoulder Joint Replacement American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Diagnosis and Tests
- Direct Arthrography Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal MRI Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America
- Shoulder MRI Radiological Society of North America
Encyclopedia
- Fractured clavicle in the newborn Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder replacement Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder replacement – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder separation – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
- Shoulder surgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Using your shoulder after replacement surgery Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) Muscular Dystrophy Association
Find an Expert
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Journal Articles
Start Here
- Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Shoulder Problems (Symptom Checker) American Academy of Family Physicians