Shoulder Conditions
Shoulder injuries can happen suddenly, or develop over time from everyday movement and activity. When an injury occurs, the shoulder’s ability to function is disrupted, impacting the intricate workings of bones, muscles, ligaments and other structures.
Rotator Cuff Tear Symptoms
Rotator cuff tears occur when a muscle or tendon tears in the cuff surrounding the shoulder joint.
- Pain in upper arm and shoulder
- Stiffness
- Loss of movement
- Night-time pain may affect sleep
- Weakness or limited strength
- Difficulty with tasks involving the shoulder
- Symptoms may be gradual or sudden, if resulting from an injury
Impingement Symptoms
Shoulder impingement means that the rotator cuff becomes pinched between two shoulder bones when the arm is raised.
- Pain at top of shoulder, during activity or at rest
- Sensitive/painful to touch
- Radiating pain from front of shoulder to side of arm
- Gradual increase in pain with shoulder activities
- Swelling and tenderness in area
- Reduction of strength or movement
- Pain at night, affecting sleep
SLAP Tear Symptoms
A SLAP tear, or Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior, is an injury to the labrum, the shoulder socket lining, where it attaches to the bicep.
- Pain in front of shoulder or deep in joint
- Sensation of the joint catching or grinding
- Pain with overhead movement
Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis of the shoulder develops when the joint’s cartilage and lining deteriorate, causing pain and swelling.
- Limited range of movement
- Swelling and stiffness around shoulder
- Pain during tasks that use the shoulder
- Pain at night that may affect sleep
- Tenderness near joint
- Sensation of grinding or joint getting momentarily stuck in one position
Separation Symptoms
Shoulder separation occurs when the normal alignment is disrupted in the acromioclavicular joint.
- Pain, swelling and bruising in shoulder
- Shoulder may look noticeably out of position
- A bulge or bump on the top of the shoulder
Traumatic Shoulder Instability Symptoms
Traumatic shoulder instability occurs when the normal ball in socket formation is disrupted from several shoulder dislocations.
- Several prior shoulder dislocations
- Feeling that shoulder may move out of the socket
