Common Shoulder Conditions

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. Over time, the cartilage cushioning these bones can wear down, causing arthritis. This condition can be a result of aging, post-traumatic changes, or repetitive use of the shoulder joint in sports or work activities. Severity can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. Initial treatment usually involves rest, physical therapy, and medication, but surgery may be required for severe cases.

AC joint separation, also known as a shoulder separation, occurs when the ligaments attached to the clavicle are stretched or torn. This often happens due to a fall directly on the shoulder or an impact during sports or a car accident. Severity ranges from a mild strain to a complete tear where the collarbone and shoulder blade separate. While mild cases may be treated with rest, physical therapy, and pain relievers, severe cases may require surgical intervention to restore normal function.

This condition occurs when the tendon attaching the biceps muscle to the shoulder becomes inflamed, often due to repetitive overhead motions in sports or work activities, or the wear and tear of aging. Biceps tendinitis can cause a dull ache in the front of the shoulder that worsens with overhead activities. Treatment usually starts with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. Physical therapy can be beneficial, and in severe or persistent cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be considered.

This form of arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the shoulder joint (where the humerus meets the scapula) wears down over time, causing pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion. It can result from aging, post-traumatic changes, or repetitive use of the shoulder joint in sports or work activities. The severity can vary from mild wear and tear to severe degeneration. Treatments typically start with lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and medications, but may progress to joint replacement surgery in severe cases.

This condition involves stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint, leading to a decreased range of motion that can range from mild stiffness to severe limitation. While it’s not specific to athletes, it can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform everyday tasks, sports, and work activities. Treatment often involves physical therapy, medication, or in severe cases, a procedure to loosen the joint capsule.

The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder, can be strained or torn through sports like swimming, baseball, and tennis, repetitive work activities, or degenerative processes. Severity ranges from tendinitis to partial and full-thickness tears. Treatments may range from physical therapy and medication to surgical repair in severe cases.

This condition occurs when the shoulder’s rotator cuff tendons are intermittently trapped and compressed during shoulder movements. Severity can be mild or severe, often due to repetitive or overhead arm activities in sports or certain jobs. Treatments typically start with rest, physical therapy, and NSAIDs, but may require surgery in severe or persistent cases.

Shoulder instability happens when the shoulder joint is too loose and slides around too much in the socket, or in severe cases, can completely dislocate. This condition can result from a traumatic injury during sports or falls, repetitive overhead activity, or the gradual wear and tear of aging. Initial treatment typically involves physical therapy, but recurrent instances may necessitate surgical intervention.

SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) tears occur where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum, a ring of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. SLAP tears can result from acute injury, repetitive shoulder motion in sports or work activities, or the degenerative changes that occur with aging. The severity of SLAP tears can range from minor fraying to complete tears. Depending on severity, treatments may include physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgery.