What are the different types of Shoulder Injuries?

Shoulder injuries can vary widely in type and severity, often depending on the cause and mechanism of injury. Here are some common types:

1. Rotator Cuff Tear: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, providing stability and facilitating movement. Tears can occur due to overuse, trauma, or degeneration.
2. Shoulder Dislocation: This happens when the upper arm bone (humerus) pops out of the socket (glenoid) of the shoulder blade (scapula). Dislocations often result from trauma or sports injuries.
3. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: This occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become pinched between the bones of the shoulder, particularly during overhead movements. It can lead to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
4. Labral Tear: The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the rim of the shoulder socket, providing stability. Tears can happen from acute trauma, repetitive motions, or degeneration, causing pain and instability.
5. Shoulder Bursitis: Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles around joints. Inflammation of the bursa in the shoulder can result from overuse, trauma, or underlying conditions like arthritis.
6. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis): This condition involves stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, often resulting from inflammation and thickening of the shoulder capsule. It can limit mobility and typically progresses through three stages: freezing, frozen, and thawing.
7. Shoulder Fractures: Fractures can occur in any of the bones that make up the shoulder, including the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. These injuries can be caused by trauma, falls, or sports accidents.
8. Shoulder Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder, often due to overuse or repetitive movements. It can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
9. SLAP Tear (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior): This is a specific type of labral tear that affects the top portion of the labrum, often resulting from repetitive overhead motions or acute trauma, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm.
10. AC Joint Separation: This injury involves damage to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, which connects the clavicle to the acromion process of the scapula. It's commonly caused by falls onto the shoulder or direct trauma to the joint.

These are just a few examples, and there are other less common shoulder injuries as well. Treatment for shoulder injuries varies depending on the specific type and severity of the injury, but may include rest, physical therapy, medication, injections, or surgery. Contact our office if you have questions about your shoulder injury.