According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 4,000,000 U.S. citizens suffer shoulder problems yearly. Shoulder issues include sprains, strains, and dislocations. Even simple, day-to-day tasks become difficult with shoulder pain.
Common shoulder problems are:
- Rotator Cuff Tears: Especially common in people over age 40, the muscles and tendons that surround the top of your upper arm bone are torn by repetitive overhead motion or injury. Symptoms include persistent pain when your arm is raised high and limited motion.
- Shoulder Dislocations: Your shoulder joint can move in infintely different directions. If the high upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder socket, even slightly, youhave a partial dislocation. A complete dislocation is when the shoulder comes completely out of the socket. Frequent shoulder dislocation is known as shoulder instability.
- Impingements: A common shoulder problems in adults, the shoulder is lifted and the acromion gets in the way of the rotator cuff, causing rubbing on the rotator cuff surface. Pain and stiffness is felt when lifting the arm. There may be some swelling in the shoulder front.
- Arthritis: The pair of joints that make up the shoulder can both be affected by arthritis.
- Broken Collar Bones: Typically caused by a fall and common common among impact sports performers.