Among all of the joints in the human body, the shoulder is gifted with the most flexibility and greatest range of motion, allowing for a wide variety of movements, such as flexion, extension, neutral and horizontal abduction, neutral and horizontal adduction, neutral and horizontal internal rotation, among others.
Such amazing flexibility and mobility, however, are not without a drawback. Because the shoulder is essentially a shallow ball-and-socket joint sitting upon the moving platform of the shoulder blade, it also happens to be the least stable and highly prone to injuries.
Let’s explore a few of the most common types of shoulder injuries along with their causes and symptoms.
Fractures
A shoulder fracture refers to a break in one of the three bones that comprise the shoulder— the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). A shoulder fracture is caused by an injury or trauma to the shoulder from a car accident, fall, sports injury, or anything that involves a direct blow to the joint.
Some of the common symptoms of shoulder fractures include pain, discoloration around the upper arm, bump or deformity, swelling, and tenderness.
Dislocation
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the humerus pops out of its socket due to extreme rotation, or tremendous blow to the shoulder, which can happen during vehicular accidents, falls, and collision sports.
Symptoms of a shoulder dislocation include the following:
- Bruising and swelling
- Difficulty moving the joint
- Intense pain
- Numbness and tingling sensation in surrounding structures (e.g., neck and your upper arm)
- Shoulder instability
- Visible deformity or displacement
Rotator Cuff Injury
A rotator cuff injury is a strain or tear sustained in the rotator cuff—the group of four muscles and tendons that provides the shoulder with stability and allows for arm lifting and rotation.
A rotator cuff injury is either acute or chronic. Acute rotator cuff injury is commonly caused by falling on an outstretched hand, while chronic rotator cuff injury happens gradually and is caused by prolonged heavy lifting or repetitive overhead activity.
The injury is typically characterized by a dull but deep ache that can disrupt sleep and is accompanied by muscle weakness, limited ability to move the arm, and popping sensation (crepitus).
Shoulder Injury Treatment in Baltimore, Maryland
Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a high-achieving athlete, or a blue-collar worker in need of high-quality care for your shoulder problem, visit us at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons provide proven effective solutions for the full range of conditions and injuries affecting the shoulder and the rest of the structures of the upper extremity.
Call our staff today at (410) 296-6232 or request an appointment online to see one of our orthopedic surgeons.
