Shoulder dislocation (Instability)

The AC joint is on the top of the shoulder and connects the clavicle (collarbone) to the acromion which is a part of the scapula (shoulder blade).

Normally cartilage caps the end of both bones. This joint is prone to dislocation through a traumatic event such as a fall onto the shoulder or repetitive overhead motions. In the older population arthritis, or loss of cartilage occurs. As this degenerates there may be a loss of the cushioning effect leading to pain.

Sometimes referred to as osteonecrosis, this condition means the bone dies as a result of loss of its blood supply.

This may be due to trauma, which results from a fracture or other factors. AVN usually presents as pain and may also be associated with noise and a crunching sound.

The bicep is a unique muscle because it attaches to the radius bone across the elbow, as well as through two tendons both to the scapula.

Biceps problems are common. They usually result from repetitive motion associated with overhead work or a sudden injury with or without a rupture of the adjacent subscapularis tendon. When the injury is a consequence of chronic inflammation, it is called biceps tendonitis.

The normal shoulder is surrounded by a bursa. Inflammation of the bursa (bursitis) results in pain with overhead movements.

The bursa contains small nerve endings which when inflamed cause pain.

A condition that usually affects individuals over the age of forty and is characterized by accumulation of deposits of calcium in the rotator cuff tendons of the shoulder. In simple terms it means Irritation or inflammation of the tendon where the deposits accumulate. This can also be called Bursitis.

The exact cause is unknown but is thought to occur because of decreased oxygen to the tendon of the rotator cuff as part of the aging process or possibly because of mechanical factors such as pressure on the tendons when the arm is lifted overhead over many years.

The clavicle or (collarbone) is the bone that runs along the front of the shoulder to the breast bone (sternum). It is important to the overall mechanics and function of the shoulder.

Clavicle fractures may be simple mid-shaft fractures that present with pain and bruising. There may also be a deformity or asymmetry of the shoulder due to the movement of the clavicle fracture fragments. A patient may also experience swelling from bleeding (hematoma).

Frozen shoulder or (Adhesive capsulitis) is a term used to describe a stiff shoulder. The patient notices loss of motion usually in more than one direction.

Typically presents as a gradual loss of motion that occurs without trauma.The lining of the shoulder becomes inflamed causing pain and stiffness.

Also known as a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

In a reverse shoulder replacement, the ball of the shoulder (humeral head) is replaced with a socket, and the socket of the shoulder (glenoid) is replaced with a ball. This is a design feature used in arthritis cases where the rotator cuff is torn or unhealthy.

The rotator cuff enables several forms of motion. The rotator cuff may be injured from repetitive overhead motion, a sudden trauma, degenerate with the normal aging process or a combination of all the above. The supraspinatus tendon is the most common tendon torn. Inflammation of the surrounding bursa (Bursitis) often results causing pain with overhead movement.

Impingement is mechanical compression of the rotator cuff against the acromion bone. This condition may occur with or without the development of a rotator cuff tear. Often a tear results in weakness.

In shoulder arthritis the joint space is narrowed and the humeral head (ball) becomes irregular and flattened. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a disease that involves breakdown of the articular cartilage that normally allows the joint to glide smoothly with each other

Cartilage breakdown may be caused by wear and tear over time. Cartilage does not heal when damaged. Instead, the body tries to heal by making more bone and this results in an irregular joint with extra bone spurs called osteophytes. The result is loss of motion due to irregular joint surfaces. In addition, the inflammation caused by the arthritis results in thickening and scarring of the joint capsule which also contributes to loss of motion.

SLAP is an acronym for superior labrum anterior posterior.

A SLAP injury may be caused by a sudden or forceful pull on the biceps as with a fall, or lifting a heavy object, or a trauma with a dislocation of the shoulder, can detach the superior labrum through a strong pull of the biceps tendon. Pain may only be felt with use of your arm in front of your body or you may also have audible clicking and popping in your shoulder.

The sternoclavicular joint is located towards the center of your chest and is the point at which the clavicle (collarbone) and sternum (breastbone) meet.

If the disc or ligaments providing soft tissue pad cushioning between the collarbone and breastbone develops a tear (through injury or wear and tear), it can be very painful. A patient with a tear may feel pain and stiffness at the joint, as well as having clicking and popping from the torn ligaments.

This is a condition due to irritation and compression to the Suprascapular nerve.This is the main nerve which provides feeling to the shoulder joint. It can result in pain, weakness, or both.

Typically it is a chronic condition which is relatively rare, and so it is commonly not diagnosed until other more common causes of shoulder pain have been considered.

The subscapularis, located in the front of the shoulder, is the most powerful of the rotator cuff muscles. Its function is to help the shoulder joint move and create powerful motions (e.g. a tennis stroke or in swimming).

Subscapularis tendon injuries usually occur as the result of a traumatic event, such as a fall, and usually affect individuals who are younger than those who typically present with a supraspinatus tendon tear.