Type: Shoulder Pain

Common Shoulder Problems
Diagnosis of Shoulder Problems
Treatment of Shoulder Problems
Other Treatments of Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is the most movable joint in the body. However, it is an unstable joint because of the range of motion allowed. It is easily subject to injury because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain stable, the shoulder must be anchored by its muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some shoulder problems arise from the disruption of these soft tissues as a result of injury or from overuse or underuse of the shoulder. Other problems arise from a degenerative process in which tissues break down and no longer function well.

Shoulder pain may be localized or may be referred to areas around the shoulder or down the arm. Disease within the body (such as gallbladder, liver, or heart disease, or disease of the cervical spine of the neck) also may generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder.

The shoulder typically involves 2 bones whereas a joint is formed by the ends of 2 or more bones that are connected by thick bands of tissue called ligaments. The shoulder typically involves 2 bones:

The scapula (shoulder blade)
The humerus (upper arm bone)

The rotator cuff – 4 muscles connecting the humerus with the scapula – supplies stability and balance to the shoulder joint. Proper rotator cuff balance is essential for arm raising and rotation. When you raise your arm, the rotator cuff holds the humeral head tightly within the socket (glenoid) of the scapula.

A smooth substance called articular cartilage covers the surface of the bones where they touch each other within a joint. This articular cartilage acts as a cushion between the bones. In addition, lubricated sacs of tissue called bursae (singular: bursa) also protect muscles and tendons, allowing them to slide against each other with less friction.