SHOULDER
WHAT IS THE SHOULDER?
The shoulder is one of the largest joints in the body. It is composed of three bones: the clavicle, the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) and the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is comprised of a group of muscles and tendons that hold the three shoulder joints in place. The rotator cuff is what provides the ability to lift your arm and reach overhead.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON SHOULDER DISORDERS?
Most problems of the shoulder joint involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons rather than bones. Orthopedists group shoulder problems into the following two categories.
Instability: A shoulder dislocation that involves one of the three shoulder joints when it is moved or forced out of its normal position. Individuals suffering from an instability problem will experience pain when raising their arm or feel that the shoulder has slipped out of place. Depending on severity, treatment ranges from physical therapy to outpatient surgery.
Impingement: An inflammation of the rotator cuff caused by excessive rubbing with the top part of your shoulder blade usually sustained when participating in excessive overhead motion. Depending on the severity of this injury, it’s treatment ranges from physical therapy to outpatient surgery.
Often people ignore shoulder injuries that aggravate the condition, and cause more problems. Individuals also underestimate the extent of their injuries because they can become adapted to the steady pain, weakness in the arm, or limitations of joint motion.