Shoulder

SHOULDER PAIN

How does the shoulder work?

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. The main shoulder joint is a ball-and socket joint, which allows a very wide range of movement. The joint is surrounded by a tough fibrous sleeve called the capsule, which helps to hold the joint together.

A group of four muscles and their tendons make up the rotator cuff, which controls movement and also helps to hold the joint together.

There's another smaller joint where the top of the shoulder blade meets the collarbone.

What causes shoulder pain?

There are many causes of shoulder pain, but most cases will only affect a small area and are relatively short-lived.

Shoulder pain may also be part of a general condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

Shoulder pain isn't always caused by a problem in the shoulder joint – problems in the neck can cause pain that's felt over the shoulder blade or in the upper outer arm.

Problems affecting the shoulder are:

  • Problems with the joint e.g frozen shoulder or osteo arthritis
  • Problems with the muscles e.g rotator cuff problems, impingement
  • Problems with joint, capsulae, muscles e.g dislocation or instability

For more information on these, please look at the related articles about  'Frozen Shoulder', 'Unstable Shoulder' and  'Rotator Cuff Injury'
 

FROZEN SHOULDER

What is 'frozen shoulder'?

ROTATOR CUFF INJURY

What is Rotator Cuff Injury?

UNSTABLE SHOULDER

What is an Unstable Shoulder?