Are you struggling with shoulder pain? If that’s the case, you aren’t alone. Our shoulders are the most mobile joints in our bodies and, for that reason, they are oftentimes the most unstable.

Because of their complex bone structure, shoulder injuries are fairly common. People like athletes, construction workers, painters, and anyone else who frequently puts pressure on their shoulders can suffer from a wide range of shoulder injuries.

Wondering what are the most common types of shoulder injuries? Today, our skilled team of orthopaedic surgeons is answering that very question. If one of these injuries sounds like it pertains to you, consult with a certified professional for next steps.

Here are some of the most common types of shoulder injuries:

1.Shoulder Tears

Shoulder tears are injuries to the shoulder’s soft tissue, including the muscles and tendons that give our shoulder motion. A torn rotator cuff (the muscles and tendons that allow us to lift our arms overhead) is a common example of a shoulder tear.

Shoulder tears can occur in a fall, from overuse, or simply as a result of the aging process. If you’ve torn your shoulder, you will probably experience pain coming from the afflicted shoulder, a dull or achy sensation, or weakness when moving that shoulder.

2. Shoulder Fractures

Another common type of shoulder injury is a shoulder fracture, which is exactly what it sounds like. A shoulder fracture is a break in the shoulder bone, typically occurring if you have taken a bad fall or hit to the shoulder.

Of all the possible shoulder fractures, the most common include a broken collarbone or broken humerus. If you break your collarbone, your arm might sag and you probably won’t be able to lift it. Regardless of where you fracture your shoulder, you will likely face quite a bit of pain and maybe some bruising.

3. Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder occurs when abnormal tissues build up in the joint and prevent your shoulder from moving freely. Shoulders can “freeze” from pain or simply because they haven’t been used in a while (post-surgery, for example).

Frozen shoulder typically starts not so bad, but it becomes worse if it is left untreated. However, unlike more traditional shoulder injuries, frozen shoulder isn’t usually identified as the cause of someone’s shoulder pain until later on.

Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a frozen shoulder, which include an inability to move the shoulder, pain, and an achy sensation (even when it is not in use).

4. Shoulder Impingement

This type of shoulder injury occurs when a rotator cuff tendon gets pinched between your shoulder bones. As you can probably imagine, it causes extreme discomfort, pain, swelling, and inflammation around the rotator cuff area.

Shoulder impingements frequently happen to athletes and those who participate in activities that require repeated overhead movement. Swimmers suffer from shoulder impingement so often that it is nicknamed “swimmer’s shoulder.”

Best Orthopaedic Surgeons in Garden City, MI

While these are the most common types of shoulder injuries, it doesn’t matter if you’re suffering from a rotator cuff tear, a broken collarbone, or shoulder impingement. If you have any sort of shoulder injury, then you should get in touch with a licensed professional who can examine your injury and provide you with options for next steps.

If you’re wondering why your shoulder hurts, our skilled team of orthopaedic surgeons is here to help. Contact our orthopaedic team today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your shoulder pain.