Shoulder Diagnoses

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. It is a ball and socket joint made up of these 3 bones that are held in place by muscles, tendons and ligaments:

  1. Upper Arm (Humerus)
  2. Shoulder Blade (Scapula)
  3. Collarbone (Clavicle)

Because of its extreme mobility, the shoulder can be more susceptible to injury. Some causes of shoulder pain may be:

  • Arthritis – degenerative changes to the ball and socket joint.
  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) - when the shoulder progressively becomes more painful and progressively loses motion in all directions.
  • Shoulder Dislocation/subluxation/Instability - when passive restraints to shoulder stability become compromised and the muscles are unable to effectively and efficiently perform their job. This condition can cause pain and shoulder unsteadiness.
  • Shoulder (A-C Separation) – Loss of the elasticity of the ligaments connecting the collarbone and shoulder blade through traumatic injury or prolonged stress.
  • Shoulder Fractures - broken bone in the shoulder.
  • Rotator Cuff Symptoms - typically caused by over use or traumatic event of the shoulder. The rotator cuff is comprised of 4 muscles (Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis). Our therapists are trained to identify which muscle/tendon is involved and guide treatment towards that area.
  • Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Tear - injury to the labrum of the shoulder (ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint).
  • Shoulder Impingement – Diagnosis that consists of pain/symptoms that occur at or above the shoulder level with daily activities. Our therapists will identify if the causative factor is muscle, joint, or an inefficiency in your movement patterns.
  • Bursitis - irritation of one or more bursae.
  • Tendinitis - inflammation or irritation in the cord-like structure (tendon) attaching muscle to bone.
  • Cervical Radiculopathy – "pinched" nerve in the neck.
  • Whiplash - injury to ligaments and muscles in the neck.
  • Symptoms of Cervical Disc Origin – this may cause a change in sensation, strength or reflexes in your arm/hand or may refer pain into your shoulder blade region (medial scapular border).

Shoulder pain due to cervical radiculopathy, whiplash or cervical discs is actually referred from the neck. Shoulder pain can also result from gallbladder disease (referred pain to the right shoulder) or even a heart attack (referred pain typically to the left shoulder).

Physical Therapy for Shoulder Pain

Are you suffering from shoulder pain?
Call us today to set up an appointment!