1. SHOULDER PAIN & PROBLEMS

2. Shoulder Pain and Problems
What is the shoulder?
The shoulder is made up of several layers, including the following:
 Bones - the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula), and the upper arm bone
(humerus).
 Joints - facilitate movement, including the following:
 Sternoclavicular joint (where the clavicle meets the sternum)
 Acromioclavicular (AC) joint (where the clavicle meets the acromion)
 Shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) - a ball-and-socket joint that facilitates
forward, circular, and backward movement of the shoulder.
 Ligaments - a white, shiny, flexible band of fibrous tissue that binds joints together and
connects various bones and cartilage, including the following:
 Joint capsule - a group of ligaments that connect the humerus to the socket of
the shoulder joint on the scapula to stabilize the shoulder and keep it from
dislocating.
 Ligaments that attach the clavicle to the acromion
 Ligaments that connect the clavicle to the scapula by attaching to the coracoid
process

3.  Acromion - the roof (highest point) of the shoulder that is formed by a part of the scapula.
 Tendons - the tough cords of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The rotator cuff
Tendons are a group of tendons that connect the deepest layer of muscles to the humerus.
 Muscles (to help support and rotate the shoulder in many directions)
 Bursa - a closed space between two moving surfaces that has a small amount of
lubricating fluid inside; located between the rotator cuff muscle layer and the outer layer of
large, bulky muscles.
 Rotator cuff - composed of tendons, the rotator cuff (and associated muscles) holds the
ball of the glenohumeral joint at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus).
Shoulder pain may be localized in a specific area or may spread to areas around the
shoulder or down the arm.
What are some of the different types of shoulder problems?
Common shoulder problems include the following:
 Dislocation
The shoulder joint is the most frequently dislocated major joint of the body - often caused
by a significant force that separates the shoulder joint's ball (the top rounded portion of the
upper arm bone, or humerus) away from the joint's socket (glenoid).

4.  Separation.
The shoulder becomes separated when the ligaments attached to the collarbone (clavicle)
are torn, or partially torn, away from the shoulder blade (scapula). Shoulder separation
may be caused by a sudden, forceful blow to the shoulder, or as a result of a fall.
 Bursitis
Bursitis often occurs when tendonitis and impingement syndrome cause inflammation of
the bursa sacs that protect the shoulder.
 Impingement syndrome
Impingement syndrome is caused by the excessive squeezing or rubbing of the rotator cuff
and shoulder blade. The pain associated with the syndrome is a result of an inflamed
bursa (lubricating sac) over the rotator cuff, and/or inflammation of the rotator cuff
tendons, and/or calcium deposits in tendons due to wear and tear. Shoulder impingement
syndrome can lead to a torn rotator cuff.
 Tendonitis
Tendonitis of the shoulder is caused when the rotator cuff and/or biceps tendon become
inflamed, usually as a result of being pinched by surrounding structures. The injury may
vary from mild inflammation to involvement of most of the rotator cuff. When the rotator
cuff tendon becomes inflamed and thickened, it may become trapped under the acromion.
 Rotator cuff tear
A rotator cuff tear involves one or more rotator cuff tendons becoming inflamed from
overuse, aging, a fall on an outstretched hand, or a collision.

5.  Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)
Frozen shoulder is a severely restrictive condition frequently caused by injury that, in
turn, leads to lack of use due to pain. Intermittent periods of use may cause inflammation
and adhesions to grow between the joint surfaces, thus restricting motion. There is also a
lack of synovial fluid to lubricate the gap between the arm bone and socket that normally
helps the shoulder joint to move. This restricted space between the capsule and ball of the
humerus distinguishes adhesive capsulitis from the less complicated condition known as
stiff shoulder.
 Fracture
A fracture is a partial or total crack or break through a bone that usually occurs due to a
impact injury.
What causes shoulder problems?
Although the shoulder is the most movable joint in the body, it is also an unstable joint
because of its range-of-motion. Because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the socket
of the shoulder, it is susceptible to injury. The shoulder joint must also be supported by soft
tissues - muscles, tendons, and ligaments - which are also subject to injury, overuse, and
under use.

6. Degenerative conditions and other diseases in the body may also contribute to shoulder
problems, or generate pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder.
How are shoulder problems diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination (to determine range-of-
motion, location of pain, and level of joint instability/stability), diagnostic procedures for
shoulder problems may include the following:
 X-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce
images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
 Arthrogram - a test in which dye is injected into the shoulder joint and x-rays are taken to
outline structures of the shoulder. When the fluid leaks into an area that it does not belong,
disease or injury may be considered, as a leak would provide evidence of a tear, opening,
or blockage.
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of
large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs
and structures within the body; can often determine damage or disease in a surrounding
ligament or muscle.
Computed tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging
procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-
sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT
scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and
organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.

7.  Electromyogram (EMG) - a test to evaluate nerve and muscle function.
 Ultrasound - a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an
image of the internal organs.
 Laboratory tests (to determine if other problems may be the cause)
 Arthroscopy - a minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions
of a joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted, optic tube (arthroscope) which is inserted
into the joint through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the joint are
projected onto a screen; used to evaluate any degenerative and/or arthritic changes in the
joint; to detect bone diseases and tumors; to determine the cause of bone pain and
inflammation.
Treatment of shoulder problems:
Specific treatment of shoulder problems will be determined by your physician based on:
 your age, overall health, and medical history
 extent of the condition
 your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
 expectations for the course of the condition
 your opinion or preference

8.  Treatment may include:
 activity modification
 rest
 physical therapy
 medications
 surgery

POSTED BY ATTORNEY RENE G. GARCIA:
For more information:- Some of our clients have suffered these kinds of injuries due to a serious
accident. The Garcia Law Firm, P.C. was able to successfully handle these types of cases. For a free
consultation please call us at 1-866- SCAFFOLD or 212-725-1313.
 http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/orthopaedics/joint/shoulder_pain_problem
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