Four Common Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries and disorders often involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the shoulder.  These are easily susceptible to rips or tears if not properly stretched or even overworked.  Shoulder injuries can be painful and range in severity, sometimes even requiring surgical repair.  When you are experiencing shoulder pain or discomfort, you should see a trusted orthopedic surgeon in Deltona to diagnose and treat your injury or condition.  There are a few common shoulder injuries or disorders that can cause pain and discomfort in our patients.

Dislocated Shoulder

Because the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, it is easily susceptible to dislocation.  This causes weakness or tingling down your neck or arm, which can increase in intensity if your nearby muscles are affected.  If you notice that your shoulder looks out of place and you are in intense pain, you are likely suffering from a dislocated shoulder.  This will require immediate treatment from an orthopedic surgeon in Deltona.  Treatments range from medication to rehabilitation to surgery, depending on the severity of the injury.

SLAP Tear

A SLAP Tear is a Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Tear, which is when you have a decreased range of motion in your shoulder, popping or locking, and pain when you use your shoulder muscles to perform activities.  The primary cause is athletics, especially sports that involve frequent throwing.   SLAP Tears are actually nonsurgical to treat, and they typically only require medication and some physical therapy to remedy.

Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is the group of muscles that surrounds the shoulder, and these can easily tear when you perform frequent overhead movements.  This commonly occurs in athletes, laborers, or those of older ages.  The most common symptom is the sensation of a chronic mild ache in the shoulder that also causes a weak arm and difficult moving your shoulder.  Depending on the severity of the rotator cuff tear injury, you could require surgical treatments in order to fully repair the damage.

Arthritis in the Shoulder

Osteoarthritis, which is a condition that causes the breakdown of cartilage to wear down over time, can wear down the cartilage around the shoulder.  This causes pain when the bones of the joint constantly rub together once the cartilage has diminished.  Patients often complain of decreased range of motion, painful grinding or clicking, and chronic shoulder pain.  The treatment options often vary depending on the severity and progression of the arthritis.  

These are a just a few of the most common shoulder injuries or disorders that bring patients into see our orthopedic surgeon in Deltona.  If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your shoulder, contact us today to schedule an appointment.  Our expert doctors and surgeons can provide state-of-the-art treatment so that you can live a pain-free life.