Sprains and Strains—Shoulder Injuries and Disorders

Your shoulder joint is composed of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone). Your shoulders are the most movable joints in your body. They can also be unstable because the ball of the upper arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it. To remain in a stable or normal position, the shoulder must be anchored by muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because your shoulder can be unstable, it can be easily injured. Common problems include

• Sprains and strains
• Dislocations
• Separations
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Torn rotator cuffs
• Frozen shoulder
• Fractures
• Arthritis

Health care providers diagnose shoulder problems by using your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests.

Often, the first treatment for shoulder problems is RICE. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Other treatments include exercise and medicines to reduce pain and swelling. If those don’t work, you may need surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

• Brachial plexopathy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Broken collarbone – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dislocated shoulder – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Frozen shoulder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Frozen shoulder – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Shoulder arthroscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Shoulder CT scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Shoulder MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Shoulder pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Using your shoulder after surgery (Medical Encyclopedia)

A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a joint. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can all cause a sprain. Ankle and wrist sprains are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and being unable to move your joint. You might feel a pop or tear when the injury happens.

A strain is a stretched or torn muscle or tendon. Tendons are tissues that connect muscle to bone. Twisting or pulling these tissues can cause a strain. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over time. Back and hamstring muscle strains are common. Many people get strains playing sports. Symptoms include pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and trouble moving the muscle.

At first, treatment of both sprains and strains usually involves resting the injured area, icing it, wearing a bandage or device that compresses the area, and medicines. Later treatment might include exercise and physical therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

• Ankle sprain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Elbow sprain — aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Foot sprain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hamstring strain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hip flexor strain — aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Sprains (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Strains (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tendon repair (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Wrist sprain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)