Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
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 (broken bones)
- 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
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Cortisone Shots · Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Direct Arthrography · Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal MRI · Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound · Radiological Society of North America
- Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Rehabilitation Exercises · American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Shoulder Arthroscopy · American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Questions for your care team
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- Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
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- When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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