Understanding
Your Shoulder
A Guide To It’s Key Parts
The Shoulder
The shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in the body, allowing you to reach, lift, and move in almost any direction. However, this flexibility can sometimes make it less stable, leading to injuries.
Let’s use an example to help explain: Imagine a 40-year-old woman, active in yoga and swimming. One day, she noticed pain while lifting her arm above her head during yoga class. Over time, she struggled with daily tasks like reaching into the cupboard or putting on a jacket. She decided to visit an orthopaedic surgeon, who explained that her shoulder pain was likely due to inflammation in her rotator cuff and bursa. But what exactly are these parts of the shoulder?
The Key Parts of Your Shoulder
Humerus (the upper arm bone)
Scapula (shoulder blade)
The Patella (Kneecap)
The main shoulder joint, called the glenohumeral joint, is where the ball of the humerus fits into a shallow socket on the scapula. Think of it like a golf ball resting on a tee. The shoulder has other smaller joints, like the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and the sternoclavicular (SC) joint, which all work together to give your shoulder its wide range of motion.
Ligaments and Tendons
Ligaments are strong tissues that connect bones and keep the joint stable. The shoulder has important ligaments like the labrum, which deepens the socket, and the rotator cuff, a group of tendons that help stabilize the joint. In our example, the woman’s rotator cuff tendons were inflamed, causing pain.
Muscles
The rotator cuff muscles help you lift and rotate your arm. The deltoid muscle, which forms the outer part of the shoulder, helps raise the arm out to the side. These muscles work together for everyday activities like dressing, lifting, or playing sports.
Nerves and Blood Vessels
Important nerves, like the axillary nerve, power the shoulder muscles and help move the arm. Blood is supplied by the axillary artery, ensuring your shoulder and arm get the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Bursa
A bursa is a small sac filled with fluid that reduces friction in your shoulder when you move. In our case example, the woman’s subacromial bursa was swollen, causing even more pain when she lifted her arm.
Why Shoulder Pain Happens?
In cases like the one we’ve described, shoulder pain can result from issues like inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons or the bursa. While these are common problems, they can be treated effectively. If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, don’t wait to get an assessment—early treatment can prevent the problem from getting worse.
SHOULDER INJURIES
Click on each slide to learn more:
Labral Tears
Labral tears are a frequent issue among athletes, particularly those involved in sports like basketball or volleyball, which require repetitive overhead movements.
Rotator Cuff Tears
A common shoulder injury that can affect both young, active athletes and people in middle age. Leads to significant pain, weakness, difficulty in movement.
Shoulder Dislocation
Occurs when the ball at the top of the arm bone (humerus) pops out of its socket, called the glenoid. The dislocation can occur in different directions.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the tendons of your rotator cuff get pinched against the roof of your shoulder joint, known as the acromion.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
A condition where your shoulder becomes painful and stiff, limiting your range of motion. It commonly affects adults between 40 and 60 years of age.
Quadrilateral Space Syndrome
Quadrilateral Space Syndrome is a condition caused by compression of the axillary nerve, which can lead to a mix of bothersome symptoms.
Biceps Rupture
A biceps rupture is when the main tendon connecting your biceps muscle to the shoulder tears completely. This happens due to long-term wear & tear.
Biceps Tendonitis
Biceps tendonitis is when the tendon connecting your biceps muscle to the shoulder becomes inflamed. This often happens due to repetitive activities.
Calcific Tendonitis
Occurs when calcium deposits form in the tendons of the shoulder, specifically in the rotator cuff. They cause inflammation, pain, reduced shoulder movement.
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Separation
The AC joint connects the acromion (a part of the shoulder blade) to the clavicle. This joint is crucial as it helps transfer forces from the shoulder blade to the collarbone.
Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that stabilize the shoulder and enable smooth arm movement. When these tendons are torn, the shoulder becomes unstable.
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Arthritis
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is where your collarbone meets the shoulder blade. This joint helps transfer forces from your arm to the center of your body.