Shoulder
Types of Injuries
The shoulder is responsible for so many different movements in sports and training activities. As an incredibly mobile joint, the shoulder is also highly vulnerable to injury.
Most shoulder problems treated in athletes involve the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, rather than bones. Shoulder injuries commonly seen include sprains, strains, dislocations, separations, tendonitis, bursitis, torn rotator cuffs, frozen shoulder, fractures, and arthritis. The Geisinger Sports Medicine team applies modern technology and therapy techniques to help injured ball players, swimmers, football players, and other athletes recover from shoulder injuries.
- Rotator Cuff Tears - The rotator cuff’s job is to hold the top of the arm (humerus) to the shoulder (scapula). Rotator cuff muscles and tendons are frequently injured in throwing sports where repetitive overhead motions are used, or in tackling sports where arm impacts or falls are common. Rotator cuff tears are also commonly seen in older athletes experiencing loss of muscle and tendon tissue.
- Tendonitis - Shoulder tendonitis, also referred to as rotator cuff tendonitis or shoulder bursitis, is a condition of inflammation of the tendons that can have painful consequences. Simple inflammation can worsen to cause partial or complete tendon tears.
- Dislocation - A shoulder dislocation, when the arm bone pops out of its place in the socket, may result after a hard fall or a sudden overextension of the joint. Some athletes experience recurring shoulder dislocation, referred to as shoulder instability.
Don’t let an injury keep you on the bench. Schedule your Geisinger Sports Medicine appointment today.