Shoulder Disorders and Injuries by Dr Jeffrey BudoffTop Houston Shoulder surgeon

These injuries can result from overuse, repetitive overhead motions, aging, or acute trauma such as a fall. Symptoms often include shoulder pain, weakness, limited range of motion, and difficulty performing everyday tasks like reaching or lifting. Treatment depends on the severity and may include rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, or surgical repair in more severe or persistent cases to restore strength and function.

Common symptoms include shoulder pain, especially at night, weakness when lifting or rotating the arm, and a crackling sensation during movement. Some people may also experience difficulty with everyday tasks like combing hair or reaching overhead. Treatment options range from rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications to surgical repair for larger or more severe tears to restore shoulder strength and mobility.

Tears can occur from acute trauma, repetitive overhead movements, or degenerative wear over time. Symptoms may include weakness with internal rotation, shoulder pain, limited range of motion, and difficulty with activities like tucking in a shirt or reaching behind the back. Treatment may involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and in more severe cases, surgical repair to restore

These conditions can develop from overuse, repetitive lifting, or aging-related degeneration. Common symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder, weakness during lifting or overhead activities, and a clicking or snapping sensation. In some cases, the tendon may rupture, causing a visible bulge in the upper arm. Treatment ranges from rest and physical therapy to corticosteroid injections or surgical intervention, depending on the severity and impact on daily activities.

This condition often results from trauma, repetitive overhead activity, or loose ligaments, and can cause pain, weakness, a feeling of the shoulder “slipping out,” and limited range of motion. Recurrent dislocations are common, especially in younger individuals or athletes. Treatment may involve rest, strengthening exercises, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical stabilization to restore proper shoulder function and prevent future episodes.

These tears often occur from repetitive overhead motions, heavy lifting, or trauma such as a fall or sudden pulling movement. Common symptoms include deep shoulder pain, clicking or popping sounds, decreased strength, and limited range of motion—especially during throwing or lifting activities. Diagnosis often requires imaging and physical evaluation. Treatment may include rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications, with surgery considered for persistent or severe cases to repair the torn labrum and restore stability.

This type of injury often occurs during heavy lifting, particularly in activities like bench pressing, and can result in sudden pain, bruising, weakness, and a visible deformity in the chest or upper arm. Surgical repair involves reattaching the tendon to the bone to restore strength and function. Recovery typically includes a period of immobilization followed by physical therapy, and most patients regain full or near-full use of the shoulder and arm with proper treatment.

These injuries are often caused by direct trauma, such as a fall onto the shoulder or collision during sports. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, swelling, bruising, a visible bump, and difficulty lifting the arm. Mild cases (subluxation or partial separation) can often be managed with rest, ice, and physical therapy, while more severe dislocations may require surgical repair to restore joint alignment and shoulder stability.

Commonly develops from wear and tear over time, prior injuries, or repetitive overhead activities. Symptoms include pain at the top of the shoulder, tenderness, limited range of motion, and discomfort with movements like reaching across the body or lifting overhead. Treatment often begins with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections. In more advanced cases, surgery may be considered to relieve pain and improve shoulder function.

This condition can result from repetitive overhead activity, trauma, cysts, or shoulder instability. Symptoms may include deep, dull shoulder pain, weakness in shoulder rotation or elevation, and muscle atrophy over time. Diagnosis typically involves imaging and nerve studies. Treatment may include rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications, with surgical decompression considered for persistent or severe cases to relieve pressure and restore function.

These fractures typically cause immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and a noticeable bump or deformity over the collarbone. Movement of the arm or shoulder may be limited and painful. Most clavicle fractures heal well with non-surgical treatment, including a sling, rest, and physical therapy. However, more severe or displaced fractures may require surgical fixation to realign the bone and ensure proper healing and shoulder function.

Typically develops gradually and progresses through stages—freezing, frozen, and thawing—over several months. The condition occurs when the shoulder capsule thickens and tightens, restricting movement. It’s more common in individuals over 40 and those with certain medical conditions like diabetes or after periods of shoulder immobility. Treatment includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and in some cases, corticosteroid injections or surgical intervention to help restore movement and reduce discomfort.

Shoulder and arm pain can stem from a variety of causes, including muscle strains, tendon or ligament injuries, nerve compression, joint arthritis, or referred pain from the neck. It may present as sharp, dull, aching, or radiating discomfort and can be accompanied by weakness, stiffness, numbness, or limited range of motion. Common conditions include rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, or cervical spine issues. Accurate diagnosis through physical examination and imaging is key to determining the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the source and may involve rest, physical therapy, medications, or in some cases, surgical intervention.