Shoulder injuries have become more prevalent in the recent times. Almost 7 million people annually visit doctors nationally for shoulder and upper arm sprains and strains. One of the common shoulder problem reported in most hospitals has to do with the rotator cuff. Most cases of shoulder injuries are a result of sporting activities that require excessive and repetitive overhead motions. Some of these activities include playing tennis, swimming, and weightlifting. Besides sports, shoulder injuries can result from daily activities such as painting or manually cleaning walls, gardening, or lifting objects overhead.

A shoulder injury is characterized by pain, stiffness, inability to rotate the arm in its normal movements, and a feeling of the shoulder being out of its socket. Any of the above feelings will require a visit to an orthopedic surgeon to determine the extent of the injury.

Common injuries to the shoulder affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Orthopedic specialists categorize shoulder problems as either instability or impingement. Instability refers to a condition where the shoulder is forced out of its position resulting in a dislocation of the joint. If you have an instability shoulder problem you will experience pain when lifting your arm as well as a feeling of the shoulder moving out of its socket. Impingement refers to shoulder injuries caused by excessive grinding of the shoulder muscles against the acromion, which is the upper section of the shoulder blade due to repeated overhead arm motions. You should consult a doctor whenever you develop an inflammation in the shoulder. Most people tend to ignore shoulder pain and injury which only worsens the condition and might possibly lead to severe complications. Weakness in the upper arms and limitation of joint movements are usually indicators of a problem in the shoulder joint. It is important to visit an orthopedic specialist in such cases.