The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body, making it the most susceptible to instability and injury. It is a ‘ball-and-socket’ joint. A ‘ball’ at the top of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits neatly into a ‘socket’, called the glenoid, which is part of the shoulder blade (scapula).
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Shoulder instability is a chronic condition that causes frequent dislocation of the shoulder joint. A dislocation occurs when the end of the humerus (the ball portion) partially or completely dislocates from the glenoid (the socket portion) of the shoulder.
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A rotator cuff is a group of tendons in the shoulder joint that provides support and enables a wide range of motion. A major injury to the shoulder may result in a rotator cuff tear. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in middle-aged adults and older individuals.
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Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition characterized by pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It is more common in older adults aged between 40 and 60 years, and is more common in women than men.
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Shoulder impingement is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder joint. It is one of the most common causes of pain in the adult shoulder. The shoulder is a ‘ball-and-socket’ joint.
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The clavicle or the collarbone is the bone that connects the sternum or breastbone to the shoulder. A clavicle fracture or broken collarbone is a very common sports injury seen in people who are involved in contact sports such as football and martial arts, as well as impact sports such as motor racing.
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Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical procedure performed for joint problems. Shoulder arthroscopy is performed using a pencil-sized instrument called an arthroscope.
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Shoulder joint replacements are usually done to relieve pain and when all non-operative treatment options to relieve pain have failed.
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Click on the topics below to find out more from the orthopaedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.