You may not recall having a specific
injury, especially if symptoms began gradually or during everyday activities.
Overuse injuries occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other
tissue, often by overdoing an activity or through repetition of an activity.
Overuse injuries include:
- Inflammation of the sac of fluid that cushions
and lubricates the joint area between one bone and another bone, a tendon, or
the skin (bursitis).
- Inflammation of the tough,
ropy fibers that connect muscles to bones (tendinitis).
Bicipital tendinitis is an inflammation of one of the
tendons that attach the muscle (biceps) on the front of the upper arm bone
(humerus) to the shoulder joint. The inflammation usually occurs along the
groove (bicipital groove) where the tendon passes over the humerus to attach
just above the shoulder joint.
frozen shoulder, which is a condition that limits
shoulder movement and may follow an injury.
- Overhead arm
movements, which may cause tendons to rub or scrape against a part of the
shoulder blade called the acromion. This rubbing or scraping may lead to
abrasion or inflammation of the
rotator cuff tendons (also called
Overuse and acute
injuries are common causes of shoulder symptoms. Less common causes of shoulder
Treatment for a shoulder injury may include
first aid measures, physical therapy, medicine, and, in some cases, surgery.
Treatment depends on:
- The location, type, and severity of the
- How long ago the injury occurred.
- Your age,
health condition, and activities, such as work, sports, or hobbies.
Check your symptoms to decide if and when
you should see a doctor.