Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain Shoulder pain is most commonly associated with injuries to the muscles, tendons and ligaments within the shoulder. However, this pain can also originate from the area of the cervical spine and radiate from the neck down into the shoulder and the arms (Figure 1). There are two main joints within the shoulder, which include the acromioclavicular joint and the glenohumeral joint (Figure 2). The acromion and the clavicle (collar bone) combine to form the AC joint. The coracoid process is a thick curved structure attached to the upper part of the scapula (shoulder blade). The glenohumeral joint is a ball and socket joint, which involves articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid fossa of the scapula. There are five major muslces of the shoulder joint that are responsible for the movement of the shoulder. In the front portion of the shoulder, originating from the scapula, the muscles involved are the subscapularis muscle and the biceps muscles (Figure 3). The supraspinatus is a relatively small muscle that runs from the top portion of the scapula which inserts into the top of the humeral head. From that back position, the muscles of the shoulder joint include the infraspinatus muscle and the teres minor muslces (Figure 3). These muscles of the shoulder combine to form a thick cuff that is important in stabilizing the shoulder as well as elevating and rotating the arm. Elevation of the arm causes squeezing of the bursa locate...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news