Labral Tear
Tears to the tissue in the shoulder, the labrum, can cause intense pain and difficulty in movement. This can sometimes feel like grinding or locking while moving the shoulder.
The two most common types of labral shoulder tears are SLAP (superior labrum from anterior to posterior) tears and bankart tears.
While these tears are hard to prevent, treatment options can bring relief from the symptoms.
Rotator Cuff Tear
The rotator cuff comprises muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Tearing or injuring the rotator cuff is a common injury that can produce symptoms like a dull ache that often worsens at night.
Symptoms can reduce arm movement, make the arms weaker, and disturb sleep. In some cases, the injury does not even cause pain.
Biceps Tear
Bicep tears can occur at the shoulder, which can cause a person to lose strength in the affected arm, as well as pain and swelling. This tear may be partial or complete. It can be caused or worsened by overuse.
Symptoms can include sharp pain in the upper arm, an audible snap noise, and decreased range of movement within the arm.
Instability
Patients can develop shoulder instability when parts of the shoulder, such as the joint, become stretched or torn. This allows the shoulder to make out of the socket.
This typically causes pain whenever the shoulder “gives way.” Additional symptoms can include decreased range of motion and swelling in the shoulder.