The shoulder is made up of two joints (the shoulder joint and the acromio clavicular joint) and various ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint situated at the top end of the arm bone. The ball is much larger than the small saucer-shaped socket, which makes the shoulder the most mobile joint in the body. The joint is stabilised by a number of around it, which form the shoulder ‘capsule’. The shallow socket is deepened by a thick ring of called the ‘labrum’. The four of the shoulder form a ‘cuff’ around the ball of the joint, known as the rotator cuff.
The is the joint formed where the collar bone (clavicle) meets the shoulder blade (acromion). Like the shoulder joint, it is stabilised by ligaments, its movement is enabled by tendons, and moves smoothly thanks to the cartilage on the ends of the bone.
The ligaments, cartilage, tendons and other soft tissue in the shoulder joints can all be damaged through impact, repeated use or degenerative disease such as arthritis. This can result in instability, dislocation and pain.
Acromio clavicular joint (ACJ) injury
The ligaments of this joint can be damaged as a result of a violent impact or repeated overhead use.
Most commonly performed surgery: .
Acromio clavicular joint (ACJ) osteoarthritis
Arthritis can affect the bones in the joint, causing pain, inhibited movement and degeneration of the joint.
Most commonly performed surgery:
Rotator cuff impingement
The four tendons that form a ‘cuff’ over the ball of the shoulder joint can get inflamed as a result of overuse. The tendons and soft tissue swells up, causing pressure and pinching (impingement) in the joint. It can be very painful, and inhibits movement.
Most commonly performed surgery:
Rotator cuff tear
The tendons of the shoulder joint can get torn as a result of a high impact, or due to chronic wear and tear.
Most commonly performed surgery: