What is a Shoulder Strain?
A shoulder strain is when there is damage to a muscle or tendon that attaches to a bone in the shoulder joint.
Anatomy
Some of the muscles that may be strained in the shoulder include:
- Rotator Cuff Musculature
- Supraspinatus
- Infraspinatus
- Teres Minor
- Subscapularis
- Teres Major
- Trapezius
- Deltoids
- Rhomboids
How Does it Happen?
- Falling or slipping accidentally onto an outstretched arm
- Contact sports
- Overloading the shoulder with heavy objects
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Repetitive strain to the shoulder joint
- Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Reduced joint mobility
- Tenderness to the touch
- Instability
Risk Factors
- You may be at an increased risk for a shoulder sprain with the following:
- Playing certain sports (football, hockey, alpine skiing, rugby, wrestling, etc.)
- Involved in a motor vehicle or high velocity collision.
- Engage in repetitive motions that involve the shoulder joint
- Lift heavy objects
- Improper warm up prior to physical activity
Shoulder Specialists in the Twin Cities
If you are experiencing any symptoms of shoulder strain please contact us today to set up your appointment with a Minnesota physical therapist. We have physical therapy clinics located in Minneapolis and Edina.
