Shoulder care
Shoulder injuries & conditions
Shoulder problems can arise from the rotator cuff, labrum, capsule and ligaments, biceps tendon, cartilage, bones, or surrounding muscles. Different conditions can cause similar pain, weakness, or loss of motion, so an accurate diagnosis matters before treatment is chosen. This page helps you find the topic closest to your concern.
Shoulder problems can arise from the rotator cuff, labrum, capsule and ligaments, biceps tendon, cartilage, bones, or surrounding muscles. Different conditions can cause similar pain, weakness, or loss of motion, so an accurate diagnosis matters before treatment is chosen.
Knowing roughly which structure is involved helps you and your surgeon have a clearer first conversation. The topics below describe the common categories — rotator cuff problems, shoulder instability, biceps tendon problems, general shoulder pain, arthritis and shoulder replacement, and shoulder and upper-arm fractures — each with a path into more detailed education.
Common shoulder topics
Find the area closest to what you're experiencing.
- Rotator cuff problemsThe rotator cuff is a group of tendons that help lift and rotate the arm. Problems range from irritation and partial tears to full-thickness tears.
- Shoulder instability & labral injuryWhen the shoulder slips partly or fully out of place, or feels unstable — often after a dislocation, and sometimes with a labral injury.
- Biceps tendon problemsPain or problems involving the long-head biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder.
- Arthritis & shoulder replacementWear-related joint changes in the shoulder and the treatments considered for advanced arthritis.
- General shoulder painShoulder pain that isn't tied to a single sudden injury, including subacromial pain and bursitis.
- Shoulder & upper-arm fracturesBroken bones around the shoulder and upper arm — the collarbone (clavicle), the top of the upper arm bone (proximal humerus), and the upper-arm shaft (humeral shaft).
Next step
Have a shoulder injury you want to understand?
If you've hurt your shoulder or have ongoing shoulder symptoms, you can request an appointment to talk through what's happening and your options. This website is not monitored for emergencies — for a medical emergency, call 911.