Chronic shoulder pain or gradual onset of shoulder pain may manifest over some time. The athlete may not be aware of the exact time of the injury, and it may have been causing them slight discomfort while they continue to train.

The shoulder joint is complex, and there are certain injuries which may appear to have occurred suddenly. However, in reality, these injuries may have been developing slowly over a period. A chronic shoulder injury may cause acute pain to the patient.

Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute, led by board-certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides orthopedic treatments to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding communities.

Types of Injuries

Glenoid Labrum Tear

The glenoid labrum refers to a fibrous tissue ring that connects to the rim of the glenoid shallow hole or shoulder blade socket where the arm bone or ball or humerus is located.

Frozen Shoulder

The medical term for frozen shoulder is adhesive capsulitis. This is a condition that leads to pain and limited movement in the shoulder joint.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

The shoulder impingement syndrome is also known as thrower’s shoulder or swimmer’s shoulder. It occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff become impinged as they pass through the shoulder joint.

Winged Scapula

A winged scapula is indicative of another condition and is itself not an injury. The condition is characterized by the shoulder blade’s protrusion out on the back instead of it lying flat against the chest wall’s back.  

Shoulder Subluxation

When the shoulder dislocates partially, it leads to shoulder subluxation or shoulder instability. The shoulder joint is such that it allows a vast range of motion. This makes it likely to be less stable.

Clavicle Muscle Attachments Inflammation

The clavicle or collarbone has various muscle attachments along its entire length. These attachments may become swollen or painful.

Subscapularis Inflammation

The subscapularis is a strong muscle that rotates the arm inwards. It belongs to the rotator cuff muscle group. Throwers frequently experience an injury of this muscle, and it can be challenging to treat.

Shoulder Tendonitis

Shoulder Tendonitis or Tenosynovitis refers to a degenerative condition of any of the tendons around the shoulder joint, typically rotator cuff tendons. However, it can also happen in the triceps and biceps tendons.

Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendonitis or tendinopathy alludes to a degenerative condition which impacts one or more of the rotator cuff tendons present in the shoulder.

Long Head Biceps Inflammation

The biceps muscle bifurcates into two tendons at the shoulder. The longer tendon extends over the top of the upper arm and connects to the top of the shoulder blade.

Suprascapular Neuropathy

Suprascapular neuropathy typically happens due to traction damage to the suprascapular nerve. This leads to a burning or aching pain behind as well as on the side of the shoulder joint.

Pec Major Tendon Inflammation

The Pectoralis Major tendon is quite weak in the area where it connects to the arm or humerus bone. This tendon can become swollen at this site. Racket players, throwers, rowers, swimmers, and weight trainers commonly experience this injury.

Experienced orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.