Damage to the shoulder can happen in the bones, cartilage or ligaments. Two of the more common types of shoulder injuries are torn rotator cuffs and SLAP tears.

A torn rotator cuff is a common injury causing weakness and instability of the shoulder. Your shoulder is made up of the scapula (shoulder blade), the clavicle (collar bone) and the humerus (long bone of the upper arm). The head of the humerus fits into a small depression in the scapula called the glenoid; it is held in place by the rotator cuff, which is composed of four different muscles that come together to form a network of tendons surrounding the head of the humerus. The bursa is a sac that lubricates the bone and allows the tendons to glide freely. When a rotator cuff is torn, this means that one or more of the tendons that hold the head of the humerus in place within the scapula are damaged. This often starts by fraying of the tendon, progressing to complete tearing in some cases.

Acute tears may occur when you lift a heavy object in an abrupt fashion or fall on an outstretched arm. More often, rotator cuff tears occur as a process of wearing down of the affected tendon, as may be associated with aging. Bone spurs caused by arthritis, repetitive stress and decreased blood supply to the rotator cuff tendon are all risk factors for this type of injury.

Symptoms of rotator cuff damage include: shoulder pain even at rest, pain upon lifting or lowering the affected arm, a cracking or popping sound (crepitus) and weakness in the affected arm.
Non-surgical treatment consists of rest, immobilization, physical therapy and possibly cortisone injections to reduce inflammation. When non-surgical interventions fail, surgery to reattach the affected tendon to the head of the humerus may be recommended.

Athletes who are involved in repetitive throwing or lifting activities (baseball players, football players, dancers, weightlifters) are particularly prone to shoulder SLAP tears.

The shoulder joint is composed of three bones (the scapula, clavicle and humerus). The head of the humerus (upper arm) fits into a small depression in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The labrum, composed of tough fibrous tissue, serves as the attachment point for the ligaments of the shoulder and also the bicep tendon. The labrum is located on the outside edge of the glenoid and helps to stabilize the shoulder.

Similar to a torn rotator cuff, SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) injuries can be caused by both an acute injury and wear and tear. SLAP tears may cause shoulder pain, crepitus, decreased strength, loss of range of motion and a sensation that the shoulder/arm is going to "give out".
Diagnosis is based on history, physical examination of the shoulder during specific types of movement, x-ray and sometimes MRI to better visualize the labrum. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain using anti-inflammatory drugs, rest and physical therapy to restore movement and strength.When non-surgical means fail, arthroscopic surgery to determine the extent of the damage and repair the damaged labrum may be recommended.