When athletes take the field, court, or open water, they put their bodies and especially their shoulders through intense motion and stress. Understanding shoulder injuries in sports is critical for preventing setbacks, recovering correctly, and returning to full performance.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or a suspected shoulder injury, it’s time to get professional guidance. Contact Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO, a fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon in Austin, Texas, who specializes in diagnosing and treating sports shoulder injuries.
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body and involves several key structures. The upper arm bone (the humerus) meets the shoulder socket (glenoid cavity) of the shoulder blade (scapula) at the shoulder joint. The shoulder socket’s rim and the surrounding shoulder bones provide the framework for movement.
Encasing this joint are the rotator cuff tendons, a group of tendons that connect the surrounding muscles (the rotator cuff muscles) to the upper arm bone. These allow a wide range of motion, including lifting, throwing, and overhead activities.
The shoulder muscles and the shoulder blade also play key roles in stabilizing the joint during movement. Because the shoulder must juggle both stability and mobility, it’s also especially vulnerable to sports shoulder injuries and other common shoulder injuries.
Shoulder injuries in sports can happen through trauma or overuse injuries from repetitive movement. Here are some of the most frequent shoulder injuries seen in athletes and active individuals:
A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket, often during contact sports or fall-related trauma. A classic scenario involves a bone popping out of its normal position, causing intense pain, loss of function, and visible deformity. After reduction, proper rehab is essential to avoid repeated dislocations or chronic instability.
A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common shoulder injuries in both sports and the general population. The rotator cuff tendons may be partially or fully torn, impairing shoulder movement, causing weakness in the upper arm, and often producing chronic pain. Overuse injuries, repetitive overhead motions, and trauma can all lead to this condition.
In shoulder impingement syndrome, the rotator cuff tendons and biceps tendon become compressed under the acromion (a part of the shoulder blade) during movement. This leads to shoulder pain, especially with lifting or overhead activity, and can progress to rotator cuff injuries if unchecked. Athletes in throwing or swimming sports often develop this from repetitive overhead activities.
The shoulder’s stability is enhanced by the labrum, a ring of cartilage around the socket. A labral tear can occur during a shoulder dislocation, repetitive motion, or traumatic impact. This results in a sense of catching, instability, and severe shoulder injuries if the shoulder remains unstable. It can impair the restoration of shoulder function unless treated promptly.
Broken bones can occur in the shoulder region, such as a fractured proximal humerus (upper arm), shoulder blade, or collarbone. They are usually caused by high-impact trauma or contact sports. Recovery often involves immobilization, monitoring, and sometimes surgical intervention.
Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of injury. Here are some of the nonsurgical and surgical options for treating shoulder injuries.
For many athletes, conservative treatments can resolve the problem without surgery. These may include:
If non-surgical approaches aren’t effective, surgery may be necessary. Some of the most common procedures include:
Dr. Szerlip is a highly skilled Austin shoulder surgeon who offers both minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures and traditional open surgeries as needed.
If you’re dealing with a sports shoulder injury or suspect a problem with your shoulder joint, don’t delay. Early care significantly improves long-term outcomes. Reach out to Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO, a fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon in Austin, Texas, for evaluation and a personalized treatment plan focused on getting you back to your sport strong and healthy.
You may experience shoulder pain at rest or with lifting, weakness in the upper arm, difficulty with overhead activities, and sometimes a feeling of catching or popping. A physical examination plus imaging (MRI or ultrasound) by medical professionals can confirm the diagnosis.
Immediately immobilize the arm, apply ice, and seek prompt medical attention. A dislocated shoulder should be reduced by a qualified provider, followed by stabilization and rehabilitation to prevent recurrent dislocations.
Yes, many athletes respond well to physical therapy focusing on stretching and strengthening. If symptoms persist or progress, surgical evaluation may be needed.
Surgery is often needed for full-thickness rotator cuff tears, recurrent shoulder dislocations, severe bone fractures, labral tears causing instability, or when nonsurgical treatments fail and shoulder function remains impaired.
Recovery time varies widely: mild impingement may take a few weeks, while surgical repair may require 6–12 months before full sport-specific activity is safe. Your surgeon and physical therapist will guide your plan.
