Shoulder Injuries in Sports

Shoulder injuries are among athletes’ most common setbacks, affecting everyone from weekend warriors to elite professionals. This page will explore common shoulder injuries, how they’re caused, and treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your health and recovery.

If you’re dealing with persistent shoulder pain or suspect a sports-related shoulder injury, Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO, a fellowship-trained shoulder and sports medicine surgeon in Austin, Texas, is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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What Patients Are Saying

“Got checked in and into my appointment on time. Dr. Szerlip was prompt and very informative, while allowing any questions I may have had to be addressed while explaining my condition. He explained both a rotator cuff repair and a replacement for me to choose what will be best for me. He wasn’t trying to pressure me to choose without looking at both options. He was very supportive of the procedure I decided on and very supportive.” — Dale C.

What Causes Sports Shoulder Injuries?

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint with a wide range of motion, but that flexibility comes at a cost. Unlike more stable joints, like the hip, the shoulder is more prone to injury. Activities like throwing, swimming, tennis, and weightlifting place high demands on the shoulder muscles, tendons, and ligaments, sometimes leading to overuse or acute trauma.

Sudden movements, repetitive strain, falls, and collisions are all common triggers for sports shoulder injuries. Athletes who push their limits or neglect proper warm-ups and technique are at a higher risk. Shoulder injuries range from mild sprains to serious tears or dislocations.

Common Shoulder Injuries

Athletes can experience a variety of shoulder injuries, but some are more prevalent than others. The most common shoulder injuries in sports include:

Rotator cuff tears: This occurs when one or more of the rotator cuff tendons are torn, leading to pain, weakness, and limited range of motion. Torn rotator cuffs are particularly common in baseball, tennis, and swimming.
Rotator cuff tendinitis: This refers to inflammation of the tendons surrounding the rotator cuff due to repetitive stress. Athletes who perform overhead motions, like volleyball players, often experience this.
Shoulder dislocations: A forceful impact or sudden twisting can dislocate the upper arm bone from its socket, leading to instability and severe pain.
Shoulder impingement: When the rotator cuff muscles get pinched between the bones of the shoulder, it can cause pain and a reduction in range of motion.
SLAP tears: Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior tears refer to damage to the cartilage around the socket of the shoulder joint. It is often seen in overhead-throwing athletes.
Fractures: Direct trauma can break the clavicle (collarbone), scapula (shoulder blade), or upper arm bone (humerus), resulting in severe pain and loss of function.

Conditions Treated by Sports Medicine Physicians

Sports medicine physicians, like Dr. Benjamin W. Szerlip, specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries specific to athletes. When it comes to sports-related shoulder injuries, some of the key conditions treated include:

Rotator cuff injuries: Including both rotator cuff tears and rotator cuff tendinitis.
Shoulder instability: This can be caused by recurring shoulder dislocations or chronic looseness in the joint.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): This can cause stiffness and pain that restrict shoulder movement, often occurring after an injury.
Biceps tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon that connects the biceps to the upper arm and shoulder joint.
Arthritis: Wear-and-tear arthritis in the shoulder joint can develop after repeated sports injuries.
Labral tears (SLAP tears): Cartilage tears that often require advanced surgical intervention.

These conditions require expert care to ensure a safe and effective return to sports activities.

How Are Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries Treated?

Treatment for sports shoulder injuries depends on the severity of the injury and the athlete’s specific needs. Treatment plans may include a combination of non-surgical and surgical options. Dr. Benjamin W. Szerlip works closely with patients to create customized treatment plans.

Non-Surgical Treatments

For many athletes, conservative treatments can resolve the problem without surgery. These may include:

Rest and activity modification: Taking a break from high-impact sports or modifying movements to prevent further injury.
Physical therapy: Strengthening the surrounding muscles and improving range of motion is often key to recovery. Therapy also addresses movement patterns to prevent future injuries.
Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce pain and swelling in the shoulder joint.
Injections: Corticosteroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation in chronic conditions.

Surgical Treatments

If non-surgical approaches aren’t effective, surgery may be necessary. Some of the most common procedures include:

Rotator cuff repair: The surgeon reattaches torn tendons to the bone.
Labrum repair: Cartilage tears, such as SLAP tears, are repaired to restore stability.
Shoulder stabilization surgery: This helps prevent repeated dislocations.
Fracture repair: Required for fractured upper arm bones or other bones in the shoulder that require stabilization.
Shoulder replacement surgeries: For severe arthritis or unrepairable rotator cuff injuries, learn about Shoulder Replacement, Total Shoulder Replacement, and Reverse Shoulder Replacement options.

Dr. Szerlip is a highly skilled shoulder surgeon who offers both minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures and traditional open surgeries as needed.

When to Call a Sports Medicine Healthcare Provider

If you experience persistent pain, limited motion, or signs of a serious injury, it’s essential to seek medical treatment sooner rather than later. While some soreness after intense exercise is normal, severe or lasting pain in the shoulder joint could signal a serious issue.

Signs to watch for include:

Swelling or bruising around the shoulder
A “popping” or “clicking” sensation during movement
Weakness or loss of strength in the upper arm
Inability to lift or rotate the arm

Ignoring early signs of sports injuries can result in long-term damage or the need for more invasive treatments. Early intervention is key to a faster recovery.

Get Expert Care for Shoulder Injuries in Sports

Shoulder pain doesn’t have to sideline you from the activities you love. Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO, specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of sports-related shoulder injuries. Whether you’re dealing with rotator cuff tears, a dislocated shoulder, or inflammation from rotator cuff tendinitis, we offer expert care to get you back on track.

Don’t let a shoulder injury hold you back. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Szerlip’s office in Austin, TX, today and take the first step toward recovery!

Medically reviewed by Benjamin W. Szerlip, DO

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