A rotator cuff tear can be a tear of one or more of the 4 rotator cuff muscles. A tear can occur from a traumatic event, repeated microtrauma subsequence overloading the muscle or degeneration of the muscle tissue.

A tendinopathy is an umbrella term of injury to a tendon which is the structure that connects muscle to bone. Tendinopathies usually occur as a result of repetitive overloading of the tendon over a period of time. Tendonitis is when the tendon becomes inflamed or irritated which can result in pain, tenderness, reduced range of motion and strength.

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between a bone and tissues, we have over 100 bursas all over our body. There are a 5 main bursas within the shoulder joint that can become inflamed resulting in bursitis. Bursitis occurs when there is repetitive minor trauma from overuse and can often be linked with impingement and tendonitis of the rotator cuff tendons.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint where the humerus, the arm bone, moves inside the socket. The shoulder joint is very mobile and is able to move in all directions, because of this the rotator cuff muscles and ligaments around the shoulder play a crucial role in holding the joint in the correct position. If there is a lack of strength in the muscles or laxity in the supporting ligaments the shoulder joint can become unstable which can result in subluxation or dislocation.

Shoulder pain can occur in either left or right shoulders and can at times occur in both simultaneously. Pain can present in one shoulder versus the other depending on a variety of reasons including what side is your dominant hand, what sport you play and how you sleep at night. It is important to remember that left sided shoulder pain that presents with chest pain, jaw pain, fatigue, nausea and lightheadedness is a sign of potential cardiac issues and needs emergency medical attention.

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint of the body and is a result of degeneration over time. This degeneration can result in pain, loss of movement, strength and function.

Pain between the shoulder blades is often related to the thoracic spine which is the middle portion of your spine. It can be from muscle weakness, tightness or lack of mobility in the spine. Often pain here is linked with prolonged sitting or poor ergonomic setups that result in poor posture.

Shoulder tip pain refers to pain around the acromioclavicular joint which is where the acromion (part of the scapular) attaches to the clavicle (collarbone). Acromioclavicular joint pain is often associated with pain lifting your arm to 90 degrees and above. This joint, just like any other in the body, can become irritated resulting in loss of strength and function around the shoulder. Common conditions of the acromioclavicular joint include subacromial impingement and subacromial bursitis which refers to the irritation of the bursa that sits underneath the joint. With Physiotherapy and strengthening exercises, full range and function can be restored.