In shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components, called a prosthesis. The specific type of shoulder replacement performed will depend on the cause and extent of your shoulder damage.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A shoulder separation is not truly an injury to the shoulder joint. The injury actually involves the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. The AC joint is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion).| orthoinfo.aaos.org
The shoulder blade (scapula) is a triangular-shaped bone that is protected by a complex system of surrounding muscles. Scapula fractures represent less than 1% of all broken bones and many of them can be treated without surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Injuries to the SC joint typically result from motor vehicle collisions or participation in collision sports like football. While these injuries can be painful, most are relatively minor and will heal well without surgery.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Injuries to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma — such as a fall onto an outstretched arm — or from repetitive shoulder motion. Throwing athletes or weightlifters can experience labral tears as a result of repetitive shoulder motion.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
After a shoulder injury or surgery, following a well-structured conditioning program will help you return to daily activities and enjoy a more active lifestyle.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
A clavicle fracture is a break in the collarbone, one of the bones in the shoulder. Most clavicle fractures occur when a fall onto an outstretched arm puts enough pressure on the bone that it snaps or breaks.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
In a shoulder dislocation, the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) may come either partially or completely out of the socket. To treat a dislocation, your doctor will place the ball of your upper arm bone back into the shoulder socket, a procedure called a "reduction."| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Shoulder instability occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. Once a shoulder has dislocated, it is vulnerable to repeat episodes. When the shoulder slips out of place repeatedly, it is called chronic shoulder instability.| orthoinfo.aaos.org
Your arm is kept in your shoulder socket by your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that come together as tendons to form a covering around the shoulder. When one of these tendons is torn, it may be painful to lift or rotate your arm.| orthoinfo.aaos.org