This is a common lesion in athletes. The area is free from pain when the arm is positioned at the side of the body. However, when rotating the arm, the space between the shoulder and upper arm is reduced, squeezing the ligaments and causing excessive amounts of tissue fluid, hemorrhaging and swelling. This injury is common in sports such as swimming, where the athlete is required to rotate the arm many times a day. A tear in the rotator cuff may be partial or complete and is most common in people over 30.
Shoulder pain can originate from the cervical spine, internal organs or the shoulder area itself.
The muscles are part of the structural support that is important for proper function. A sprain or strain can occur from a bowed or contact force to the forearm or hyperextension injury to the elbow due to contact sports such as football or wrestling, or when non-contact sports such as javelin throwing are done incorrectly. A dislocated elbow involves injury to the capsule, ligaments and muscle attachments around the joint and arm. The middle nerve that enters the palm of the hand becomes compressed causing severe pain and numbness. The affected areas include the index and middle finger, with thumb weakness.