Shoulder popping may be caused by a traumatic shoulder injury during sports, repetitive wear-and-tear during weight-lifting or a result of aging. The shoulder joint is a mobile ball and socket joint formed by three bones - shoulder blade, collarbone and upper arm. Depending on which of the three bones is the cause of shoulder pain, we recommend different treatment options and physical therapy. See below for causes and treatments. We also prepared a free digital checker to help you self-diagnose and find the right care.

Shoulder popping questionnaire

Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your shoulder popping.

Shoulder popping symptom checker

Shoulder popping symptoms

People who participate in sports activities such as tennis or heavy weightlifting may experience sensations of popping, catching or locking of the shoulder joint after a lot of activity.

Common accompanying symptoms of shoulder popping

Shoulder popping may occur without sports activity and may include other symptoms such as:

Pain
Swelling
Visibly deformed or out-of-place shoulder
Limited range of motion
Decreased strength
Feeling of instability in the shoulder

Shoulder structure

The shoulder is a very mobile joint and vulnerable to displacement. The shoulder joint consists of the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle) and the bone of the upper arm (humerus). The head of the humerus sits in a socket of the scapula called the glenoid. There is a ring of tissue that surrounds the glenoid socket (labrum) that keeps all of these pieces in place. See this image for a visual representation. When there is displacement of this system of bones, sockets and tissue, the shoulder will feel as if it has popped out of place. No matter what the cause is, see a physician for appropriate care.

Causes of shoulder popping

The following details may help you better understand your symptoms and if and when you need to see a physician.

Traumatic causes

Shoulder popping may occur due to trauma, such as the following.

Falling on an outstretched arm
A direct blow to the shoulder
A sudden forceful pull: Such as when trying to lift a heavy object from the ground

Overuse

Overuse of the shoulder can result in popping.

Repetitive activities: Activities that cause repetitive shoulder motions such as tennis or weightlifting can cause an overuse injury to the shoulder joint.
Workplace tasks

Aging

Wear-and-tear over a long period can weaken the shoulder joint. As a result, people over the age of 40 are more susceptible to such symptoms.

5 causes of shoulder popping

This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Shoulder popping questionnaire

Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your shoulder popping.

Shoulder popping symptom checker

Acromioclavicular (ac) shoulder joint injury

The shoulder is made up of three bones - the shoulder blade (scapula), collar bone (clavicle), and arm bone (humerus). The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a joint that is in the front of the shoulder, where the collar bone and shoulder blade meet. This joint is stabilized by ligaments, which can tear if the two bones are separated from one another. This is most commonly caused by falling on the shoulder.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: constant shoulder pain, pain in one shoulder, shoulder pain from an injury, shoulder pain near the end of the collarbone, difficulty moving the shoulder

Symptoms that always occur with acromioclavicular (ac) shoulder joint injury: shoulder pain near the end of the collarbone, constant shoulder pain

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Biceps tendon rupture

The biceps muscle in the upper arm is anchored at the top by two separate tendons. One connects to the shoulder blade and one connects to the top of the shoulder joint. If one of these tendons is strained enough to completely tear it in two, this is called a rupture.

The injury is most common in people over age 40, especially after years of overuse of the shoulder. The person may have had episodes of biceps tendinitis in the past, which is a sign of fraying and damage to the tendon. In younger people it is primarily an acute sports injury, from weightlifting or from falling.

Symptoms include a pop or snap at the top of the shoulder, with sharp pain. There may soon be bruising halfway down the upper arm with obvious "balling up" of the partially disconnected muscle.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, x-rays, and sometimes MRI.

Treatment involves over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication; rest; ice; and physical therapy. Surgery may be done in some cases.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: pain in one shoulder, pain in the front of the shoulder, spontaneous shoulder pain, dull, achy shoulder pain, shoulder pain that gets worse at night

Symptoms that always occur with biceps tendon rupture: pain in the front of the shoulder, pain in one shoulder

Urgency: Primary care docto

Dislocated shoulder with nerve or artery damage

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint. This means the round top of the arm bone fits into the groove in the shoulder blade. A dislocated shoulder is when the entire ball is out of the socket. If the dislocation affects blood supply or a nerve, medical attention is extremely important.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: pain in one shoulder, arm weakness, shoulder pain from an injury, severe shoulder pain, arm numbness

Symptoms that always occur with dislocated shoulder with nerve or artery damage: pain in one shoulder, shoulder dislocation

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Broken collarbone

The clavicle is the collar bone. Clavicle fractures are often caused by a direct blow to the shoulder, for example during a fall onto the shoulder, a car collision, or a fall onto an outstretched arm. This fracture is an extremely common bone fracture in people of all ages.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: constant shoulder pain, pain in one shoulder, arm weakness, shoulder pain from an injury, collarbone pain

Symptoms that always occur with broken collarbone: collarbone pain, shoulder pain that gets worse with movement, difficulty moving the shoulder, collarbone bulge, constant shoulder pain

Urgency: Hospital emergency room

Dislocated shoulder

A dislocated shoulder occurs when your upper arm bone pops out of the socket of your shoulder blade. The shoulder joint is incredibly susceptible to dislocation because of its mobility.

Symptoms include severe pain and decreased movement when attempting to move the shoulder. Num..

Shoulder popping questionnaire

Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your shoulder popping.

Shoulder popping symptom checker

Shoulder popping treatments and relief

See your doctor promptly if you experience such shoulder popping symptoms as described above.

Medical treatments

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may suggest the following.

Immobilization (sling): Your doctor may use a sling to keep your shoulder from moving and allow your tissues to heal.
Rehabilitation: Your doctor may recommend stretching exercises or a physical therapy program to help you restore range of motion, strength, and stability to your shoulder.
Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medication or a muscle relaxant to help with swelling or pain and keep you comfortable while your shoulder heals.
Surgery: If more conservative measures such as those above are ineffective, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Questions your doctor may ask about shoulder popping

Did you just suffer from a high impact injury (e.g., a fall, collision, accident or sports trauma)?
How would you explain the cause of your shoulder pain?
Did you feel your shoulder pop out of place?
Hold your arms out to the side. Have someone push your arms down. Does it hurt your shoulder to resist?

Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.

Shoulder popping statistics

People who have experienced shoulder popping have also experienced:

30% Pain In One Shoulder
20% Grinding Sensation In Shoulder
8% Shoulder Pain

People who have experienced shoulder popping were most often matched with:

46% Dislocated Shoulder With Nerve Or Artery Damage
30% Acromioclavicular (Ac) Shoulder Joint Injury
23% Biceps Tendon Rupture

Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from Buoy Assistant (a.k.a. the quiz).

Share your story

Claudia Gambrah-Lyles, MD.

Resident at Children Hospital of Philadelphia

Dr. Gambrah-Lyles is a resident pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (2019). She graduated cum laude and received her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis (2013). Her research explores the intersections between neurology, public health, and infectious disease. She has investigated nutrition and cerebral palsy in Botswana, and completed a year-long project in Brazil, researching growth and developmental outcomes of Zika virus infection in pediatric patients as a Doris Duke International Scholar. Dr. Gambrah-Lyles speaks four languages, loves staying active, and enjoys sharing her love for medicine through teaching and writing.

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References

Shoulder Cartilage and Tendon Injuries. The Permanente Medical Group: My Doctor Online. My Doctor Online Link.
Bellendir T, Joseph TN, eds. Common Injuries of the Shoulder. University of Rochester Medical Center. URMC Link.
Types of Shoulder Sprains, Strains & Tears. NYU Langone Health. NYU Langone Link.
Sciascia AD, Kibler WB. Scapular (Shoulder Blade) Disorders. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. Updated March 2017. OrthoInfo Link.