Last updated October 29, 2020
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Shoulder Popping Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions
Table of Contents
Last updated October 29, 2020
Shoulder popping questionnaire
Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your shoulder popping.
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 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.
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 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).
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Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...
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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.