3 reasons your shoulder is popping and in pain

Your shoulder may click or pop when you move it. This is known as crepitus. A cracking, grinding, or popping shoulder may be accompanied by a sharp pain or warmth. Shoulder popping and pain can be quite disarming, and your symptoms are likely the result of an underlying health condition or injury. 

What is crepitus?

Crepitus refers to the wide variety of sounds that can come from your shoulder or other joint. Such sounds can include popping, creaking, grinding and cracking. The construction of the shoulder joint actually makes crepitus and injuries much more likely. 

The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The humerus bone sits below and inside the scapula, and four muscles connect them. You may have heard these four muscles called the rotator cuff. The labrum, a cartilage structure inside your shoulder blade, acts as a soft cup that secures your arm in position.

The way the shoulder joint is built allows your arms to move freely. Yet this freedom of movement also means the shoulder is unstable by design. As a result, it is more likely to develop issues like crepitus or shoulder impingement. 

What’s causing that shoulder popping and pain? 

There are many shoulder issues that could be behind your shoulder popping and pain. Here are a few common causes:

1. Osteoarthritis — You can lose cartilage that keeps your bones from rubbing against each other. If you hear a snapping or cracking sound in your shoulder, your bones may be making contact. Arthritis can often be detected by noises like grating or cracking.

2. Labral tears — The labrum is a cartilage structure that can be torn due to overuse, age or injury. The damage can be quite painful. When you use your shoulder for any reason, you could hear a grinding or popping sound when your labrum is torn. Labral tears are also characterized by consistent pain and discomfort with virtually any exertion.

3. Osteochondroma — You may experience shoulder cracking due to a benign growth in your shoulder or on your scapula called an osteochondroma. This is the most common benign growth. There may be no other symptoms.

If you would like to get to the bottom of your shoulder popping and pain, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Your therapist will be able to accurately assess you and develop a plan for your recovery.

Recovery from shoulder popping and pain begins with SSOR

Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation is ready to target your shoulder popping and pain. We can help you learn the cause of your symptoms with a free consultation. Our team can also provide customized treatment plans for many shoulder issues. 

Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our credentialed and knowledgeable physical therapists to address your shoulder popping and pain.