Shoulder Popping: When to Worry
If you experience occasional shoulder popping or clicking but no pain, it’s probably nothing to be worried about, says Cleveland Clinic. But if you feel pain along with the shoulder pops, you may have an injury that needs to be evaluated by a physician.
As you get older, the cartilage that cushions your joints may start to wear away, leading your bones to grind against one another. With time, this manifests as arthritis, a degenerative disorder that causes ongoing pain and stiffness.
The most common type of shoulder arthritis is called osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon (AAOS). The AAOS reports its symptoms tend to begin in middle age.
If your shoulder clicks when you raise an arm — or if it locks up, hurts, and feels unstable — you may have a glenoid labrum tear, says the AAOS. This injury occurs with trauma to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket (frequently caused by falling on an outstretched arm or getting a blow to the shoulder) or through overuse (throwing balls, constantly reaching overhead).
Bursitis and rotator cuff tendinitis or shoulder impingement syndrome also cause popping in the shoulders, says Johns Hopkins Medicine and Mayo Clinic. Consult a physician to determine what’s behind your pops and clicks, and whether exercising the shoulder area is safe for you.
While some shoulder injuries require surgery, others can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs or by doing the moves below. Try them once you’ve gotten the all-clear from your doctor, and stop if at any point you experience pain.
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