Athletic shoulder conditions

Question 1

What are the main three bones of the shoulder?

Answer 1

Clavicle, scapula, and humerus.

Question 2

What are overuse injuries of the shoulder?

Answer 2

Bursitis, deformity/weakness, impingement, inflammation, joint laxity, loose bodies/debris, stress fracture, or tendonitis.

Question 3

What are acute injuries of the shoulder?

Answer 3

Dislocation/subluxation, fracture, sprain or strain, or superficial contusion

Question 4

What is the main function of the scapulothoracic articulation?

Answer 4

To centre the socket part of the shoulder joint to the ball of the arm during the elevation of the arm. It also adds range to the arm when reaching overhead.

Question 5

What is the acromioclavicular joint?

Answer 5

Joint in the shoulder where the collarbone/clavicle meets the scapula.

Pain in the acromioclavicular joint often occurs without specific cause. It can result from wear and tear changes or repetitive strain.

Question 6

What is the glenohumeral joint?

Answer 6

Multiaxial synovial ball and socket joint between the glenoid of the scapula and the head of the humerus (arm bone). Facilitates wide range of motion for upper extremity.

Question 7

What are the primary bursae in the shoulder?

Answer 7

Subacromial bursa, subcoracoid bursa, subdeltoid bursa, and subscapular bursae.

Bursae allows tendons and bones to glide without friction when you move and lift your arms.

Question 8

What is the purpose of the subacromial bursa?

Answer 8

Cushions the area between the rotator cuff tendons and the acromion (highest point of the scapula).

Question 9

What are the main arteries in shoulder?

Answer 9

The subclavian artery exits the upper chest and becomes the axillary artery as it passes under the first rib. The thoracoacromial artery branches off the axillary artery.

Question 9

What are the main arteries in shoulder?

Answer 9

The subclavian artery exits the upper chest and becomes the axillary artery as it passes under the first rib. The thoracoacromial artery branches off the axillary artery.

Question 10

What is the shoulder kinematic chain?

Answer 10

Starts from the sternum, the chest bone constitutes the midline of the anterior thorax. The sternum goes into the clavicles, s-shaped collarbones.

Question 11

What are the main extensor muscles of the shoulder?

Answer 11

Posterior deltoid, latissimus dorsi, and teres major.

Question 12

What are the main abductor muscles of the shoulder?

Answer 12

Deltoid and supraspinatus (muscles that runs along the scapula).

Question 13

What are the main adduction muscles of the shoulder?

Answer 13

Pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, triceps, and coracobrachialis.

Question 14

What the internal rotation muscles of the shoulder?

Answer 14

Teres major, pectoralis major, subscapularis, latissimus dorsi, and anterior deltoid.

Question 15

What the three muscles in the rotator cuff and what are they responsible for?

Answer 15

1. Supraspinatus to control internal rotation and lifting of the arm.
2. Infraspinatus for external rotation in the socket.
3. Teres minor to help rotate arm.

Question 16

What is the rotator cuff responsible for?

Answer 16

Stabilising the shoulder joint and fine tuning movements of the head of the humerus within the glenoid fossa.

Question 17

What is the rhomboid major?

Answer 17

Broad quadrilateral muscle extending obliquely to insert into the medial border of the scapula.

Question 18

What is a sternoclavicular joint dislocation (anterior displacement)?

Answer 18

Often referred to as a spain this is the complete rupture of all sternoclavicular and costoclavicular ligaments.

Can be caused by direct force on the collarbone or indirect force on the shoulder.

Rare injury usually sustained in contact sports. Can be life-threatening as it can damage vital vascular and respiratory structures such as the aortic arch, the carotid and subclavian arteries, and the trachea.

Question 19

What is a acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury?

Answer 19

Describes an injury to the top of the shoulder. The top/front of the shoulder blade (acromion) detaches from the collarbone. It is a shoulder separation.

Most often caused by a fall directly on the outside of the shoulder.

Question 20

What is a dislocation/subluxation injury?

Answer 20

The humeral head partially or fully slips out of the glenoid cavity.

Commonly caused by contact sports and falls in sports.

Question 20

What is a growth plate fracture?

Answer 20

Growth plates are near the ends of children’s bones. A fracture in the growth plate must be treated immediately as it affects how the bone will grow.