Is Shoulder Clicking a Sign of a Serious Problem?

Have you ever raised your arm and heard a clicking in your shoulder? For a lot of people this comes and goes, pain-free. But for others, this is a frequent, or even painful, experience. 

So what does it mean when your shoulder clicks? Is it harmless? Or should you be worried?

Let’s look a little more closely at what may be causing it and when to take this to  a doctor. 

What Causes Shoulder Clicking?

The shoulder is a complex joint, comprising bones, muscles, tendons, and a soft ring (the labrum). This unique and intricate arrangement combines the stability and movement for your shoulder.

A click can happen for various reasons:

• Muscle or tendon movement

 Sometimes, when the arm is moved, muscles or tendons are either sliding over one another or are over the bone or joint that is creating the click. This can happen more commonly when the athlete has some tightness or imbalances in the muscles, which often means the clicking is not problematic. 

• Poor posture or weakness

 If a person is sitting or standing with rounded shoulders, or possibly has weak muscles in the upper back, this can change how the shoulder moves. Over time, this may lead to abnormal movement and resultant clicking.

• Shoulder impingement

 This occurs when the tendons in the shoulder get pinned while the shoulder is in motion. The clicking may occur with discomfort or stiffness as well.

• Labral Tears

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilise the shoulder joint. A labral tear, which occurs from an injury or overloading, can cause a clicking sound or the sensation of your shoulder catching or moving.

• Shoulder Instability

If your shoulder feels loose or like it could pop out of place, this likely means that the ligaments are overstretched. This is quite common in individuals with a previous shoulder injury.  

When to Seek Help

If you are experiencing occasional clicking without pain, it’s not usually a concern. However, if it appears frequently or presents with other symptoms, there could be an underlying concern.

Look for the following:

• Pain or discomfort

• Stiffness or limitations in range of motion

• A sensation of catching or locking

• Shoulder weakness

• Swelling

If any of these symptoms develop, you should seek medical attention.

How Is Treatment

Treatment varies based on cause. In many cases, physical therapy is beneficial to strengthen muscles and improve posture. Ultimately lessening strain on the joint and improving movement. In some cases, further evaluation using scans or imaging may be required.

For more serious conditions, like a ripped labrum or chronic impingement, your doctor may talk about medications or possible small procedures.

When to See a Specialist

If shoulder clicking becomes frequent, or is painful, or limiting your daily routine, don’t delay. Early care can mean no long-term damage.

Consult the best ortho doctor in Chennai at Sugam Hospital, we will take the time to assess your symptoms and identify the source of the problem. Then, we will provide you with a choice of both non-surgical and surgical options for care.