Shoulder Popping Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

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

Rotator cuff tendonitis

The rotator cuff is an arrangement of muscles and tendons that holds the head of upper arm bone within the shoulder socket. If these muscles become inflamed, the condition is called rotator cuff tendonitis.

The most common cause is overuse, especially with athletes or laborers.

Repeatedly throwing or swinging an object causes extensive wear on the muscles and tendons. It can also happen with an acute injury.

Symptoms include a nagging, aching pain in the upper arm and shoulder that gets worse with raising the arms or reaching backwards.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination, x-ray, and sometimes MRI.

Early treatment involves immediately stopping use of the affected shoulder, applying ice to the painful area, and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen to ease pain and inflammation. Careful stretching can sometimes help. Cortisone injections may be tried, as well as ultrasound and therapeutic massage.

Surgery may be advised to remove damaged tissue or any bone spurs. Follow-up care and exercises will be very important in gaining full recovery.

Rotator cuff tear

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury (tear) can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens when sleeping on the involved side.

You should visit your primary care physician who will coordinate care with a muscle and bone specialist (orthopedic surgeon). Treatments for rotator cuff tears vary depending on the severity of the tear, but usually involve rest, over-the-counter pain medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery in some cases.

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.

You should go to the ER immediately for treatment. A dislocated shoulder that affects blood supply or damages a nerve may require immediate surgery to keep the whole arm healthy.

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

Dislocated shoulder

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.

A dislocated shoulder requires immediate medical attention in order to 1) confirm diagnosis with an X-ray, and 2) pop the shoulder back in place and immobilize it (to start the healing process). Surgery is considered if this keeps happening.

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.

You should seek immediate medical care at an urgent care clinic or ER. This type of fracture is almost never a cause for concern, but it can be very painful and it is important to obtain and X-Ray to rule out any other damage. Treatment will most likely involve carrying your arm in a sling.

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

Biceps tendonitis

Biceps tendinitis, also called biceps tendonitis, is an inflammation of one of the upper tendons of the biceps muscle in the upper arm.

The biceps is anchored at its lower end near the elbow. About halfway up the arm it divides into two parts, one a little longer than the other. One part, the "short head" or shorter of the divided muscles, attaches to the shoulder blade. The other, the "long head," attaches to the top of the shoulder.

Biceps tendinitis is usually caused by overuse, especially repetitive throwing-type motions of the arm. It is primarily a sports injury.

Symptoms include a throbbing, aching pain in the shoulder that may radiate down the arm. Any throwing, lifting, or pulling movement may produce pain in the shoulder.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and ultrasound, and possibly with CT scan and/or MRI.

Treatment begins with rest, ice, over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy. It may also include injections of local anesthetic and/or corticosteroids into the biceps tendon sheath. Surgery may be needed in some cases.

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. AC shoulder joint injury is most commonly caused by falling on the shoulder.

You should visit your primary care physician within the next 24 hours. AC joint injuries are usually treated non-surgically with pain medications and wearing a shoulder sling. Your doctor may coordinate care with a physical therapist as well.

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

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.