While the shoulder is a fairly stable joint, the upper arm has a wide range of motion. Repetitive movements can quickly turn into an overuse injury. Falling on the shoulder or jerking it out of the socket can also cause damage. Some popping in the shoulder joint is normal. If you’re noticing pain during certain activities or while you’re at rest, you may have a shoulder injury. A physical therapist can help determine the likely cause of pain and popping in your upper arm.
Warming up your shoulders before a strenuous activity can help prevent some injuries, and stretching and strengthening your shoulder can also make it more resilient. However, shoulder injuries can’t always be prevented.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss eight potential reasons why you may notice popping sounds and pain in your upper arm.
8 potential causes of pain and popping in the upper arm
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint that’s partially enclosed by the scapula or shoulder blade. The upper biceps tendon has two heads that attach to the front of the shoulder joint. The biceps muscle does most of the work to move the arm, and the part of the tendon that attaches it to the upper arm bone can become unstable when the shoulder is injured. This is typically the tendon that’s affected in biceps tendinitis. Problems with the rotator cuff can also cause popping and instability. The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that sit between the shoulder blade and the upper arm bone.
The following are eight reasons why you may have popping sounds and pain in your upper arm:
Biceps tendon tear — A torn biceps tendon can cause sharp pain and a popping sound when the tendon tears. This can occur due to tendinitis or a traumatic event.
Torn labrum — The labrum is a ring of cartilage that stabilizes the shoulder joint. It helps keep the shoulder joint in place and provides cushioning to the joint. There’s also a labrum in each of the hip joints. The labrum can tear after a hard fall, blow, or force pulling on the joint. This may cause a popping sound and a feeling of instability in the shoulder.
Biceps instability — The long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the front of the upper arm bone at the shoulder joint. It’s usually nestled inside what’s called the bicipital groove. If it becomes unstable, it can pop in and out of the groove, causing pain and popping. Biceps instability almost always occurs because of another shoulder injury such as a torn rotator cuff or shoulder impingement.
Arthritis — Osteoarthritis and other genetic or autoimmune forms of arthritis can cause a popping sound and joint pain in the shoulder. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage inside the joints starts wearing away due to aging or a long history of overuse. You may also notice stiffness and reduced flexibility in the shoulder.
Bursitis — Most joints in the body, including the shoulder joint, have bursae somewhere near them. These are fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning. They can become inflamed due to trauma or overuse, which may cause shoulder pain and popping.
Osteochondroma — Sometimes, shoulder popping is caused by a benign bone growth on the scapula, shoulder or rib cage. Usually popping is the only symptom. However, you may notice a bump, pain when active, or numbness.
Shoulder impingement syndrome — Shoulder impingement syndrome happens when the rotator cuff swells, creating pressure inside the shoulder joint. This can cause shoulder pain and popping, especially when reaching overhead.
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) — EDS is a group of related genetic disorders that affect the connective tissue. It’s a condition that people have from birth, but it often goes unrecognized until adulthood. Joint hypermobility and pain are symptoms of common subtypes, along with stretchy, fragile skin. However, EDS can present differently, with scoliosis, muscle weakness or fragile blood vessels.
See a physical therapist to find out what’s causing pain and popping in your arm
If you think you may have a shoulder injury, it’s important to seek treatment right away. Most people use their shoulders all day long, and without treatment, an injury may get worse over time. The best way to find out what’s causing pain and popping in your arm is to see a physical therapist at KC Rehab.
Our PTs try to uncover the root cause of pain so we can address it rather than covering it up. We use noninvasive, natural treatments that support your body’s healing process. Our process starts with a conversation about what you’re noticing and an in-depth assessment.
Did you know you don’t need a referral to see a PT? In many cases, treatments are covered by insurance, too.
Are you ready to find out what’s really causing your shoulder pain and popping? Schedule an initial appointment with us today. We can start providing treatment as soon as your first visit.
Comments