What are some general characteristics of cartilage and ligament tears in the shoulder?
What are its usual manifestations?Individuals with cartilage or ligament tears will have pain deep in the shoulder, especially with certain positions and with overhead activities, (e.g., throwing/hitting sports like softball, volleyball, and tennis; kayaking, surfing, weightlifting, climbing, painting, racquet sports, etc). They may experience a popping or clicking sound in the shoulder with motion that may or may not be painful. In some cases the popping seems to lessen the pain. Not uncommonly, the pain is mild during exercise, but becomes worse later that evening or the next day. Pain can emerge with specific actions such as cocking the arm to throw, or when the racquet meets the ball. The pain may lessen with rest, but recurs when the shoulder is put back in action. A shoulder slipping in and out of the socket suggests a more severe ligament tear. Partial slipping is called subluxation, while complete disassociation of the shoulder joint is called dislocation (Figure 1). Dislocatio
