Shoulder instability occurs when the structures that hold the shoulder joint together—muscles, tendons, and ligaments—are weakened or damaged. In swimmers, this typically happens due to the repetitive overhead motions involved in their strokes. Over time, these motions place stress on the shoulder joint, potentially causing it to become loose or even dislocate. Instability can result in pain, weakness, and limited range of motion, all of which can affect a swimmer’s performance.

Understanding the cause of your shoulder pain is the first step to a full recovery. Working with a sports medicine specialist like Dr. Sterett ensures a tailored treatment plan that addresses the specific injury and your unique needs as an athlete.

The question, "can a dislocated shoulder cause a rotator cuff tear?" is often asked by patients. The answer is yes. The force that dislocates the shoulder can indeed cause a tear in the rotator cuff.

The question, "can a dislocated shoulder cause a rotator cuff tear?" is often asked by patients. The answer is yes. The force that dislocates the shoulder can indeed cause a tear in the rotator cuff.

"Biking can be a valuable addition to a runner's training regimen as it provides a low-impact alternative that reduces the repetitive stress on the knees," states Dr. Sterett.

Dr. Sterett advises, "By diversifying training activities, runners can reduce the strain on specific muscle groups and joints, thereby minimizing the risk of overuse injuries.”

Dr. Sterett explains, "Knee popping can arise from harmless, physiological mechanism. Common causes of knee popping encompasses a variety of factors. Soft tissue interactions, such as the movement of tendons, ligaments, or menisci can produce audible popping sensations.”

Dr. Sterett states, "Shoulder popping may originate from dynamic interactions between the bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage within the joint”

Dr. Sterett explains, “The most common direction for a shoulder dislocation is anteriorly – where the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket towards the front of the body. This type of dislocation, known as an anterior shoulder dislocation, accounts for approximately 95% of all shoulder dislocations.”

This overview aims to delve into the distinct differences and commonalities in knee injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding, as well as provide insights into risk factors and injury prevention techniques.

I am dedicated to helping ski enthusiasts enjoy their time on the slopes without the risk of debilitating shoulder injuries. A proactive approach that encompasses both pre-skiing preparations and on-slope techniques is my top recommendation for shoulder injury prevention.

Dr. Sterett concentrates on the distinct characteristics of shoulder dislocations, including their cause clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. Hopefully you will come away with a better understanding of shoulders that “pop out”, are first time dislocations, and who is at risk for recurrence or other related injuries.

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Shoulder ligaments — the fibrous tissues that connect the bones of the shoulder joint to each other — can tear due to repetitive or traumatic stress.

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Any damage to the muscles or tendons in the biceps can result in pain. Here are two common causes of bicep pain and what the treatment options are for each.

Here are some of the most common shoulder injuries Team Sterett treats in mountain bikers (and how we help get them back on the bike).

Your shoulder joint is composed of muscles, bones, and tendons. An injury to any section (or sections) of your shoulder can cause painful shoulder symptoms.

When there’s a tear to the rotator cuff, the pain can be severe and prolonged. At that point, Dr. Sterett and his Vail Valley team may recommend surgery.