Why do I hear a popping noise in my shoulder?

Have you begun to notice an audible clicking noise when you go to move your shoulder or participate in physical activities? Although there may be discomfort associated with this sound, your circumstance may be relatively pain-free or go unnoticed.

This experience, when ignored or left unexamined by a professional, can lead to serious mobility issues in the upper limb. If you’ve begun to notice a weird noise that originates from your shoulder region, here’s what you need to be aware of.

Common Contributors To Shoulder Clicking

While shoulder clicking has a plethora of underlying causes, physicians working in the world of orthopedic treatment have narrowed down the usual suspects. To understand why this clicking occurs, we must explore the various bones that comprise the entirety of the shoulder.

A healthy shoulder is made up of three bones — the clavicle, scapula and humerus — that work in unison to create fluid motion. When you go to throw a ball, put something on the top of a shelf or tie your shoes, your shoulder, and the ligaments attached to the area, move to facilitate the action.

The specialists working at Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center noticed patients that experience frequent clicking have tendons rubbing on their shoulder bones. The connective tissue that comprises the shoulder is stringy and thick. When these ligaments move across the shoulder bones during a given movement, you hear an audible click often followed by pressure.

Another contributing factor that could be causing your shoulder clicking is an issue with your rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is comprised of 4 muscles that attach the humerus to the rest of the shoulder area. When healthy, it allows you to complete everyday tasks with relative ease and fluidity. When it becomes damaged or torn, it can create a clicking noise and immense discomfort. Damage to your rotator cuff is best treated with an easy-to-perform surgery followed by rehabilitation and therapy.

The main component that differentiates between serious issues and a trivial problem is the pain. While occassional popping and cracking is completel normal — crepitus — forms of discomfort are not. If you notice any of these side effects in unison with your clicking, it’s time to seek professional consultation:

• Swelling
• Arm immobility
• Numbness in the shoulder, arm or fingers
• Brusing
• Redness on the skin’s surface
• Shooting pain
• Throbbing

If you’re in the Plano area and want to get rid of annoying shoulder clicking and discomfort, visit us at Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center. Our staff is made up of 12 board-certified surgeons and physical medicine specialists that have treated thousands of patients. They work with individuals in a one-on-one environment to develop a framework tailored to their needs and specifications.

Reach out to us today and get rid of that pesky clicking shoulder and begin living the life you’ve always dreamed of!