You likely hear your shoulder moving due to tendons and muscles sliding over bones. This is often perfectly normal, but sometimes it indicates a problem.
Understanding Shoulder Sounds
The clicking or popping sound you hear in your shoulder is usually caused by the movement of tendons and muscles around the shoulder joint. These tissues glide over bones and, sometimes, this movement creates audible clicks or pops. This is often harmless.
However, as stated in the reference material, a clicking sound can also indicate damage to a tendon or muscle in the shoulder. This is especially true if the sound is accompanied by pain or if the sound is new and worsening.
Common Causes of Shoulder Clicking/Popping
- Normal Tendon and Muscle Movement: Most often, the sounds are benign and related to the normal mechanics of the shoulder joint.
- Subluxation: A partial dislocation of the shoulder joint can cause clicking or popping sounds.
- Impingement: When tendons are compressed or irritated, they can create audible noises.
- Rotator Cuff Tear: A tear in the rotator cuff muscles can also lead to clicking or popping.
- Labral Tear: Tears in the labrum (cartilage of the shoulder joint) may also produce a clicking sound.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs cushioning the shoulder joint) can cause clicking.
When to See a Doctor
While many shoulder clicks are harmless, it's important to consult a doctor if:
- The clicking is accompanied by pain.
- The clicking is new and worsening.
- You experience decreased range of motion in your shoulder.
- You've recently suffered a shoulder injury.
Important Note: The provided reference highlights that a clicking shoulder often means tendon or muscle damage, usually from sports injuries or overuse. Therefore, while it's common for shoulders to make sounds with movement, pain or a sudden change warrants medical attention.
