Shoulder Surgery Education & Recovery Resources – Miami Specialists

This page contains information about the Shoulder anatomy and common conditions. Read more below.

Anatomy: Basics

The shoulder is a complex joint that provides a wide range of motion and stability.

Click each tab to learn about key components:

Bones
Joints
Muscles
Tendons
Ligaments and Labrum

Bones provide the rigid supporting structure for the body and limbs. They are living tissues and undergo constant growth and remodeling.

Clavicle (Collarbone): A long bone that connects the sternum (breastbone) to the scapula. It acts as a strut to support the shoulder.
Scapula (Shoulder Blade): A flat, triangular bone that sits on the back of the ribcage. It includes important parts like the acromion (a bony projection that articulates with the clavicle) and the glenoid (the shallow socket that articulates with the humerus).
Humerus (Upper Arm Bone): The long bone of the upper arm, which fits into the glenoid of the scapula to form the glenohumeral joint.

Joints are formed where two or more bones meet in the body and allow for motion between two otherwise rigid structures. Joint surfaces are covered with cartilage, which protects the bone and allows for smooth movements with minimal friction.

Glenohumeral Joint: This is the main shoulder joint where the humeral head fits into the shallow socket (glenoid) of the scapula, like a ball-and-socket joint. It allows a wide range of motion: abduction (away from the body), adduction (toward the body), flexion (in front of the body), extension (behind the body), and rotation.
Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint: A small joint at the top of the shoulder where the acromion of the scapula meets the clavicle. It plays a role in shoulder elevation.
Sternoclavicular (SC) Joint: Where the clavicle meets the sternum. This joint allows movement of the clavicle, affecting shoulder positioning. This is only true bony articulation between the arm and the body.
Scapulothoracic Joint: Not a true joint but a functional articulation between the scapula and the thoracic ribcage, allowing scapular movement.

Muscles are soft tissues that generate movement in the body. Skeletal muscle consists of elastic fibers that connect bones and create motion by contracting and relaxing.

Rotator Cuff Muscles: Four small but key muscles stabilize the glenohumeral joint.

Supraspinatus: Positioned on top of the shoulder joint and assists in abduction of the arm.
Infraspinatus: Positioned on the top and back of the joint and externally rotates the shoulder.
Teres Minor: Sits below the infraspinatus on the back of the shoulder joint and aids in external rotation, particularly when the shoulder is in the abducted position.
Subscapularis: Positioned on the front of the joint and internally rotates the shoulder.

Deltoid: A large, triangular muscle covering the shoulder, responsible for arm abduction, flexion, and extension.
Pectoralis Major: A large chest muscle that contributes to shoulder flexion, adduction, and internal rotation.
Trapezius: A large muscle extending from the neck to the shoulder blade, involved in scapular movement.
Latissimus Dorsi: A broad, flat muscle that inserts on the front of the humerus allowing for internal rotation, adduction, and extension of the upper arm.
Teres Major: A smaller muscle positioned above the latissimus that aids in internal rotation and extension of the upper arm.

Tendons are fibrous tissues connecting muscles to bones.

Ligaments connect bones to bones, providing stability.

Glenohumeral Ligaments (Superior, Middle, Inferior): Reinforce the glenohumeral joint capsule.
Coracoclavicular Ligament: Stabilizes the clavicle and acromion.
Coracoacromial Ligament: Forms an arch over the humeral head, limiting superior movement.
The Labrum: Is a ring of cartilaginous tissue that lines the shoulder socket and stabilizes the glenohumeral joint.

Shoulder: Common Conditions

Learn about common conditions that affect the shoulder along with surgical procedures and non opertaive treatments.

Impingement

Shoulder impingement occurs when shoulder bones pinch or rub against the rotator cuff, often due to swelling that reduces space in the joint. This can lead to pain and limited movement. Types of impingement include rotator cuff tendinitis, a common cause of shoulder discomfort and inflammation.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, causes gradual shoulder pain and stiffness that worsens over time but typically improves within one to three years. Risk increases with prolonged shoulder immobility, such as after injury or surgery. Early recognition and movement are key to recovery and symptom management.

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is a group of shoulder tendons that support joint stability and movement. Tears can occur from major injuries, often causing pain and limited motion. Rotator cuff tears are a leading source of shoulder pain, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Read more essential information.

Shoulder Instability

Overhead sports and repetitive shoulder use at work can cause the upper arm bone to slip from the shoulder socket, resulting in partial (subluxation) or complete dislocation. This often leads to pain and joint instability, typically with the shoulder dislocating forward (anterior instability), but sometimes backward or downward.

Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis, including osteoarthritis, causes pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, affecting daily life. Age, injuries, and degeneration are key causes. Recognizing symptoms, diagnosis methods, and treatment options—both surgical and non-surgical—can help. Read more essential information for effective management.

Shoulder Surgery Education & Recovery Resources – Miami Specialists

Anatomy: Basics

Shoulder: Common Conditions

Shoulder Pain?

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