Shoulder Injuries Athletes Should Know About — And How to Treat Them

Hi, I’m Kat – physiotherapist and co-founder of Lake Therapy. Shoulder injuries in athletes are incredibly common—regardless of age, sport, or skill level. Whether you’re playing rugby, swimming laps, or training in the gym, your shoulders take on a surprising amount of stress. Repetitive overhead motion, heavy lifting, and impact collisions all put your joints at risk.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most frequent shoulder injuries in athletes, how they happen, and what you can do to recover—and prevent them from coming back.

Free Injury Screening for Shoulder Injuries in Athletes

Not sure whether your shoulder pain needs professional support?

You can book a free screening with us at Lake Therapy. We’ll assess your range of motion, pain patterns, and strength—and help you figure out your best next step.

How the Shoulder Works (And Why It’s Prone to Injury)

Before we get into shoulder injuries in athletes, it’s helpful to understand just how complex this joint really is.

The shoulder is made up of:

• The humerus (upper arm bone)

• The scapula (shoulder blade)

• The clavicle (collarbone)

These bones form a ball-and-socket joint that allows for incredible mobility. However, that same mobility makes the shoulder less stable—and more prone to injury.

Your shoulder is supported by:

• The rotator cuff (a group of four key muscles and their tendons)

• Ligaments and soft tissue that provide extra stability

When any of these components are strained, torn, or inflamed, shoulder pain can quickly become a major problem for athletes.

The Most Common Shoulder Injuries in Athletes

If you’re an athlete dealing with shoulder discomfort, you’re not alone. These are the injuries I see most often in the clinic:

1. Rotator Cuff Injuries

Common in: Throwing events, tennis, swimming, weightlifting
Cause: Repetitive use, trauma, or ageing-related wear

Symptoms:

• Pain when lifting the arm

• Weakness or restricted movement

• Difficulty sleeping on one side

Treatment:

• Rest and physiotherapy

• Anti-inflammatories

• Surgery (if fully torn)

2. Shoulder Impingement

What it is: A pinching of the rotator cuff due to reduced space in the joint
Common causes: Repetitive overhead movements, poor posture, muscle imbalances

Symptoms:

• Sharp pain during lifting

• Limited range of motion

• Pain reaching behind your back

Treatment:

• Posture correction and mobility exercises

• Rest and inflammation management

• Cortisone injections (when needed)

3. Shoulder Dislocation

What happens: The head of the upper arm bone comes out of the socket
Common in: Contact sports like football, wrestling, rugby

Symptoms:

• Sudden, intense pain

• Visible deformity

• Inability to move the arm

Treatment:

• Emergency reduction

• Immobilisation and physiotherapy

• Surgery for recurring dislocations

4. Labral Tears

What it is: Damage to the cartilage ring (labrum) that stabilises the joint
Causes:

• Trauma (fall or impact)

• Repetitive stress (especially from throwing or lifting)

Symptoms:

• Clicking, catching, or locking

• Shoulder instability

• Decline in athletic performance

Treatment:

• Conservative rehab for minor tears

• Arthroscopic surgery for major tears

How to Prevent Shoulder Injuries in Athletes

The best way to handle shoulder injuries in athletes? Prevent them before they happen. Here’s what I recommend to my clients:

• Warm up with dynamic movement
  Before training or competition, prepare the joints with light cardio and movement-based stretches.

• Strengthen the supporting muscles
  Focus on the rotator cuff, deltoids, scapular stabilisers, and upper back—not just your chest and arms.

• Check your technique
  Poor form can put unnecessary stress on your joints. Work with a coach or trainer when needed.

• Build gradually
  Avoid big jumps in training intensity or volume.

• Vary your routine
  Cross-training reduces the risk of overuse injuries by spreading load across different muscles and joints.

Treatment and Recovery for Shoulder Injuries in Athletes

Treatment depends on the severity of your injury—but here’s what we typically include in recovery plans:

• Rest and activity adjustment
  Reduce strain while your body heals.

• Anti-inflammatory medications
  Used short-term to reduce swelling and pain.

• Corticosteroid injections
  For inflammation that doesn’t settle with rest or Physiotherapy.

• Surgery
  Usually for complete tears or repeated dislocations.

• Physiotherapy
  Absolutely essential—helps restore motion, build strength, and support your return to sport safely.

How Lake Therapy Supports Shoulder Injuries in Athletes

At Lake Therapy, our sports rehab approach is tailored to you and your sport.

Here’s what a typical programme might include:

• Gentle manual therapy to reduce stiffness and improve joint mobility

• Targeted strength work for the rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and postural muscles

• Movement retraining to improve mechanics and reduce injury risk

• Step-by-step return-to-play protocols

• Preventative guidance so your shoulder stays strong long after you’re pain-free

We work with athletes at every level—so whether you play casually or competitively, we’ll help you get back to peak form.

Book Your Free Discovery Call and Start Feeling Stronger

Shoulder injuries don’t have to keep you on the sidelines. If you’re noticing discomfort, loss of power, or instability during sport, let’s get ahead of it together.

Book your free Discovery Call
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Warmly,
Kat