The shoulder girdle complex

The shoulder joint is better described as the shoulder girdle, because it consists of several joints, all of which take part in shoulder movement:
– the glenohumeral joint connects the shoulder blade and the upper arm
– the acromioclavicular joint connects the acromion of the shoulder blade and the collarbone
– the costovertebral joint connects the ribs and the vertebrae
– the sternoclavicular joint connects the breastbone and the collarbone
– the sternocostal joint connects the ribs and the breastbone
– the scapulocostal joint connects the shoulder blade and the ribs

Shoulder movements also activate all the other neighbouring joints and connections. The complex nerve supply, the bursae, tendons, ligaments and many other structures can all contribute to reduced function and pain in the shoulder. Pain referred from the neck and internal organs must always be ruled out.

The rotator cuff is a group of stabilisers of the shoulder blade and shoulder, made up of four muscles:
– supraspinatus
– infraspinatus
– teres minor
– subscapularis

Many other muscles also help to stabilise the shoulder, such as the deltoid, biceps, teres major, rhomboids, serratus anterior, trapezius and levator scapulae.

Treating a painful shoulder is complex work that requires a specialist examination, diagnostics and rehabilitation.