What are the most common causes of a shoulder injury?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Shoulder injuries are commonly caused by falls, sports activities, and heavy lifting. These actions can result in sprains, strains, dislocations, or rotator cuff tears. Repetitive overhead movements and poor posture may also contribute to shoulder pain and long-term joint damage.

Because shoulder symptoms can point to many different conditions—ranging from minor muscle strain to a serious rotator cuff tear—it's important to understand what may be causing your pain before it worsens. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes, gauge urgency, and confidently plan your next steps toward relief and recovery.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Shoulder injuries often happen because of certain activities or accidents. Some of the most common causes include falling down, playing sports, or lifting heavy things. These actions can hurt the shoulder in different ways.

Common Causes:

Falls: Falling can lead to injuries like fractures or dislocations.
Sports Activities: Playing sports, especially those that involve throwing or contact, can cause injuries like sprains or rotator cuff tears.
Heavy Lifting: Lifting heavy objects, especially in jobs that require manual labor, can strain the shoulder muscles and joints.

These injuries can cause pain and make it hard to move the shoulder. It's important to be careful and use proper techniques to prevent these injuries. If you hurt your shoulder, you can use a free symptom checker to help understand what might be wrong and determine if you need medical attention.

(References)

Simon LM, Nguyen V, & Ezinwa NM. (2023). Acute Shoulder Injuries in Adults. American family physician, 37192075.
Herberts P, Kadefors R, Högfors C, & Sigholm G. (1984). Shoulder pain and heavy manual labor. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 6499308.
Monica J, Vredenburgh Z, Korsh J, & Gatt C. (2016). Acute Shoulder Injuries in Adults. American family physician, 27419328.

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