By Dr. Chris Thomas, MD, FAAPMR
Medical Director, Performance Ortho Somerset

For over 25 years, Performance Ortho has treated thousands of cases involving shoulder pain. Varying degrees of structural issues, instability and pain across patients dictate treatment decisions and recovery outcomes.

The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, which in turn makes it one of the most vulnerable to instability and overuse injury. Shoulder popping, clicking, or cracking is extremely common and often harmless. However, when popping is accompanied by pain, weakness or loss of motion, this may be a red herring for structural issues.

In this blog, we’ll examine causes of shoulder popping, introduce possibilities of underlying injury or joint degeneration, and get into diagnosis and treatment options across central NJ through Performance Ortho’s innovative approach to care.

The Shoulder Anatomy

The shoulder is what we call a ball-and-socket joint. Your labrum, rotator cuff tendons, and surrounding ligaments stabilize the joint, but as we age or overuse these stabilizers, the joint begins to fail structurally. Because the shoulder prioritizes mobility over stability, it has an extremely wide range of motion, but is also more susceptible to:

• instability
• tendon irritation
• cartilage injuries
• snapping or popping sensations

The structures surrounding the shoulder must work together precisely. Even small imbalances can create abnormal movement or joint sounds. This is why early evaluation is key once you start feeling pain, clicking or popping within the joint. Ignored imbalances over time can alter joint function permanently, requiring surgery and/or extended downtime to revert damages.

Common Causes of Shoulder Popping

As stated, shoulder popping likely results from harmless joint mechanics or underlying structural issues. Pain and weakness are the main identifiers if your shoulder needs targeted medical intervention.

“Not every popping shoulder is a serious problem, but persistent clicking combined with pain or weakness should never be ignored. Early evaluation helps us identify issues before they progress.”

— Dr. Chris Thomas, Medical Director, Performance Ortho

Labrum Tears

Labrum pain is often seen amongst patients presenting with pain and popping in the shoulder. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder socket. After repeated overhead activity or gradual wear and tear, this cartilage can tear. Symptoms may include clicking during shoulder rotation, deep pain ‘underneath’ the shoulder or weakness during lifting.

Depending on severity, labral tears may respond well to conservative treatment, especially when caught early. Otherwise, minimally invasive surgical options are available, focused on restoring mobility without intensive post-operative rehabilitation.

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition categorized by intense stiffness and reduced range of motion in the shoulder. Sharp clicking and popping pain are often seen in frozen shoulder patients as mobility becomes restricted. This condition is commonly seen amongst diabetes patients and is often also a result of post-injury immobility after weeks to months of little to no use of the joint. At Performance Ortho, regenerative medicine is often deployed to stimulate healing in frozen shoulders and restore function without the need for surgery or medications.

Regenerative medicine treats common and complex orthopedic conditions by harnessing the body’s own healing potential and isolating it around the area of need. At Performance Ortho, we’re proud to be regional pioneers in regenerative medicine, offering extensive Physician expertise and thousands of satisfied patients who’ve received disjointed and invasive care elsewhere.

ARTHRITIS or Joint Degeneration

As cartilage in the shoulder wears down, joint surfaces become less smooth, friction increases, and grinding or popping sensations may occur. General arthritis and degeneration within the joint are common and often unavoidable as active adults age.

That’s why we’ve pioneered our Joint Preservation Center at Performance Ortho. Designed for all joints, the Joint Preservation Center prioritizes early intervention and identification of joint degeneration, designed to help patients manage symptoms and delay or negate the need for more invasive procedures. If you’re experiencing popping, clicking or grinding within your shoulder, explore joint preservation options now while non-invasive intervention is still viable.

When Should You Be Concerned

While occasional painless popping is common, certain symptoms may indicate a more significant shoulder issue.

Symptoms worth evaluating include but are not limited to:

• Pain that accompanies the pop, especially sharp or persistent pain
• Repeated or worsening clicking
• Frequent catching or grinding sensations
• Weakness, instability, or limited range of motion
• Difficulty lifting overhead
• Shoulder feels loose or unstable
• Pain or swelling at nighttime
• Inflammation worsens when lying down

“Patients often try to ‘push through’ shoulder symptoms, especially active adults. But persistent popping with weakness or pain is usually the body signaling that something isn’t moving properly.”

— Dr. Thomas

Shoulder popping alone does not always indicate a serious problem, but frequent, painful, or worsening symptoms deserve proper evaluation.

Contact Performance Ortho for More Information

If you’re experiencing shoulder discomfort, or simply want to stay ahead of potential issues, Performance Ortho and their innovative Joint Preservation Center provide a proactive, non-surgical path forward.

With convenient locations in Branchburg, Somerset, Watchung, and Hillsborough, our team provides personalized, non-surgical solutions designed to protect your joints and your lifestyle.