A shoulder sprain or strain involves an injury to the soft tissues of the shoulder. A shoulder sprain involves damage to the ligaments (the bands of tissue that connect bones together) and strains involve injuries to muscles and tendons. Injuries often happen during high-velocity or contact sports such as skiing, snowboarding, football, rugby and wrestling.

A shoulder injury usually occur around one or more of the joints that connect the four bones (the acromion, sternum, clavicle and scapula). A shoulder sprain or strain can be quite mild or at the other extreme can result in a complete tear.

​

Symptoms of shoulder sprains and strains may include

• Reduced mobility of the shoulder

• Pain when trying to move the shoulder

• Swelling around the shoulder, tenderness, redness or bruising around the shoulder