A rotator cuff injury typical occurs when an individual suddenly overuses their arm during sport or repetitive movements resulting in shoulder pain around the outside of the shoulder which may travel down the arm.

A rotator cuff injury may include tendonitis of the shoulder, where one or more tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become inflamed or painful. In addition, those same muscles may have partial tears or full tears.

Other shoulder injuries may include shoulder separations, shoulder dislocations, shoulder bursitis or ligament injuries.