Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025
In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about shoulder clicking and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy
Shoulder Clicking and Shoulder Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
When you move your shoulder, you might hear or feel a clicking, popping, or grinding sensation near the glenohumeral joint (the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder). The shoulder blade (scapula) and humerus bone (upper arm bone) are key components of the shoulder socket and joint. The shoulder is a complex joint made up of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bursae, and this complexity makes it easily injured. This sound is known as crepitus(Aurora Healthcare). The shoulder joint makes various sounds, such as popping noise, popping sound, clicking sound, and cracking sound, which are often completely harmless but can sometimes indicate a more severe shoulder condition. While occasional clicking without pain is often harmless, shoulder clicking combined with pain, stiffness, or swelling can indicate an underlying injury or condition requiring medical attention.
Shoulder pain and injuries are among the top three most common musculoskeletal issues that bring patients to doctors. Understanding shoulder anatomy and the shoulder complex is important for diagnosing and treating shoulder issues. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent complications such as chronic pain, limited mobility, or frozen shoulder.
Causes of Shoulder Clicking
Shoulder clicking can be caused by a variety of shoulder injuries and shoulder popping. Painful clicking or a popping sensation during certain shoulder movements or when raising the arms may indicate an underlying issue. The upper arm bone (humerus) and arm bone play a key role in shoulder movement and are often involved in these injuries.
Common causes of shoulder clicking and pain include:
1.1 Cavitation: The release of gas bubbles within the joint during movement, often harmless and not associated with pain.
1.2 Arthritis: Degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to rough surfaces and crepitus.
1.3 Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a small fluid filled sac within the joint capsule. The bursa acts as a shock absorber and cushion, facilitating smooth movement. Inflammation of this structure can cause pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
1.4 Labral Tears: A labral tear is a specific type of shoulder injury involving the soft cartilage cup (labrum) that lines the shoulder socket. This can cause clicking, pain, and instability in the joint.
1.5 Osteochondroma: A benign bone growth that can cause mechanical symptoms in the shoulder. Clicking can also be related to issues with the shoulder blade or scapula, and snapping scapula syndrome (scapula syndrome) can cause similar symptoms.
1.6 Biceps Subluxation or Dislocation: Instability of the biceps tendon in its groove, leading to a snapping or clicking sound. Tendons pass through the subacromial space and can become unstable, leading to clicking.
1.7 Rotator Cuff Tears: Tears in the rotator cuff tendons can cause abnormal movement and clicking. Strengthening the surrounding muscles is important to support the joint and prevent further injury.
Shoulder injuries, such as labral tears, rotator cuff tears, and snapping scapula syndrome, can all contribute to symptoms like shoulder popping, painful clicking, or a popping sensation. These symptoms may be triggered by certain shoulder movements or activities involving the arms. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important to address the underlying cause and restore healthy function.
Osteoarthritis
With age, shoulder joint cartilage wears down, a condition called osteoarthritis. Cartilage normally cushions the bones, but when it deteriorates, bones may grind against each other, producing clicking or grinding sounds. This can cause stiffness, pain, and nerve compression due to reduced joint space. Osteoarthritis can also affect the joint capsule, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility. Strengthening the surrounding muscles can help support the joint and reduce strain caused by osteoarthritis.
Unhealed Fracture
If a shoulder bone such as the humerus, collarbone, or rib has not healed correctly, bone fragments may rub together and cause clicking. This requires prompt medical attention and sometimes surgical correction.
Bursitis
If you suspect bursitis, it is important to recognize symptoms such as swelling, tightness, and grinding sensations. The shoulder contains bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs located within the joint capsule that reduce friction in the joint. The bursa acts as a cushion and shock absorber, facilitating smooth movement and preventing injury. Injury or repetitive stress may inflame these sacs (bursitis), leading to pain, swelling, and clicking sounds when moving the shoulder (Hammer, 2003). When you suspect bursitis, avoid aggravating movements that can worsen inflammation and delay recovery.
Labral Tears
The labrum is a soft cartilage cup that lines the shoulder socket and stabilizes the joint. A labral tear can occur where the upper arm bone (humerus) meets the shoulder socket, destabilizing the joint. Tears can result from overuse, trauma, or aging, leading to persistent shoulder clicking, grinding, or locking sensations. Labral tears are often painful and limit shoulder function (Pandya et al., 2008).
Osteochondroma
Osteochondromas are benign bone growths on the shoulder, ribs, or scapula. When located near the shoulder blades, they can contribute to snapping scapula syndrome (also known as scapula syndrome), a condition where inflammation or muscle weakness leads to grinding, grating, or snapping sensations as the scapula moves over the ribcage. These can cause clicking when the arm is raised but may also remain asymptomatic (Tandogan et al., 1997).
Biceps Subluxation or Dislocation
A common cause of painful shoulder clicking is biceps tendon instability. The tendon may slip out of its groove due to trauma, repetitive motion, or aging. As tendons pass through the subacromial space, instability in this area can lead to catching, clicking, and popping sounds. This condition can also contribute to neck strain and associated discomfort.
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that are essential for shoulder stability and movement. These muscles and their tendons are vulnerable to injury from aging or overuse. Partial or complete tears can cause clicking, pain, and loss of shoulder strength. Untreated, these injuries may lead to long-term complications such as frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis).
Imaging and Tests
To diagnose shoulder pain and clicking, a healthcare professional will first conduct a physical exam to assess symptoms, including range of motion, muscle strength, and perform clinical tests. Imaging such as X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, or MR-Arthrograms (MRA) may then be ordered. Blood tests may rule out infection or autoimmune causes. These imaging and tests help distinguish between minor shoulder issues and a serious injury or more severe injury that may require advanced medical treatment.
Treatment Options for Shoulder Clicking
Home Treatment
Initially, follow the RICER principle for 48 hours: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Referral (Block, 2010). Other helpful strategies include foam rolling, yoga, and posture correction with sports tape.
Medical Treatment
Treatments may include anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, or massage. If conservative treatments fail, surgical repair such as arthroscopy or shoulder replacement may be required.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat shoulder clicking
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to repair the damage and help shoulder clicking.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of shoulder clicking, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.
Conclusion
Shoulder clicking or popping is often harmless but can sometimes signal underlying conditions such as arthritis, labral tears, or tendon instability. Shoulder crepitus and shoulder popping are common symptoms of various shoulder conditions, including frozen shoulder, bursitis, and scapulothoracic bursitis. If you are experiencing pain or hear a popping sound in your shoulder, it is important to consult a doctor, as these may indicate an underlying shoulder condition. If accompanied by pain, swelling, or limited mobility, medical evaluation is recommended. With early diagnosis and effective treatments—including prolotherapy—most shoulder pain can be successfully managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I be worried about shoulder clicking?
Not always. Shoulder clicking without pain is often harmless. However, if it is accompanied by swelling, stiffness, or severe pain, consult a doctor.
Why does my shoulder click when I rotate it?
Cartilage breakdown, tendon movement, or labral tears can cause bones and tissues to rub, producing clicking sounds during rotation.
Can a rotator cuff tear heal without surgery?
Rotator cuff tears do not fully heal without surgery. However, many patients can regain function and reduce pain through strengthening and physiotherapy.
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating shoulder pain, with patients travelling from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with shoulder pain and providing effective treatment options. He trained in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, and furthered his qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital (London), Keele University, and Heidelberg University in Germany. Over the years, he has treated elite athletes, including Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.
LinkedIn profile: Oliver Eaton
References
- Crepitus: Joint popping. Aurora Healthcare. aurorahealthcare.org
- Hammer, W. (2003). The Clicking Shoulder. Chiroweb.
- Tandogan, R. N., et al. (1997). Unusual causes of scapular clicking. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, 116(8), 516-518.
- Pandya, N. K., et al. (2008). Physical examination and MRI in the diagnosis of labral lesions. Arthroscopy, 24(3), 311-317.
- Block, J. E. (2010). Cold and compression in musculoskeletal injury management. NCBI
- Eyigor, S., et al. (2018). Yoga and shoulder pain in breast cancer patients. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.04.010
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.