Introduction

The shoulder is an elegant joint that provides tremendous motion. It allows for movement of the arm and hand into many locations. This versatility, unfortunately, costs the shoulder in the price of many injuries. The following discussion reviews the anatomy of the shoulder and common injuries. The disabled athlete and non-athlete are particularly prone to shoulder problems due to significant forces imparted to the shoulder with wheelchair use. In addition, disabled individuals with arm weakness often have shoulder problems due to muscle imbalances.