• Shoulder pain
• Weakness
• Shoulder fatigue
• Reduced overhead strength
• Clicking around the shoulder blade
• Abnormal shoulder blade movement
• Decreased athletic performance

• Aching around the shoulder blade
• Fatigue with overhead activity
• Shoulder feels weak or uncoordinated
• Grinding or snapping sensation
• Shoulder blade feels out of place
• Difficulty controlling arm movements

• Muscle weakness
• Poor posture
• Repetitive overhead sports
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Shoulder instability
• Long thoracic nerve injury
• Repetitive overuse
• Previous shoulder injury

• One shoulder blade sticks out more than the other during arm movement
• Pain or fatigue with repeated overhead activity
• Difficulty maintaining proper posture
• Shoulder blade moves differently than the opposite side
• Symptoms worsen during overhead motions

Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.

1. 1Reduce painful overhead activities
2. 2Begin posture and scapular stabilization exercises
3. 3Apply ice if sore after activity
4. 4Avoid activities that increase pain
5. 5Schedule a physical therapy or orthopedic evaluation if symptoms persist

• Sudden inability to raise the arm
• Significant weakness after an injury
• Severe shoulder pain following trauma
• Sudden visible scapular winging
• Numbness or tingling in the arm
• Symptoms continue to worsen despite rest

• Physical therapy is the primary treatment
• Strengthen the serratus anterior and lower trapezius muscles
• Improve posture and shoulder mechanics
• Gradually return to overhead sports
• Treat any underlying shoulder injuries
• Stay consistent with rehabilitation exercises