{"id":15201,"date":"2025-03-23T16:01:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T16:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/is-your-shoulder-clicking-after-surgery-heres-what-it-could-mean\/"},"modified":"2025-03-23T16:01:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-23T16:01:42","slug":"is-your-shoulder-clicking-after-surgery-heres-what-it-could-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/is-your-shoulder-clicking-after-surgery-heres-what-it-could-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Shoulder Clicking After Surgery? Here’s What It Could Mean!"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n Blog Article<\/title><\/p>\n<style>\n body {\n font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\n line-height: 1.6;\n margin: 20px;\n }\n h2 {\n color: #2c3e50;\n }\n p {\n color: #34495e;\n }\n ul {\n margin-left: 20px;\n color: #34495e;\n }\n <\/style>\n<p><\/head><br \/>\n<body><\/p>\n<p>If you’ve recently undergone shoulder surgery, particularly a rotator cuff repair, and are now experiencing a clicking or popping sound when you move your arm, you’re not alone. Many people wonder if this is a sign that something is wrong or if it’s a normal part of the recovery process. In this blog, we’ll delve into the possible causes of these sounds post-surgery and what they might indicate about your shoulder’s healing journey. With insights from Dr. David Guyer, a leading orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, this discussion aims to provide clarity on whether these noises are a natural occurrence or something to be concerned about. Whether it’s related to inflammation, abnormal mechanics, or simply the stiffness of your shoulder adjusting post-procedure, we’ll explore the common factors at play and when it might be time to consult your doctor. Join us as we unravel the mystery behind post-surgical shoulder sounds, helping you navigate your recovery with confidence and understanding.<\/p>\n<h2>Possible Causes of Shoulder Clicking<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Inflammation and Thickening of the Bursa:<\/h3>\n<p>The bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and tendons, and other muscle tissues. After surgery, it can become inflamed, leading to noises as the shoulder moves.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Why It Happens:<\/strong> Surgical intervention can cause irritation or inflammation, making the bursa thicken or swell, creating sounds during arm movement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Post-Surgery Impact:<\/strong> Typically, this inflammation is temporary and subsides as recovery progresses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>2. Altered Shoulder Mechanics:<\/h3>\n<p>The surgery itself, along with the post-operative weakening of surrounding muscles, can alter the shoulder’s normal movement patterns temporarily.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mechanics After Surgery:<\/strong> After surgery, especially in the initial stages, muscles are usually weakened, and the shoulder may not move as fluidly as it once did. This can lead to clicking as each muscle gets back to its usual function.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rehabilitation Role:<\/strong> Physical therapy is crucial in restoring normal mechanics and strength, gradually reducing these sounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>3. Stiffness Breaking:<\/h3>\n<p>Your shoulder will naturally be stiff immediately following surgery. As you start physical therapy and exercises, it’s not unusual to hear noises as you break through this stiffness.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sound Explanation:<\/strong> This is similar to the “cracking” some people experience in their knuckles, and typically, it’s part of the healing process.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exercise Importance:<\/strong> Engaging in prescribed exercises can help alleviate stiffness, reducing clicking over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>When to Worry<\/h2>\n<p>While these sounds are usually benign, there are instances when you might want to consult your orthopedic specialist:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Persistent Sound:<\/strong> If the clicking doesn’t diminish with rehabilitation or persists beyond several months, it could warrant further investigation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accompanied Pain:<\/strong> Clicking combined with severe pain, swelling, or a decrease in shoulder function might indicate an issue that needs medical attention.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Functional Impairment:<\/strong> If the sound affects your shoulder’s ability to function correctly, it’s essential to discuss this with your doctor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Managing Shoulder Sounds<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Follow Your Rehab Plan:<\/strong> Adhering to your physical therapy routine is crucial. Therapists will guide you through movements that enhance your shoulder’s strength and flexibility, gradually eradicating abnormal sounds.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monitoring Changes:<\/strong> Keep track of any changes in the sound’s frequency or accompanying symptoms. This information is valuable during your follow-up visits with your surgeon.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consult Professionals:<\/strong> If you’re unsure or concerned about any noises or sensations, reach out to your healthcare team. They can provide reassurance or investigate if necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Recovery Outlook<\/h2>\n<p>Embracing patience and persistence is essential in the path to recovery. Shoulder surgery, like rotator cuff repair, requires time and effort to regain full motion and strength. Remember that the sounds you’re experiencing are often just a part of this journey.<\/p>\n<p>As Dr. David Guyer points out, orthopedic surgeons seldom worry about clicks or pops unless associated with other worrying symptoms. Your body’s healing, and often these noises are just the background soundtrack of recovery. Equip yourself with knowledge, embrace the therapy process, and maintain open communication with your healthcare providers to ensure a successful rehabilitation.<\/p>\n<p>For ongoing concerns, connect with your orthopedist, and don’t hesitate to share your recovery experiences with your medical team to receive tailored advice and peace of mind. Your shoulder’s clicks are part of a larger narrative, one that will see you return to an active and pain-free life with proper care and time.<\/p>\n<p><\/body><br \/>\n<\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blog Article If you’ve recently undergone shoulder surgery, particularly a rotator cuff repair, and are now experiencing a clicking or popping sound when you move your arm, you’re not alone. Many people wonder if this is a sign that something is wrong or if it’s a normal part of the recovery process. In this blog, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-15201","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/butikhus.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}