What Does a Torn Shoulder Ligament Feel Like?

Two things typically tear in the shoulder.

One would be the ligaments or capsule of the shoulder, which is instability right where your shoulder is coming in and out of the socket. It feels unstable. The second would be the rotator cuff, which is a muscle that turns into a tendon and typically presents itself as just pain.

People have pain with motion, especially behind the back when reaching overhead out to the side when lifting. Both can present with pain. People with instability sometimes just have pain. A lot of cuffs have pain. Both can present as a weakness as well with certain movements and activities that are unique to each person.

But the most common symptoms are pain with certain activities and some pain at rest.