Which part of the shoulder is most vulnerable to injury?

The rotator cuff is considered the most vulnerable part of the shoulder to injury due to its functional role and anatomical positioning. The rotator cuff is composed of a group of four muscles—supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—that stabilize the shoulder joint and enable a wide range of shoulder movements.

Injuries to the rotator cuff are common, especially in individuals who engage in repetitive overhead activities, such as athletes and manual laborers. The vulnerability arises from the nature of these muscles and their tendons, which can become inflamed, torn, or impinged due to wear and tear, acute trauma, or poor biomechanics.

Additionally, the rotator cuff is located in a narrow space beneath the acromion process, increasing the risk of compression injuries. Given that the shoulder joint has a high degree of mobility, this increased range of motion can also contribute to the likelihood of injuries to the rotator cuff when excess stress is placed on it.

While other components of the shoulder, such as the clavicle, glenoid labrum, and acromion process, can also sustain injuries, they do not face the same level of repetitive strain and dynamic loading that