On this page. The shoulder What causes shoulder pain? Signs and symptoms of shoulder pain Diagnosing shoulder pain Treating shoulder pain Self-management of shoulder pain When to be concerned about shoulder pain Long-term outlook for shoulder pain Where to get help Contributors. Shoulder pain is common in our community. The shoulder The shoulder is a complex, highly mobile structure made up of several components. There are two joints in the shoulder: glenohumeral joint — where the upper arm bone humerus connects with the shoulder blade scapula acromioclavicular joint — where the top of the shoulder blade meets the collarbone clavicle.
Strong tendons, ligaments and muscles also support your shoulder and make it stable. What causes shoulder pain? Osteoarthritis Cartilage is a smooth, cushiony tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet in a joint. Inflammation of the shoulder capsule The synovial membrane of the shoulder may become inflamed — this is called 'synovitis'.
Inflamed bursa Pain associated with an inflamed bursa is also common in the shoulder. Injuries and sprains Ligaments are soft tissues that connect bones to bones. Neck and upper back Problems with the joints and associated nerves of the neck and upper back can also be a source of shoulder pain. Injury to the axillary nerve This nerve can be injured as a result of a shoulder dislocation or fractured humerus, and cause weakness in moving the arm outwardly away from the body.
Referred pain Shoulder pain may also be caused by problems affecting the abdomen for example, gallstones , heart for example, angina or heart attack and lungs for example, pneumonia. Signs and symptoms of shoulder pain There may be many causes of shoulder pain.
They all have their own unique set of symptoms. Diagnosing shoulder pain Health practitioners who treat shoulder pain are trained to investigate and identify the exact cause of the condition or injury causing the pain.
They will do this by: asking about your shoulder pain, including potential causes for example, recent injuries or other health conditions , if you have had shoulder pain before, things that make your pain worse, things that make it better conducting a thorough physical exam. X-ray X-rays provide images of the bones and joints.
Ultrasound Ultrasounds are typically used to investigate the rotator cuff tendon for inflammation, tears or rupture. Treating shoulder pain There are many treatments for shoulder pain. Physiotherapy One of the first treatment approaches for shoulder pain involves physiotherapy and modifying the activities that aggravate the pain.
Occupational therapy If your shoulder pain is making everyday activities difficult, it may be helpful to see an occupational therapist. Heat and cold packs Heat and cold packs may help provide you with temporary relief of pain and stiffness. Medication Medications such as paracetamol and low dose anti-inflammatories can be helpful in controlling pain while you work to maintain and restore movement and function.
Surgery For most people, shoulder pain will improve over time with appropriate, conservative treatment. Surgery may be required for the following conditions: recurring or frequent dislocations acute rotator cuff tears tears that have recently occurred as the result of an injury chronic rotator cuff tears tears that occur as a result of wear and tear as you age severe joint damage as a result of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Self-management of shoulder pain Most people with shoulder pain will recover from their condition. When to be concerned about shoulder pain It can take some time for shoulder pain to settle, perhaps weeks or months.
Long-term outlook for shoulder pain Most people with shoulder pain will find the condition will settle over time. National Help Line Tel. Give feedback about this page.
Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all bones muscles and joints. Related information. From other websites Choosing Wisely Australia. Musculoskeletal Australia.
TAC - Locate a health or service provider. Conditions Treated A-Z. Shoulder Pain. Definition Shoulder pain is any pain in or around the shoulder joint. Alternative Names Pain - shoulder Considerations The shoulder is the most movable joint in the human body. Causes The most common cause of shoulder pain occurs when rotator cuff tendons become trapped under the bony area in the shoulder. Shoulder pain may also be caused by: Arthritis in the shoulder joint Bone spurs in the shoulder area Bursitis, which is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac bursa that normally protects the joint and helps it move smoothly Broken shoulder bone Dislocation of the shoulder Shoulder separation Frozen shoulder, which occurs when the muscles, tendons, and ligaments inside the shoulder become stiff, making movement difficult and painful Overuse or injury of nearby tendons, such as the bicep muscles of the arms Tears of the rotator cuff tendons Poor shoulder posture and mechanics Shoulder joint dislocation This animation shows a dislocation of the shoulder joint.
References Gill TJ. Editorial team. Find a Doctor Request a Callback. Share This Page: Post Tweet. While you may be tempted to stop moving when you experience pain from osteoarthritis, doing so can actually make the problem worse because it allows the muscles to stiffen and shorten.
This may ultimately make it even harder for you to move the way you want to. Performing simple stretches two to three days a week see "Simple shoulder stretch exercises" can help keep your muscles flexible and reduce pain, provided your doctor approves.
Starting position: Sit up straight on a chair. Put your left hand on your right shoulder. Cup your left elbow with your right hand. Movement: Roll your shoulders down and back, then gently pull your left elbow across your chest as you extend your left arm.
Feel the stretch in your left shoulder. Return to the starting position, then repeat on the opposite side.
This is one rep. Starting position: Sit up straight. Place your right hand on your right shoulder. Clasp your right elbow with your left hand. Movement: Keeping your shoulders down and back, lift your right elbow up toward the ceiling to the point of tightness.
Feel the stretch in the back of your upper right arm and shoulder. Return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side. Movement: Roll your shoulders down and back. Clasp your hands behind you, intertwining your fingers so your palms face you.
Gently lift your hands toward the ceiling to the point of tightness. Feel the stretch in the front of your shoulders and across your chest. Slowly return to the starting position.
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Do stay active and gently move your shoulder try shoulder exercises for 6 to 8 weeks to stop pain returning — the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has exercises for shoulder pain stand up straight with your shoulders down and gently back sit with a cushion behind your lower back rest your arm on a cushion in your lap use pain relief so you can keep moving — try painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen , and heat or cold packs.
Try either a: pack of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 3 times a day hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Find a pharmacy. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Urgent advice: Get advice from a GP or now if:. Other ways to get help Go to an urgent treatment centre Urgent treatment centres are places you can go if you need to see someone now. They're also called walk-in centres or minor injuries units.
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