What’s Causing My Shoulder Pain?

A shoulder pain is one of the most common pains in a human body as among all the joints in the body, the shoulder has the widest range of motion. A group of four muscles and their tendons make up the rotator cuff, which gives the shoulder its broad mobility. While this ball-and-socket joint makes movement easy, it also lacks stability. Thus, there are often issues that result in rotator cuff injury, such as swelling, damage or bone changes, with shoulder pain being a likely result.

Here are a number of potential causes of shoulder pain.

Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Dislocation: The top of the arm may pop out of the socket if the shoulder is pulled back too hard or rotates too far, leading to shoulder pain, weakness, and potential swelling, numbness and bruising in the shoulder.

Separation

Where the collarbone and shoulder blade meet is known as the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. The ligaments holding this joint together can be torn apart by a hard blow, resulting in shoulder pain. A bump on top of the shoulder may appear if the collarbone is pushed out of place.

Fracture

The most common fractures and bone breaks occur in the collarbone and upper arm bone, causing intense pain and possible bruising around the shoulder. The shoulder may sag if the collarbone is broken, and the arm may not be able to lift. Scapula (shoulder bone) breaks are less frequent.

Cartilage Tear

Cartilage lines the rim of the shoulder joint, and this can be injured through repetitive motion, or anytime the shoulder absorbs a lot of force. It may induce shoulder pain when you reach overhead and the shoulder may seem weak, or like it is catching or locking.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Injury, overuse or degenerative changes may result in the splitting or tearing of the rotator cuff tendons. This may be partial or completely separate the tendon from bone. If you have a rotator cuff injury, you may experience more shoulder pain at night or when you attempt to lift things.

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this refers to stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint that begins slowly and gets worse. Joint movement is limited due to the build-up of abnormal tissue bands, often the result of having to keep a shoulder still for long periods of time, such as in an arm break. Symptoms may improve over the course of a few years.

Impingement

The tendons of the rotator cuff may get pinched under the bones of the shoulder when the arm is lifted away from the body. In this type of rotator cuff injury, swelling and shoulder pain may occur, possibly leading to tendinitis or bursitis in the shoulder.

Bursitis

Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs located in joints around the body, including the shoulder. These may become swollen, irritated or inflamed through repetitive motion, causing bursitis in the shoulder. Shoulder pain in this instance will be most noticeable when the shoulder moves.

Other Causes of Shoulder Pain

Arthritis: Pain in the shoulder may arise from osteoarthritis – wear and tear on the joints – or rheumatoid arthritis – an inflammatory joint condition. This type of shoulder pain may develop slowly from middle age onwards and worsen with time.

Tendinitis

Most tendinitis is a result of inflammation in the tendon. Tendinitis of the shoulder may be acute, as a result of repetitive motion such as in sport, or chronic, as a result of degenerative diseases or age-related wear and tear.

Bone Spurs

Also known as osteophytes, small, smooth pieces of bone may rub against the rotator cuff, affecting movement. These may lead to tendinitis or a rotator cuff injury such as a tear.

Brachial Plexus Injury

The network of nerves that sends signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm and hand is known as the brachial plexus. Injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or – more seriously – torn away from the spinal cord, inducing shoulder pain. Minor brachial plexus injuries are common in contact sports, known as stingers or burners.

Referred Pain

An issue elsewhere in the body, such as the neck, may cause referred or radiating pain in the shoulder. Neck issues in this instance will likely be coupled with a tingling sensation in the hand or arm. In rarer instances, pain may be referred from organs such as the gallbladder or liver.

Heart Attack

Shoulder pain along with labored breathing or a tight chest may be a symptom of a heart attack and requires emergency medical attention. Many shoulder injuries may simply improve with rest and medicine. In some instances, however, surgery may be required. Regardless of the course of action or severity, most treatment plans will include exercises to help strengthen and stretch the joint, and improve the range of motion.