Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is when you have discomfort or pain in or around your shoulder joint. It’s very common, and there are a lot of possible causes.

Most shoulder causes of pain aren’t serious or dangerous, but a few of them can be. That’s why it’s important to know when shoulder pain needs attention from a trained healthcare professional.

Your shoulder has the biggest range of motion of any joint in your body. But that range has a drawback: Your shoulder is actually four different joints right next to each other, and they’re vulnerable to painful injuries. You can also have shoulder pain from a number of diseases.

Describing what your shoulder pain feels like

Shoulder pain can feel different, depending on what’s causing it. Describing what it feels like and the circumstances around it to a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis much easier. Some key features of pain can include:

• If it started after an injury: If your pain started after an injury event, like a fall or blunt force trauma, that’s key information to tell a provider.
• Speed of development: Did your pain develop gradually, or did it start suddenly?
• Location of the pain: Is your pain in a specific place, like at the front, back or directly at the top of your arm?
• Pain spread: Does the pain spread? If yes, where does the pain start, travel through and stop?
• Pain features: Is the pain sharp or dull? Does it feel like burning or tingling?
• Activity effects: Does the pain get worse with certain movements or activities? Do any movements or positions make it better? Is there anything you can’t do now that you could do before?
• Weakness effects: Are you noticing any muscle weakness? Do you have instances where you suddenly drop something you were holding in the hand of the affected arm?
• Mobility effects: Does your arm have its usual range of motion? Does it freeze up or lock in place? Or does your shoulder pop out of place?
• Impacts on sleep: Does the pain get worse when you sleep a certain way, or is the pain making it harder to sleep?
• Changes you can see or feel: Do you have any swelling or bruising? Does your shoulder feel warm or tender to the touch?

What are the most common causes of this symptom?

Shoulder pain can happen for a wide range of reasons. Some of the most common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Arthritis (especially osteoarthritis)
• Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis
• Brachial plexus injury
• Broken collarbone
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Rotator cuff tear
• Scapula fracture
• Separated or sprained shoulder
• Shoulder bursitis
• Shoulder fracture
• Tumors, including a benign growth or malignant cancer pressing on a nerve

Referred pain from non-shoulder conditions

Sometimes, pain from other body areas may radiate or travel to your shoulder. Referred pain in your shoulder can come from nearby areas, like your neck, back or chest. Some conditions that can cause this include:

• Aortic dissection
• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism

These conditions are all medical emergencies. If you experience shoulder pain plus one or more symptoms of any of these, you need immediate medical care. Call 911 (or your local emergency services number) right away.

Is shoulder pain a sign of a heart attack?

Shoulder pain on its own isn’t a sign of a heart attack. If you have sudden, intense left-side shoulder pain with other heart attack symptoms, you need immediate medical care. Symptoms to watch for include chest pain, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, or having a feeling of “impending doom.”

How is shoulder pain treated?

The treatments for shoulder pain depend on the cause. Some of the most common treatments include, but aren’t limited to, one or more of the following:

• Rest: Sometimes, your shoulder just needs time to heal on its own. This may include immobilization, like wearing a sling, to keep your shoulder still.
• Ice: Cold packs or ice can help with swelling and ease pain.
• Medications: Sometimes, all you need is simple, over-the-counter medications like NSAIDs. With severe cases, you might need prescription-strength medications for inflammation and pain.
• Physical therapy: This focuses on strengthening your shoulder after recovering from an injury or condition. It can help prevent the condition — and the pain — from coming back.
• Surgery: In some cases, you might need surgery to either repair damage or replace your shoulder joint. This is usually the best option when other treatments haven’t helped or the damage is severe.

If you’re having referred pain from another condition, your treatment can look very different from the ones listed. In all cases, your healthcare provider is the best person to explain your treatment options and give you recommendations.

When should this symptom be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

You should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider if you have shoulder pain that:

• Causes severe pain and/or swelling
• Lasts longer than a few days
• Gets worse over time instead of better
• Keeps you from using your arm

Shoulder pain is a warning that something’s not right. If you try to work through the pain and keep using your shoulder, it might end up hurting more. In severe cases, you might cause serious or even permanent damage.

When shoulder pain needs immediate care

Shoulder pain needs immediate medical attention when it:

• Happens with sudden tingling, numbness, muscle weakness or paralysis
• Happens along with a sudden inability to use your arm as usual
• Might involve a broken bone

Is shoulder blade pain a sign of cancer?

Certain types of lung cancer, like a Pancoast tumor at the top part of your lung, can cause shoulder blade pain in addition to upper back pain. But these tumors are rare. For a cancer screening, visit a healthcare provider.