Causes of Shoulder Pain

Pain in the shoulder may be caused by overuse or be the result of a fall, a blow, or other injury.

Referred Pain

Referred pain is a pain felt in the shoulder that is actually a symptom of injury or illness somewhere else in your body. If you feel sudden pain in your left arm, tightness in your chest, shortness of breath, or pain in your jaw with no known cause, it could be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 immediately.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis can be caused by doing the same motion repeatedly. Moving quickly and moving too much can inflame tendons, leading to tendinitis. Tendinitis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. Pain from tendinitis may be constant, or you may feel pain only when you move a certain way.

Bursitis

Bursitis is caused by an inflamed bursa. Bursas are the small, fluid-filled sacs
in and near the joints. They cushion and lubricate areas around both the joints and the tendons. Bursitis makes a soft, fluid-filled lump in the joint, which causes pain and swelling. A sudden increase in activity can cause bursitis. Acute bursitis often heals in 7 to 10 days with self-care. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better in 10 days.

Trauma to the Shoulder

Trauma to the shoulder from a sudden twist, fall, or blow can lead to a sprain, shoulder dislocation, partial dislocation, or broken bone. With any of these, you may hear or feel popping, snapping, or tearing when the injury occurs. You may be unable to move your shoulder and the shoulder may be visibly deformed.

A fall or blow to the shoulder also can cause a separation of the collarbone and the front of the shoulder, called an acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation. The joint can be bruised, or the ligaments may be stretched or torn. With this kind of injury, a painful lump may form at the end of the collarbone, on top of the shoulder, and you may have trouble raising your arm over your head.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Rotator cuff injury is damage to the tendons or other parts of the shoulder. These injuries can come from a fall or a blow to the shoulder. They are often caused by repetitive overhead motions, such as throwing a softball, painting a ceiling, or swimming. Symptoms of rotator cuff injury include shoulder pain at night and when you raise or lower your arm between waist and shoulder. If your tendons are compressed, pain may be worst when the arm is raised with the palm down. Your arm or fingers also may tingle or feel numb.

Caring for Shoulder Pain

• Use the RICE method.
• Take a medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Be less active until you feel better.
• If there is no swelling, apply heat to the affected area before activity. Do not apply heat if there is swelling.
• Ice the painful area after activity.
• If your symptoms don’t improve after 10 to 14 days, call your doctor.
• Follow any instructions for physical therapy.