Shoulder pain causes & treatment

The shoulder is made up of joints, muscles and tendons that work together so you can lift your arms. When something goes wrong with the joint, muscles or tendons, it can lead to shoulder pain.

Up to 70% of people will have shoulder pain at some point, and it becomes more common as you get older. Shoulder problems can keep you from doing the things you enjoy, and they can even make it difficult to do routine tasks like washing your hair or getting dressed. Shoulder pain can also make it hard to sleep.

Shoulder pain expertise

If your shoulder pain continues for a long time, it’s important to consult a doctor to get your shoulder problems diagnosed early to prevent any further damage. Our team of specialists is ready to diagnose and treat your shoulder pain with the most advanced and effective options available.

• Top experts: Our team includes fellowship-trained surgeons who specialize in a full range of advanced shoulder repair treatments.
• State-of-the-art care: We're experts on the latest techniques and technology in orthopedics, including minimally invasive and arthroscopic procedures.
• Personalized shoulder pain treatment: Your care plan will be tailored to your individual needs and goals, and we'll explore the least-invasive options possible for your specific case.

Shoulder pain symptoms & causes

Shoulder pain can be caused by deterioration of muscles, tendons, cartilage or joints over time. It can also be caused by a shoulder injury from a fall or repetitive overuse.

If you have both right and left shoulder pain at the same time, the cause of your shoulder pain could be poor posture or activities that require use of both shoulders such as lifting or carrying heavy objects. Simple stretching and rest should help.

Shoulder injury symptoms

The following symptoms often indicate a shoulder injury:

• Sudden and sharp shoulder pain
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain along with swelling, pressure or bruising
• Constant pain or pain that continues to worsen
• Pain that prevents you from falling asleep or wakes you up
• No pain relief after several days of rest, icing and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)

Conditions that cause shoulder pain

A variety of conditions can cause shoulder pain, including:

• Arthritis: Arthritis in the shoulder happens when cartilage breaks down and no longer protects the ends of your bones. If you feel deep pain in the back of your shoulder, you might have shoulder arthritis.
• Heart attack: If you suddenly feel pain in your left shoulder, it could be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 if you feel sudden pressure or a crushing pain in your left shoulder, especially if the pain also extends to your jaw, chest and left arm.
• Rotator cuff tear: This condition can happen with a single event like falling or it can result from gradual deterioration over time. If you have shoulder pain at night that makes it hard to sleep or jolts you awake, you may have a tear in one or more of your rotator cuff tendons.
• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis): If you’re unable to move your shoulder at all, you may have a frozen shoulder. This condition is more frequent in people with diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and it can last several months. It can happen when the connective tissue in your shoulder joint thickens and stiffens.
• Shoulder instability: People who dislocate their shoulder can develop shoulder instability. This means the top of the arm bone repeatedly pops out of the shoulder socket very easily. Damaged muscles and tendons make it easier for the joint to slip out.
• Crepitus (joint popping): If you move your shoulder and hear a popping or cracking sound, you might have crepitus. The sound comes from air moving inside your joint, and it’s usually harmless. See your doctor if the popping also causes shoulder pain.
• Shoulder separation: The ligaments between your collarbone and shoulder blade can tear from a fall, sports injury or car accident. Surgery is usually not necessary, and most people recover in two to 12 weeks.
• Shoulder fractures: If you break a bone in your shoulder, you may need surgery to repair it. If the fracture is severe, you might need shoulder replacement surgery.

Shoulder pain tests & imaging

We use advanced diagnostic tools to get to the source of your shoulder pain. Tests to pinpoint the cause of your shoulder pain may include:

• MRI: This imaging test uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.
• X-rays: These imaging tests create images of the structures inside your body – particularly your bones.
• CT scan: A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to create pictures of your organs, bones and other tissues. It shows more detail than a regular X-ray.
• MRI arthrogram: An MRI arthrogram is a specialized type of MRI that takes detailed pictures of your joints.

Shoulder pain treatment

Doctors use a variety of techniques to treat shoulder pain. Our orthopedic experts start with the least invasive shoulder pain treatment methods, only moving to more invasive treatments if necessary. Depending on your specific shoulder problem or injury, your doctor may recommend: