"Dealing with shoulder pain can make it tough to get through your day, stay active, or even get a good night's sleep," says Matthew D. Driscoll, MD, Orthopedics at ARC. The shoulder is made up of several joints that combine with tendons and muscles to allow a wide range of motion in the arm while connecting your upper arm to the rest of your body. "When something in your shoulder doesn't feel quite right, like an injury or strain, the pain can spread down your arm or around your shoulder blade (also called the scapula) and interfere with your mobility."
Common causes of shoulder pain
- Arthritis: Shoulder pain can also be caused by arthritis, most commonly osteoarthritis—often called wear-and-tear arthritis. It usually starts in middle age and gets worse over time. Osteoarthritis may be linked to past injuries or ongoing joint wear.
- Rotator cuff tear: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder that worsens at night. A tear in this area can lead to pain, weakness, and difficulty raising the arm. Common causes are injury, overuse, and aging.
- Overuse and injury: Activities that involve heavy lifting, playing sports, or repeating the same motion can put stress on the shoulder. Overuse can strain the muscles and lead to ongoing shoulder problems. A fall or sudden impact can also cause bruising, a broken bone, or damage to the tissues in the shoulder.
- Bursitis: Bursitis happens when a small, fluid-filled sac in the shoulder, called a bursa, becomes irritated or inflamed from excessive use. Bursitis often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis. The pain and inflammation can make many daily activities, such as combing your hair or getting dressed, difficult.
- Poor posture: Sitting or standing with poor posture can put extra stress on the shoulders, neck, and upper back. Over time, this can lead to discomfort or pain between the shoulder blades and may even contribute to shoulder impingement, a condition where tendons become pinched during movement.
- Bone spurs: Bone spurs are small bony growths that can develop near the shoulder joint. They may press on nearby nerves or tendons, causing pain, tingling, or numbness in the arm or hand. In some cases, they can lead to symptoms similar to carpal tunnel syndrome or make it harder to move the shoulder.
Get the right diagnosis for the right treatment
Shoulder pain can show up as a sharp pain, an ache, or dull discomfort in your upper arm, shoulder blade, or side. You might also have swelling, weakness, limited movement, or a combination of any of these symptoms. "There are many possible causes of shoulder pain, and because the signs and symptoms can be so similar, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis from a specialist," says Dr. Driscoll. "That way, you can get the treatment that's right for your specific shoulder problem and start your path to recovery."
An ARC orthopedic doctor or advanced practice clinician (APC) can help figure out what's really causing your pain and create a treatment plan. Whether it's rest, exercise, medication, physical therapy, or even surgery, the right care can help you feel better and get back to your usual activity.
Learn more about shoulder care at ARC.
About Dr. Driscoll
Dr. Driscoll specializes in shoulder care, arm and elbow care, hip care, knee care, adult and pediatric orthopedic care, and sports medicine. He is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and has a Fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy from the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Driscoll sees patients ages 10 and older at three locations.
Make an appointment today
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Driscoll through ARC MyChart or by calling: