Muscle · Neck & shoulder · Deltoid / shoulder
Shoulder pain
Common at this spot
Ordered by how common, not by search volume.
-
Shoulder impingement syndrome
A pinching, catching pain in the front and outer shoulder when you raise your arm overhead
Get help right away ifGet urgent help if the pain came on suddenly and is very bad, if you cannot move your arm, if the shoulder is swollen or has changed shape, if numbness does not go away, or if it started after an injury or a fall.
Why it happens
The tendons in the shoulder, or the cushioning sac between them, become irritated. Pain that is worse while using your arm or shoulder is the mark of this group.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the shoulder pain is getting worse or has not improved after 2 weeks, or if it is very difficult to move your arm or shoulder.
Source: NHS (UK)
-
Rotator cuff tear
The arm stalls at certain angles, and lying on that side at night hurts
Get help right away ifIf your arm became weak after a sudden shoulder injury, see a doctor as soon as you can.
Why it happens
The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that holds the top of your upper arm bone in the shoulder socket. Most injuries are wear-and-tear from doing the same arm movements over and over — especially reaching overhead. A sudden fall or lifting something heavy can also tear it at once.
How it feels
- Pain in the upper arm or shoulder
- Worse when you lift the arm or reach out to the side
- Weakness in the arm
- Clicking or popping when you move the arm
When to see a doctor
Get it checked if you are having trouble using your shoulder.
-
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
The shoulder won't turn in any direction, and it aches more at night
Why it happens
The tissue around the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, then tightens and shrinks. Often there is no clear reason why it starts. It can follow an injury or surgery that kept you from moving the arm normally, and it is more common in people with diabetes.
How it feels
- Shoulder pain, which may be worse at night
- Stiffness that makes the shoulder hard to move
How long it usually lasts
It can take months or even years, but the pain and stiffness do eventually go away.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the pain and stiffness do not go away, or if the pain is bad enough that moving your arm and shoulder is difficult.
Source: NHS (UK)
-
Shoulder dislocation / subluxation
Pain with an uneasy feeling that the shoulder is about to slip out
-
SLAP tear
A catching click deep in the shoulder when throwing or reaching back