Shoulder pain

Shoulder pain is any pain felt around in and around the shoulder joint. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. See Glenuhumeral Joint

Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can have many different causes. It can be caused by an injury, such as a rotator cuff tear, or by conditions such as arthritis or bursitis. Shoulder pain can also be the result of overuse or repetitive motions. Treatment for shoulder pain depends on the underlying cause.

Common Causes:

The most common cause of shoulder pain occurs when rotator cuff tendons become inflamed or irritated under the bony part of the shoulder where the three bones of the shoulder meet: the scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collarbone) and humerus (upper arm bone).

Other common causes for shoulder pain include:

  • Arthritis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Bone spurs
  • Bursitis, which is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (bursa) that normally protects the joint and helps it move smoothly
  • Broken shoulder bone
  • Dislocation of the shoulder
  • Shoulder separation
  • Overuse or injury of nearby tendons, such as biceps or trapezius
  • Tears of the rotator cuff tendons
  • Poor shoulder posture and mechanics