Shoulder pain

Shoulder Pain is a common condition that refers to any pain in or around the shoulder joint. The pain can originate from the joint itself, or from any of the many surrounding muscles, ligaments or tendons. Shoulder pain can also be referred from other areas of the body, such as the neck or upper chest.

Causes

Shoulder pain can have a number of different causes, including:

• Rotator cuff disorders: These are the most common causes of shoulder pain, and include tendonitis, bursitis, and rotator cuff tears.
• Frozen shoulder: This is a specific form of shoulder stiffness and pain that can develop gradually, get worse and then finally go away. This can take anywhere from a year to three years.
• Shoulder instability: This can be a chronic condition that causes frequent dislocations of the shoulder.
• Arthritis: The two most common forms of arthritis in the shoulder are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Fracture: Fractures of the shoulder bones can cause severe shoulder pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of shoulder pain is typically done through a combination of patient history, physical examination, and imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. The exact tests used will depend on what the doctor suspects to be the underlying cause of the shoulder pain.

Treatment

Treatment for shoulder pain will depend on the underlying cause, but may include rest, physical therapy, pain medication, corticosteroid injections, or surgery. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be used.

See Also

• Rotator cuff tear
• Frozen shoulder
• Shoulder instability
• Arthritis
• Fracture