Shoulder pain

Considerations:
Pain located around the shoulder is infrequently serious. Most of the time the pain comes from the ligaments or tendons near the joint and not from the joint itself.

Common Causes:

Note: There may be other causes of shoulder pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for shoulder pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
For shoulder injuries the best advice is Rest, Ice, Maintenance of Mobility, and Strengthening (or RIMS). As soon as shoulder pain is felt, apply ice for 30 minutes, then let the shoulder rewarm for the next 15 minutes. Continue this cycle for several hours, but be careful not to freeze the skin.

Rest the shoulder for the next 2 days. After a rest period, gradually begin to strengthen the shoulder muscles. Light weight lifting, with an emphasis on full range of motion, is recommended.

NSAIDs will help decrease inflammation.

Some sports-related shoulder problems are caused by poor technique. Preventing possible problems may be cheaper than getting medical help to fix a problem.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • the pain is felt as a pressure, heaviness, or pain behind the breastbone that is referred to the shoulder.
  • there is fever , swelling and redness, or inability to use the joint.
  • the pain is caused by an injury.
  • the pain persists beyond 1 week.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your shoulder pain in detail may include:

  • distribution
    • Does the pain affect both shoulders (symmetrical)?
    • Is the pain shifting from the shoulder to other joints?
    • Is the pain involving the front ( anterior ) part of shoulder?
    • Does the pain occur when the arm is lifted overhead or away from the body (abduction)?

  • time pattern
    • Did the pain begin suddenly and severely?
    • Did it begin slowly and mildly and then get worse?
    • Did the pain resolve spontaneously in less than 6 weeks?

  • other
    • What other symptoms are also present?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the shoulder. Diagnostic tests that may be performed vary depending on the results of the physical examination.

Intervention:

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be given.
  • A corticosteroid injection may be given.
  • Instructions on rehabilitation should be given.
  • Surgery is a last resort.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to shoulder pain to your personal medical record.