Common Causes & Conditions of Shoulder Pain — What You Should Know
What causes shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can result from injury, overuse, degeneration, or underlying medical conditions. It often stems from soft tissue strain, joint inflammation, nerve impingement, or structural damage.
What are the common causes of shoulder pain?
- Rotator cuff injuries (strains, tears)
- Bursitis (inflammation of the bursa)
- Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons)
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Arthritis (wear-and-tear or inflammatory)
- Shoulder instability or dislocation
- Labral tears (including SLAP tears and Bankart lesions)
- Fractures or traumatic injuries
What are the risk factors for shoulder pain?
- Repetitive overhead movements
- Sports injuries (e.g., tennis, swimming)
- Aging and degeneration
- Poor posture or biomechanics
- Previous shoulder injuries
- Manual labor or repetitive strain activities
What causes shoulder pain without an injury?
- Degenerative conditions like arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Tendonitis from overuse
- Poor posture leading to impingement
- Referred pain from the neck or spine
What is a rotator cuff injury?
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons stabilizing the shoulder. Injury may involve:
- Strains from overuse
- Partial or full-thickness tears
- Tendon degeneration with age
What are the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear?
- Shoulder weakness
- Pain when lifting or rotating the arm
- Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
- Clicking or popping during movement
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa — small fluid-filled sacs reducing friction. It causes pain, swelling, and limited movement, especially during repetitive motion.
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis refers to inflammation of tendons, usually due to overuse or strain. In the shoulder, this often affects the rotator cuff tendons, causing pain with motion or at rest.
What is frozen shoulder?
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition where the shoulder capsule stiffens, leading to pain and significant restriction of movement over time.
What is arthritis in the shoulder?
Arthritis causes joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain. The most common type is osteoarthritis, a degenerative “wear-and-tear” condition.
What is a dislocated shoulder?
A dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone pops out of the shoulder socket, usually due to trauma. It often causes severe pain, deformity, and limited motion.
What is a separated shoulder?
A separated shoulder involves injury to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, often from a fall or impact.
What is a labral tear?
The labrum is cartilage that deepens the shoulder socket. Tears can cause instability, clicking, and pain with movement.
What is a SLAP tear?
SLAP stands for “Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior.” It is a tear at the top of the labrum, often from repetitive overhead motion or trauma.
What is a Bankart lesion?
A Bankart lesion is a tear of the lower labrum, commonly associated with shoulder dislocations, leading to instability.
What is shoulder impingement?
Impingement occurs when soft tissues like tendons or bursa are pinched during shoulder movement, causing pain, especially with overhead actions.
What is shoulder impingement syndrome?
This refers to the repetitive pinching of the rotator cuff tendons or bursa, leading to chronic pain, inflammation, and limited motion.
What is shoulder instability?
Instability means the shoulder is prone to slipping out of place due to weakened structures, often following injury or repeated strain.
What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and allow controlled arm movements.
Can my neck pain be related to my shoulder pain?
Yes. Neck conditions such as cervical spine disorders or nerve compression can refer pain to the shoulder. It’s important to assess both areas during diagnosis.
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