Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain refers to discomfort in any part of your shoulder joint. It is a common condition caused by rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, injury, nerve problems, musculoskeletal conditions, and more.

UPMC experts provide comprehensive shoulder care, including surgical and nonsurgical treatment. Our team will develop a treatment plan that reduces your symptoms, restores your mobility, and improves your quality of life.

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On this page

• What Is Shoulder Pain?
• What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Pain?
• How Do You Diagnose Shoulder Pain?
• How Do You Treat Shoulder Pain?

What Is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain refers to discomfort in any part of your shoulder joint. It is a common condition caused by rotator cuff tears, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, injury, nerve problems, musculoskeletal conditions, and more.

What causes shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by conditions including:

• Arthritis — Can cause your shoulder joints to become painful and swollen.
• Impingement — Also called rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis, impingement happens when soft tissue in your shoulder becomes trapped under your shoulder bones, causing inflammation and pain.
• Injury — Broken bones, bruising, shoulder dislocation, shoulder separation, shoulder instability, rotator cuff tears, or overuse can cause shoulder pain.
• Musculoskeletal conditions — Shoulder pain can be caused by bone spurs, bursitis, tendonitis, tendon tears, and frozen shoulder (shoulder stiffness).
• Nerve disorders — Nerve damage that causes abnormal shoulder movement may contribute to shoulder pain.
• Shoulder mechanics — Poor posture and shoulder mechanics can cause shoulder pain.

What causes shoulder pain without injury?

There are many causes of shoulder pain without injury, including arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, nerve disorders, impingement, and poor shoulder mechanics.

What are shoulder pain risk factors and complications?

Shoulder pain risk factors

You may be at increased risk of shoulder pain if you:

• Are older.
• Have a job or hobby that requires repetitive shoulder motions, especially reaching, lifting, pushing, or pulling.
• Have a shoulder deformity.
• Have an injury to your shoulder.
• Play a sport that requires throwing or swinging, such as golf, baseball, or tennis.

Complications of shoulder pain

Other than pain and discomfort, most cases of shoulder pain do not cause serious complications. However, severe injuries that are left untreated may cause permanent injury to your shoulder.

How can I prevent shoulder pain? 

Not all types of shoulder pain can be prevented. However, you may be able to reduce your risk by taking good care of your shoulders.

Your doctor may recommend:

• Avoiding shoulder strain during exercise — When exercising, be sure to warm up and gradually increase the intensity of your routine, especially when lifting weights.
• Getting adequate rest — If you participate in sports that require throwing or swinging, such as golf, baseball, or tennis, be sure to take days off to reduce your risk of injury.
• Stretching — Stretching your shoulders can help reduce your risk of injury and promote proper shoulder mechanics.
• Using proper shoulder mechanics — When reaching overhead, lifting, pushing, or pulling, use proper body mechanics to reduce your risk of shoulder strain.

How common is shoulder pain?

Shoulder pain is a common condition, especially among athletes, older people, and people with jobs requiring reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting.

What is the most common reason for shoulder pain?

The most common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis — also called shoulder impingement. This condition occurs when your rotator cuff tendons become inflamed and damaged from being trapped under the bones in your shoulder.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can cause different sensations depending on the condition you have.

Sensations may include:

• A dull ache.
• Burning.
• Numbness.
• Sharp pain with movement.
• Stiffness.
• Tingling.
• Warmth.
• Weakness.

When should I see a doctor about my shoulder pain symptoms?

You should see a doctor or get emergency care for your shoulder pain if:

• It is sudden, severe, or occurs after an injury.
• You have severe bruising.
• You have redness or swelling in your shoulder.
• Your shoulder pain doesn’t improve after one to two weeks of at-home care.

When should you not ignore shoulder pain?

You should never ignore consistent shoulder pain. If you have pain that doesn’t get better after a few days of at-home care, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Sometimes, shoulder pain can be a sign of a heart attack. If you feel pressure or a crushing pain in your shoulder that seems to radiate from your chest, or if you experience other heart attack symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating, you should dial 911 right away.

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How Do You Diagnose Shoulder Pain?

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests to diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

• Ask about any medications you’re taking.
• Ask about recent activities or injuries.
• Order imaging tests.
• Perform a physical exam.
• Review your health history.

Tests to diagnose shoulder pain

• Arthrogram — A type of x-ray imaging study that involves injecting dye into your shoulder to highlight your shoulder joint and nearby muscles and tendons.
• CT scan — A CT scan is a test that creates images of your bones, nerves, and tissues.
• Electromyography (EMG) — Sometimes called an electromyogram, an EMG allows a doctor to record and study the electrical activity of your muscles.
• MRI scans — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within your body.
• Nerve conduction study (NCS) — An NCS measures the speed of electrical activity passing through your nerves.
• X-ray — X-ray is a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

Shoulder pain prognosis

Most cases of shoulder pain will improve with nonsurgical treatment. However, you may need surgery to treat your shoulder pain — especially if it is severe or caused by a problem with your joint or an injury. After treatment, most people with shoulder pain experience improved symptoms and can continue doing the activities they enjoy.

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How Do You Treat Shoulder Pain?

The goals of shoulder pain treatment are to reduce symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the cause of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment options may include:

At-home care

If you have shoulder pain that is causing mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend at-home care, including:

• Heat and/or ice.
• Over-the-counter medications to manage pain.
• Physical therapy.
• Rest.

What is the best painkiller for shoulder pain?

Several over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers can help you manage shoulder pain. Your doctor will tell you which OTC painkiller is safe for you and will provide the best relief for your symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as:

• Limiting activities that cause shoulder strain.
• Learning proper body mechanics for reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Shoulder-strengthening exercises.
• Stretching to relieve muscle tension.

Steroid shots for shoulder pain

If your shoulder pain is severe and has not responded to other treatments, your doctor may recommend shots to inject an anti-inflammatory steroid medication into the affected part of your shoulder.

Steroid shots may be used to treat:

• Arthritis.
• Bursitis.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Tendonitis.

Surgery for shoulder pain

Some conditions that cause shoulder pain require surgical treatment, such as:

• Arthritis.
• Broken bones.
• Damaged cartilage.
• Nerve disorders.
• Rotator cuff tears.
• Shoulder dislocation.
• Shoulder instability
• Shoulder separation.
• Torn tendons or ligaments.

Your doctor will recommend a surgical procedure and treatment approach that will relieve symptoms, improve your quality of life, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.

Common surgical treatments include:

Shoulder arthroscopy

Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat a range of shoulder conditions. During shoulder arthroscopy, your surgeon will look inside your shoulder joint with a special camera and repair problems using small surgical instruments.

Arthroscopy may be used to treat:

• Cartilage injuries or damage.
• Cysts inside the shoulder joint.
• Fractures (broken bones).
• Ligament injury or damage.
• Nerve disorders.
• Recurrent shoulder dislocation (chronic shoulder instability).
• Rotator cuff injury or damage.

Shoulder reconstruction or replacement

Shoulder reconstruction is a surgical procedure to repair shoulder damage. Shoulder replacement involves removing your damaged shoulder joint and replacing it with an artificial joint.

Shoulder reconstruction or replacement may be used to treat:

• Arthritis.
• Fractures.
• Osteonecrosis.
• Previous failed shoulder replacement surgery.
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (changes in the shoulder joint caused by a rotator cuff tear).

Why choose UPMC for shoulder pain care?

When you choose UPMC for your shoulder pain care, you will receive:

• Access to world-class orthopaedic expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of shoulder disorders using the latest surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
• Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your shoulder pain and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
• A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical care, as well as minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches, depending on your individual care needs.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-02-28.