Symptom

Shoulder pain

The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the human body. Its wide range of movement means that injuries can happen easily.

There are three bones that make up your shoulder: the collar bone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm bone (humerus). There are four tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place, called rotator cuff tendons. You can get problems when these are damaged or swollen or there are changes to the surrounding bones.

Symptoms of shoulder problems include pain, usually happening when you reach overhead or behind your back. Inflamed muscles and tendons cause pain and lack of movement in the shoulder. Other symptoms may include weakness in the shoulder and a deep ache, often worse at night. This can make simple activities like dressing, bathing, and even sleeping difficult. But treatment can help.

Treatment does vary depending on your injury. Visit us to confirm the diagnosis of your shoulder pain.

Please use the table below to find out more information about a specific symptom or treatment:

Symptoms

Treatments

  • ACJ injury
  • Degenerative conditions of the shoulder
  • Painful arc syndrome
  • Upper limb disorders
  • Upper limb fractures and injuries
  • Upper limb surgery
  • Shoulder Instability
  • Subacromial Decompression
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Shoulder manipulation
  • Shoulder replacement 
  • Shoulder surgery (rotator cuff repair)
  • Shoulder stabilisation


If you have any queries or concerns, or would like to make an appointment to see a consultant please fill in the form on the right and we'll call you back.

Related conditions

Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries

Your acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) is the area where your collarbone meets your shoulder blade.

Bursitis

Bursitis is when bursae, fluid filled sacs, become inflamed

Calcific tendonitis

Chronic pain

Pain that lasts for longer than three months is called chronic pain. The pain can be a result of illness, an injury or accident or have no apparent trigger. It may vary in intensity and be in any part of your body.

Degenerative conditions of the shoulder

Cartlidge in the shoulder can wear down over time.

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is when the range of motion in your shoulder becomes restricted and painful.

Inflammatory arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Your body’s normal defence system begin triggers an attack on the cells in the lining of your joints.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in England and Wales.* The most frequent cause of lung cancer is smoking.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a degenerative disease and is often referred to as "wear and tear" of a joint as you get older.

Painful arc syndrome

Painful arc syndrome or impingement syndrome is a very common shoulder problem. Symptoms occur when you raise your arm overhead or lift your arm to the side away from your body.

Rheumatic Disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

Rotator cuff tear

Shoulder impingement

Shoulder instability

The shoulder joint is very movable, but as a result can dislocate easily.

Tendonitis

The tissue that attaches muscles to a bone is called a tendon. Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon or the muscles around a tendon.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis occurs when a tendon is injured or irritated or the sheath is injured causing restricted movement pain and swelling.