8 Causes of Shoulder Pain You Might Not Know

Shoulder pain is a common complaint in the United States: according to some estimates, 67 percent of people will experience shoulder soreness at some point in their life. Your shoulders are made up of bones that are held in place by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They are the most movable joints in the body. They're all made to function together to give the shoulders the freedom to move in a variety of directions.

You can do everything from raising your arms above your head to throwing a baseball and scratching your back with this. Unfortunately, this movement comes at the cost of stability, making the shoulder susceptible to injury.

For a definitive diagnosis of your shoulder pain, you'll need to see your doctor. A physical exam, as well as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound, may be performed during that visit, and you may be referred to physical therapy straight away.

Here are a few of the many reasons why your shoulder could hurt and how to find relief until you know for sure what's causing it.

1. Rotator cuff tendonitis 

Repeatedly doing the same motion can induce tendonitis, or inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, which can cause shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is similar to a tire in that it thins out with age or use and finally wears down. Shoulder discomfort and weakness are common symptoms of tendonitis, and they are frequently moderate at first, only evident when you move the joint; but, over time, they can grow more severe and present all of the time.

2. Rotator cuff tears 

A shoulder tendon can also be partially or fully torn as a result of repetitive motion or direct trauma, such as a fall.

An acute rip, or one that occurs rapidly, can be excruciatingly painful. A chronic tear causes shoulder discomfort, weakness, and stiffness, and on the other hand, increases with time and is typically undetected when it first appears.

3. Frozen shoulder 

Frozen shoulder patients present with extreme stiffness and an inability to move their shoulder normally, as well as varying degrees of shoulder pain. Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, occurs when the connective tissue that lines your shoulder joint thickens and becomes inflammatory. 

The exact cause of frozen shoulder is unknown, as is the reason why middle-aged women are more prone to it. Other factors can increase your risk of developing the disease. Frozen shoulder can affect up to 20% of persons with diabetes, and people with thyroid issues or Parkinson's disease are also at risk for this form of shoulder pain.

4. Shoulder bursitis 

Do you have a deep, aching pain that is hot and swollen? Shoulder bursitis, or inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that offers a smooth surface for muscles and bones to slide over, is likely. Bursitis causes pain on the outside of your shoulder, which is exacerbated when you raise your arm above your head.

5. Labral tears 

The labrum, a small rim of soft cartilage that surrounds the border of the shoulder socket and helps keep the shoulder secure yet movable, is commonly torn in professional athletes. However, these tears are a common occurrence in the general public. Almost half of middle-aged men and women have a labral tear as a result of years of utilizing their arms.

6. Shoulder impingement 

Shoulder impingement is common to occur following repetitive overhead activities, such as swimming. The tendons and bursa in your shoulder get impinged, or pinched, between the bones of your shoulder, making it unpleasant to move your arm. Various positions, such as reaching overhead, reaching back, and sleeping on the affected side, can all aggravate the symptoms.

7. Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis (OA), often known as degenerative joint disease, is caused by wear and tear on the shoulder joint. The disease causes the firm, rubbery cartilage that functions as a cushion between the bones and allows them to slide smoothly against each other to be destroyed. Shoulder pain and swelling can limit your range of motion as the cartilage breaks down and the bones of the joint rub against each other.

8. Shoulder instability 

When an already lax shoulder is overused, chronic strain and exacerbated instability can ensue, especially if the ligaments that assist in holding the shoulder in the socket are continually challenged.