Assess shoulder movement, strength, function, and the activities that trigger pain.
OrthoFairfax · Fairfax, Virginia
Shoulder Pain
Learn about shoulder pain, reduced range of motion, and common tendon or joint concerns.
Why OrthoFairfax
A more thoughtful approach to shoulder pain
Care tailored to your symptoms, daily activities, and goals.
Use musculoskeletal ultrasound when helpful for selected tendon and bursa concerns.
Build a treatment plan around restoring comfortable movement and function.
Discuss targeted injections and other non-surgical options when appropriate.
A plan shaped around your priorities, with benefits, limitations, and alternatives discussed with you.
Conditions affecting the Shoulder
Shoulder pain can involve tendons, bursae, the joint capsule, or the surrounding muscles. Symptoms often overlap, so an examination helps distinguish possible causes.
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Understanding these conditions
Explore what each condition may involve and the symptoms people commonly notice.
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy or Tear
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons that helps move and stabilize the shoulder. Irritation or a tear may cause pain when lifting the arm, weakness, or discomfort when lying on that shoulder.
Shoulder Bursitis
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps tissues glide smoothly. When the shoulder bursa becomes irritated, pain may increase with reaching overhead, lifting, or lying on the affected side.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder occurs when the capsule around the shoulder joint becomes thick and tight. It usually causes gradually increasing pain and marked stiffness that makes reaching overhead or behind the back difficult.
Shoulder Impingement-Type Pain
Pain may occur when tissues around the shoulder are compressed or irritated during arm movement. People often notice discomfort when reaching overhead, lifting, or lowering the arm.
AC Joint Arthritis or Sprain
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint sits at the top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. Problems there can cause pain at the top of the shoulder, especially with cross-body reaching or after a fall.
Biceps Tendon Irritation
The biceps tendon helps connect the biceps muscle to the shoulder. Irritation can cause pain at the front of the shoulder, often with lifting, pulling, or repeated overhead activity.
These descriptions are for general education. Similar symptoms can have different causes; a clinician can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Learn about shoulder pain, reduced range of motion, and common tendon or joint concerns. Symptoms can have different causes, and a careful assessment is important before deciding what to do next.
When to consider an evaluation
Consider discussing symptoms with a healthcare professional if they persist, recur, interfere with normal activities, or are associated with swelling, stiffness, weakness, or reduced movement. The history of the problem and a physical examination help guide next steps.
What an evaluation may include
Depending on your symptoms, an evaluation may include a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and consideration of imaging or other tests when appropriate. Not every patient needs imaging, and the best test depends on the clinical question.
Understanding treatment options
Options depend on the cause and severity of symptoms, your health, and your goals. A clinician may discuss activity changes, rehabilitation, medications, selected injections, or referral for further assessment. Each option has potential benefits, limitations, and risks.
Questions to ask
- What are the likely causes of my symptoms?
- What should we do to clarify the diagnosis?
- Which treatment options are reasonable for my situation?
- What are the benefits, risks, alternatives, and expected costs?
This page provides general education only and is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Sudden severe symptoms, major injury, inability to use or bear weight on the affected area, or new significant weakness may need urgent medical assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions. Your clinician can help apply this information to your individual situation.
What commonly causes shoulder pain?
Possible causes include rotator cuff problems, bursitis, frozen shoulder, arthritis, biceps tendon irritation, and injuries. Pain with overhead movement or lying on the shoulder can be useful clues but is not a diagnosis.
Why is shoulder pain worse at night?
Shoulder pain may become more noticeable when lying on the affected side or changing position during sleep. Several conditions can cause this pattern, especially tendon or joint problems.
When should shoulder pain be evaluated?
Consider an evaluation if pain persists, limits reaching or dressing, or is accompanied by stiffness or weakness. Severe pain after injury, deformity, or sudden marked weakness needs prompt assessment.
Will I need imaging for shoulder pain?
Not everyone needs imaging. A clinician may recommend an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI depending on the history, examination, suspected condition, and whether the result will change management.
What non-surgical options may be available?
Depending on the diagnosis, care may include activity changes, mobility and strengthening exercises, physical therapy, medication when appropriate, or selected injections. Recommendations are individualized.
This information is for general education and is not a substitute for an individualized medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
ORTHOFAIRFAX · FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
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