How does our site make you feel?
Great   Indifferent
Skip to main content

5 Conditions That Cause Lasting Shoulder Pain

5 Conditions That Cause Lasting Shoulder Pain

You can feel pain in your shoulder as a result of many injuries or conditions, and not all of them may be problems with the shoulder joint itself. However, when it comes to long-lasting pain, medically referred to as chronic pain, chances are good that it’s from one of five common musculoskeletal issues. 

For a diagnosis of chronic shoulder pain, you’ll likely be living with the pain for more than six months. The most common source of problems is the rotator cuff, a capsule of muscles and tendons that surround, stabilize, and support the shoulder joint. However, it’s not always the problem. 

For an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, visit the shoulder pain experts at Westside Pain Specialists

Treatment for shoulder conditions always starts with conservative methods, becoming more aggressive only when your shoulder doesn’t respond. While it’s a concern for many patients, surgery is typically a last resort for chronic conditions. 

5 conditions that cause lasting shoulder pain

There are plenty of reasons why your shoulder might hurt, including bone breaks, bursitis, and sprains. Usually, though, they respond to rest and treatment, so the pain associated with the conditions usually stops in a period of days or weeks, manageable with common pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications. 

The most common causes for chronic shoulder pain are: 

Let’s take a look at each of these disorders. 

Rotator cuff injuries

Problems with the rotator cuff are more common after age 40 and will usually interfere with overhead movements of the shoulder. The joint could become weak, causing pain as you sleep, and various shoulder movements may be more restricted than normal. Injuries often result because of progressive wear on the tendons of the shoulder. 

Acromioclavicular arthritis

The shoulder has two joints, the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints. When arthritis affects the acromioclavicular joint, where the collarbone and shoulder blade meet, you have trouble reaching across your body as well as pain at the top of the shoulder. A shoulder injury early in life could increase your risk for this problem. 

Glenohumeral arthritis

The upper bone of the arm, the humerus, fits into a shallow socket called the glenoid on the shoulder blade. Arthritis here causes pain and motion restrictions as well as cracks, clicks, and pops as your shoulder moves through its normal range of motion. 

Glenohumeral instability

If you have a history of shoulder dislocations, the glenohumeral joint may become unstable, leading to further dislocations due to the stretching of ligaments that compromises the strength of the muscles that hold the arm bone in the socket. 

Adhesive capsulitis

Commonly known as frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis is an unusual long-term condition. While you’ll be in pain with restricted mobility, the condition gets worse and then resolves itself in 1-3 years. An inability to make a hitchhiking motion with your hand usually accompanies the condition. 

Your priority may be controlling shoulder pain, regardless of its origin. Start the road to recovery with a visit to Westside Pain Specialists in Beverly Hills or Rancho Cucamonga. Call the nearest office to book your consultation today. 

We offer treatment for neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, along with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Call us to book your appointment today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Targeting Your Pain With Precision Medicine

Targeting Your Pain With Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is a simple concept of building treatment around the individual characteristics of a patient and their conditions. But it’s not yet a common practice, given the technical limitations that existed in the past.
3 Signs That You Need Help With Back Pain

3 Signs That You Need Help With Back Pain

While back pain is a common problem, it can create debilitating pain on a daily basis. Many times, you can rest your way through the pain, though there are cases when you need medical care to resolve your issues.

When to See a Shoulder Pain Specialist

Managing shoulder pain with the assistance of a medical specialist can reduce or eliminate the need for more aggressive medical treatments, including surgical procedures or joint replacements.

4 Lifestyle Habits That Fuel Neck Pain

Creating good posture habits, particularly through some common, everyday activities and tasks, can relieve some of the strains and stresses that fuel neck pain. Changing a few small negative habits might free you from chronic pain problems.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Anemia: What to Expect

When your body has too few red blood cells, you may suffer from symptoms of anemia. Among many types of anemia, iron deficiency is the most common. When you suffer from extreme anemia, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be the answer.

5 Nonsurgical Treatments for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can sometimes be difficult to treat, particularly when its long-lasting effects change the way nerve signals stimulate the brain. Drug therapy loses effectiveness and has damaging side effects of its own.