Shoulder Pain

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Shoulder Pain: Common Causes

The tendons pass underneath a rigid bony arch of the shoulder blade (scapula), called the acromion. The most common cause of shoulder pain is called "impingement syndrome," which is when the tendons become trapped under the acromion. This compresses the tendons and can cause them to become inflamed or damaged, a condition called rotator cuff tendinitis. This can occur from general wear and tear as you get older, from an activity that requires constant use of your shoulder like baseball pitching, or from an injury.

Shoulder pain can also be due to:

• Arthritis in the joints about the shoulder (gradual narrowing of the joints and loss of protective cartilage).
• Bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac, or bursa, that lies between tendon and skin or between tendon and bone). The normal role of a bursa is to protect the joint and help make movement more fluid.
• Fractures of the shoulder bones can happen from trauma or injury to the shoulder.
• Frozen shoulder syndrome occurs when you don't move your shoulder because of pain or injury. The muscles or connective structures stiffen up inside the shoulder and make any motion very painful and difficult.
• Inflammation of nearby tendons (such as those connected to the bicep muscles of your arms) from overuse or an injury. You may not be able to pinpoint when or why pain from tendinitis began.
• Dislocation of your shoulder, which is when the ball-shaped head of your arm comes out of the socket, can happen from a fall onto your shoulder or outstretched hand.