8 Conditions That May Be Causing Your Persistent Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can significantly interfere with daily tasks, such as lifting groceries, reaching overhead, or even getting dressed. When discomfort lingers for weeks or months, it’s often a sign of an underlying issue that needs attention. 

According to board-certified orthopedic surgeon Hansel E. Ihn, MD, who serves patients in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, California, identifying the root cause of shoulder pain is crucial for achieving lasting relief and restored mobility.

In this month’s blog, we explore eight common conditions that may be behind your persistent shoulder pain.

1. Rotator cuff tendinitis

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. Overuse or repetitive motions, such as painting, swimming, or lifting, can inflame these tendons, leading to tendinitis. Pain often worsens with overhead movements, and may cause stiffness or weakness in the arm, too.

2. Rotator cuff tear

When shoulder pain comes with weakness or difficulty raising your arm, a tear in one of the rotator cuff tendons may be to blame. Tears can result from either acute injury or gradual, age-related degenerative wear-and-tear. 

Small rotator cuff tears may improve with rest and physical therapy, while larger ones may require surgical repair.

3. Shoulder impingement

Impingement occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff get pinched between bones in the shoulder joint. This causes inflammation and irritation, leading to sharp pain when you lift your arm. Left untreated, impingement can progress to tendinitis or even a tendon tear.

4. Frozen shoulder

If your shoulder feels stiff and movement is limited, you could be experiencing frozen shoulder. This condition develops when the tissue around the shoulder joint thickens and tightens, restricting joint mobility. It often follows injury, surgery, or prolonged immobility, and tends to develop gradually.

5. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, which can occur with aging, or rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition, can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the shoulder joint. The discomfort typically worsens with activity and may lead to a grinding sensation or a decrease in range of motion over time.

6. Bursitis

Between your bones and tendons are small fluid-filled sacs called bursae. When these sacs become inflamed, the result is bursitis. Common in individuals who perform repetitive motions, bursitis can cause tenderness and swelling around the shoulder that worsens when you move your arm.

7. Labral tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder joint. A tear in the labrum can cause pain, a catching sensation, or a feeling that the shoulder might “give out.” This condition is most often seen in athletes or people who perform repetitive overhead movements.

8. Shoulder instability

Sometimes, the structures that hold your shoulder in place become stretched or damaged, causing the joint to move too freely or even dislocate. 

Shoulder instability, which may result from an injury or genetic looseness in the ligaments, can cause pain, weakness, and a sensation of the joint slipping.

When to see a specialist

If shoulder pain lasts longer than a few weeks, limits your range of motion, or interferes with daily life, it’s time to see an orthopedic specialist. Dr. Ihn offers advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans to help restore comfort and mobility, from physical therapy and joint injections to minimally invasive surgery.

You don’t have to live with chronic shoulder pain. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ihn in Rancho Mirage or Palm Springs, California, to determine the cause of your discomfort and take the first step toward attaining lasting relief.