shoulder pain
Understand your shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain can affect simple movements, exercise, work, and sleep. Explore common symptoms, pain locations, and conditions that may help explain what you’re feeling.
Where does your shoulder hurt?
Click or hover over an area to see related conditions.
Select an area
Choose a highlighted area to explore common shoulder-pain patterns.
Related conditions will appear here.
These are examples of common conditions associated with each area. Shoulder pain can have many other causes, and pain location alone cannot confirm a diagnosis.
Common shoulder conditions
Explore some of the common causes of shoulder pain
Rotator Cuff Injury
Pain or weakness involving the rotator cuff tendons, often noticed with reaching overhead, lifting or lying on the affected shoulder. Rotator cuff problems can include tendinopathy and partial or full-thickness tears.
Shoulder Impingement / Subacromial Pain
Pain around the outer shoulder that is commonly aggravated by reaching or lifting the arm, particularly overhead. This region can involve irritation of rotator cuff tendons and surrounding tissues.
Shoulder Instability / Dislocation
Excessive movement of the shoulder joint that may cause slipping, subluxation or a full dislocation, often following injury or repetitive activity.
Frozen Shoulder
A condition that causes increasing shoulder pain and stiffness, often making reaching, dressing and other everyday movements difficult. It is also known as adhesive capsulitis.
Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Changes within the shoulder joint that may contribute to pain, stiffness, reduced movement and difficulty with everyday activities.
Biceps Tendinopathy
Pain involving the long head of the biceps tendon, commonly felt toward the front of the shoulder and aggravated by lifting or reaching.
Other shoulder concerns we see: shoulder bursitis · labral injuries · AC joint sprains or separations · AC joint osteoarthritis · muscle strains · post-operative rehabilitation · referred neck-related pain
Shoulder pain can feel different for everyone
You might be experiencing
Pain with lifting or carrying
Pain at night or when lying on your shoulder
Stiffness or limited movement
Weakness in the shoulder or arm
Clicking, catching or feeling unstable
