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Can shoulder pain radiate down into your arm?
What is upper arm pain?
How do you know if you have a shoulder injury?
What causes right shoulder and arm pain?
What causes shoulder pain?
Is rotator cuff disease causing right shoulder and arm pain?
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: you have sudden or very bad shoulder pain. you cannot move your arm. your arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen. you have pins and needles that do not go away. there's no feeling in your arm or shoulder.
- Impingement
Shoulder impingement is a very common cause of shoulder...
- Frozen Shoulder
Treatment for frozen shoulder works in 3 main steps: Pain...
- Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become...
- Bursitis
Bursitis is when the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion...
- Tendonitis
If physiotherapy does not help, you may be referred to a...
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes...
- Hypermobility
Treating joint pain. Paracetamol and anti-inflammatory...
- Impingement
- Overview
- Causes
- What does the pain feel like?
- Symptoms
- How to treat it
- Exercises
- When to talk with your doctor
- The bottom line
Pain in the right shoulder and arm can occur due to injury, wear and tear, and other health conditions. You may experience other symptoms with certain causes.
Shoulder pain is very common. Because they’re the most mobile joints in your body, your shoulders are very prone to the effects of injuries and degenerative conditions.
It’s possible that shoulder pain can radiate down into your arm. Conversely, a condition affecting your upper arm may be felt around your shoulder.
You may be wondering what are the most common causes of right shoulder and arm pain.
Generally speaking, problems with the rotator cuff are the most common cause of this type of pain. Many of these issues are also the cause of left shoulder pain. However, some causes of left shoulder pain may be related to organs that cause referred radiating pain.
Keep reading to learn more about rotator cuff conditions as well as other potential causes of right shoulder and arm pain.
1. Rotator cuff disease
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that keep your upper arm bone (humerus) in the shoulder socket. Tissues of the rotator cuff can become diseased due to overuse or injury, for example, and can lead to: •Tendinitis, where the tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated and inflamed. •Bursitis, in which the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that helps your rotator cuff to move freely, becomes inflamed. •Impingement, where a part of your shoulder blade called the acromion rubs against the tissues of the rotator cuff, leading to swelling and pain.
2. Torn rotator cuff
This happens when one or more of the tendons in your rotator cuff tear. Tears can be partial or complete. They may happen due to an injury, but are often due to wear and tear that happens over time.
3. Shoulder dislocation
A shoulder dislocation happens when the top of your humerus pops out of its socket in your shoulder. This occurs often due to sports injuries, car accidents, and falls.
Pain around the upper arm and shoulder
This happens when the pain is localized predominantly in the area of your shoulder and upper part of your humerus. The conditions that cause this can include: •Rotator cuff disease: Initially, pain is often felt at the front of the shoulder. •Torn rotator cuff: Tears in the rotator cuff can include pain that begins near the shoulder. •Dislocated shoulder: Pain from a shoulder dislocation is most acutely felt near the shoulder. •Broken collarbone: The pain from a broken collarbone can be felt close to the shoulder, particularly when you try to move your arm. •Frozen shoulder: This type of pain typically comes on gradually and feels dull and deep. •Calcific tendinitis: Pain due to calcific tendinitis can be severe and can come on suddenly, often in the morning. •Shoulder sprain: You can feel pain from a shoulder sprain not only in your shoulder, but also in the area of your upper arm and collarbone. •Separated shoulder: The pain due to a separated shoulder is felt around the shoulder and upper arm. •Shoulder osteoarthritis and RA: People with arthritis in their shoulder often feel a deep ache in their shoulder and upper arm. •Brachial neuritis: Pain from brachial neuritis is typically severe and most often happens in the area of the shoulder and upper arm. •Brachial plexus injury: Pain from a brachial plexus injury can happen around the shoulder and upper arm. It may be long lasting.
Pain between the shoulder and elbow
In some cases, pain can be felt in both the area of the right shoulder and further down towards your right elbow. Some causes are: •Rotator cuff disease: Pain can begin to radiate from your shoulder into the side of your upper arm. •Torn rotator cuff: Shoulder pain may radiate down your arm to the area of the elbow. •Dislocated shoulder: The pain from a dislocated shoulder can radiate down the upper arm. •Upper arm fracture: A break in your upper arm can cause pain that’s localized around the area of your shoulder and throughout your upper arm. •Frozen shoulder: Pain from a frozen shoulder may also spread into your right bicep. •Calcific tendinitis: Similarly to frozen shoulder, pain from calcific tendinitis can spread down into your bicep area.
Pain from the shoulder to the hand
Many causes of right shoulder and arm pain are localized in the area of the shoulder and upper arm. But some can cause pain that can be felt all the way down to your hand. These include: •Cervical radiculopathy: This condition can cause sharp pain that can move from the area of your neck and shoulder all the way down your arm. •Thoracic outlet syndrome: Pain from TOS can be present from your shoulder down to your hand and fingers. •Brachial plexus injuries: As discussed earlier, this type of injury could affect your arm and hand.
In addition to pain, you may also experience some of the following symptoms in or around your right shoulder and arm:
•pain that happens when:
•moving your right shoulder or arm, such as when raising, dropping, or rotating your right arm
•lying down on your right side
•reaching for or lifting objects with your right arm
•swelling
Home remedies
If your right shoulder and arm pain is mild to moderate, you can try the following things at home before making an appointment with your doctor. •Use the R.I.C.E. method: R.I.C.E. can be used shortly after an injury to ease symptoms and promote recovery. It includes: •Rest: Stop doing any activities that cause further pain or irritation. •Ice: Apply an icepack or cool compress to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day. •Compression: Wrap or bandage the affected area to help alleviate swelling. •Elevation: Try to elevate your right shoulder and arm about the level of your heart. •Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications: There are several types of OTC medications that can help ease symptoms like pain and swelling. Some examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). •Try some gentle stretches: Regular, gentle stretching can help improve flexibility and range of motion. We’ll talk about some basic exercises that you can try out in the next section. •Maintain good posture: Poor posture can place further stress on the tissues of your shoulder and arm.
If you have to go to the doctor
If you talk with your doctor about right shoulder and arm pain, they may recommend the following, depending on the severity of your condition. •Immobilization: In some cases, limiting the movement of your shoulder or arm may help it heal. This is often achieved using a sling, brace, or cast. Your doctor will let you know when it can be removed. •Corticosteroid injections: This is a type of medication that your doctor can inject into the affected area to help reduce inflammation. •Prescription medications: Prescription pain medications may be given for severe pain. Oral corticosteroids can help ease inflammation. If you have RA, your doctor will likely prescribe a disease-modifying drug. •Physical therapy: Your doctor may give you a list of exercises to do that can help you regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion. In some cases, they may recommend that you work with a physical therapist. •Surgery: Surgery may be recommended when other treatments haven’t been effective or when damage is severe. The specific procedure that’s used can depend on what’s causing your condition.
Exercise can help reduce pain and improve your flexibility. In fact, a 2020 review of 16 studies found that exercise therapy can be just as effective at easing persistent shoulder pain as corticosteroid injections or decompression surgery.
Below are three exercises that you can try out to help ease or prevent pain in your right shoulder or arm. You can do these stretches either standing up or sitting down.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have right shoulder and arm pain that:
•doesn’t get better or gets worse with at-home care
•reduces your range of motion
•is associated with symptoms like increasing redness or swelling
•occurs with numbness, weakness, or a “pins and needles” sensation
Seek emergency care if you have an injury to your right shoulder or arm that:
Many conditions can lead to pain in your right shoulder and arm. This pain can affect different locations and may sometimes happen with numbness.
The most common cause of right shoulder and arm pain is an issue with your rotator cuff, such as tendinitis or bursitis. Other potential causes include fractures, arthritis, and cervical radiculopathy.
Jun 13, 2024 · Upper arm pain refers to pain that is felt anywhere from just below the shoulder joint to just above the elbow. It may be a problem in the muscles, tendons or bones, or even referred pain from elsewhere such as the neck or heart. Upper arm pain may be a sign of wear and tear, postural problems, an injury or even an underlying medical condition.
- Swimmer’s shoulder. Swimmer’s shoulder describes a range of different shoulder injuries that may occur due to swimming. Swimmers are at increased risk of shoulder injuries due to the high number of swim-s troke repetitions they perform during training.
- Rotator cuff tendonitis. Rotator cuff tendonitis (RCT) refers to irritation or inflammation of the rotator cuff. This condition is particularly common among elite athletes and people who regularly play certain sports.
- Overuse. Overuse can cause damage and inflammation to the muscles in the arm and shoulder. Overuse can refer to things like rotator cuff tendonitis, or muscle or ligament strain.
- Frozen shoulder. Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is an inflammatory condition in which the shoulder becomes painful and difficult to move for months or years.
Apr 23, 2024 · Summary. Sudden shoulder pain can occur with an injury, but it can also appear for other reasons, including arthritis, bursitis, and pneumonia. Sudden shoulder pain without an injury can result...
- Yvette Brazier
Mar 4, 2022 · It’s a tear — either partial or full — of a rotator cuff tendon connected to your arm bone. Your tendon can tear from a single event, like falling down on an outstretched arm. It also may deteriorate slowly over time due to a repeated motion. (For example, a plumber who frequently raises their arms overhead can develop a rotator cuff tear.)
What is subacromial pain syndrome? Subacromial pain syndrome is a general term used to describe pain which originates from the shoulder and can spread towards the neck or down the arm. It’s the most common reason for shoulder pain. The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body.
