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Terrible pain in the shoulder joint: causes, treatment, what to do, patient reviews. Pain in the shoulder joint of the left arm: causes and diagnosis Shoulder pain, aching pain

The human body is a complex mechanism, where each part of the body combines different tissues, generously intertwined with vessels and nerves of different calibers at the same time. In some areas there are more nerves, in others there may be none at all.

One nerve fiber can carry information from nearby, but nevertheless different tissues (for example, from the joint capsule and the muscles that move it). In addition, there are nerves that are of sufficient length. They consist of fibers coming from the underlying and overlying organs. So they carry information about sensations (this is what sensory nerve fibers do) from organs located far from each other and not interconnected.

Why this lyrical digression? It is directly related to your question – what may cause pain in the shoulder joint. This symptom most often accompanies diseases of the structures of the joint itself and the muscles that are responsible for movements in it. But the causes of pain may also lie in the pathology of internal organs. Large nerve fibers carry information about the sensitivity of both the shoulder girdle and, at the same time, the gallbladder (then it will hurt on the right), the heart (the pain is localized on the left), and the diaphragm (it can hurt on both sides).

Anatomy

Below we will return to individual details of the anatomy. Now we'll tell you briefly.

The shoulder joint is the most mobile. It provides movement in any direction. Thus, the arm can be moved away from the body to the side and up, brought towards it, raised up, placed behind the head or behind the back, rotated (as movement around its own axis is called) when bent at the elbow.

High mobility is determined by the shape of the joint, which is called spherical. Here the humerus ends in an almost complete “ball”, and it comes into contact with an almost flat “platform” on the side of the scapula (it is called the glenoid cavity). If this articular area were not surrounded on all sides by cartilage tissue, the head of the humerus would “fly out” of the joint with every movement. But this articular “lip,” as well as the ligaments abundantly entwining the articulation of the bones, hold the shoulder in place.

The joint capsule is a tissue formation similar in structure to the ligamentous apparatus. This structure “wraps” each joint, allowing circulation within this enclosed space. The peculiarity of the capsule of this particular joint is that it is wide, creating space for an abundance of movements performed in the joint.

Since the joint makes a lot of movements, it must be surrounded by a large number of muscles, whose fibers will go in different directions and attach their ends to different sides of the humerus, and to the chest, and to the scapula, and to the collarbone. The latter, although not considered part of the shoulder joint, is directly involved in its activity, being an additional support for the humerus rotating in all directions.

The muscles attach to the humerus and radiate from it in different directions. They form the rotator cuff:

the deltoid muscle is responsible for shoulder abduction;
subscapularis – for inward rotation of the shoulder;
supraspinatus - for lifting and abduction to the side;
teres minor and infraspinatus – rotate the shoulder outward.

There are other muscles, such as the biceps, whose tendon runs inside the joint. Which of them is inflamed can be indirectly judged by which movement is impaired or causes pain (for example, pain that appears when you raise your arm indicates inflammation of the supraspinatus muscle).

All these structures - muscles, ligaments, articular cartilage and capsule - are penetrated by sensory nerves that carry a sensation of pain to the brain if any of the tissues develop inflammation, stretch or rupture.

Here, motor fibers pass from the spine - they carry a command to the muscles to move the limb in one direction or another. If they become pinched between bone or other structures, pain also occurs.

Please note that medical workers refer to the upper third of the arm as the “shoulder” – from the shoulder to the elbow joint. The area from the neck to the shoulder joint is called in medicine the “shoulder girdle” and, together with the structures surrounding the shoulder blade and collarbone, makes up the shoulder girdle.

Why does the shoulder joint hurt?

The causes of pain in the shoulder joint are conventionally divided into 2 groups:

Pathologies associated with the joint itself and the surrounding ligaments, tendons or muscles. This includes inflammation of the capsule, rotator cuff muscle, joint capsule, cartilage on articulating bones, muscles, tendons or the entire joint, and some non-inflammatory diseases of these same structures.
Pathologies with extra-articular localization. This group includes osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, inflammation of the sensitive nerve fiber (neuritis) or the entire large nerve, which is part of the brachial nerve plexus (plexitis), chest disease, heart disease or digestive tract, whose inflammation or tumor “radiates” to the area shoulder

Let us consider each of the causes of pain in detail, starting with the first group of pathologies.

Tendinitis (inflammation of a muscle tendon)

Since, as we said, the shoulder joint is surrounded by many muscles, which are attached here with their tendons, therefore, tendinitis can have different localizations. The symptoms of the disease will depend on this.

Common features of any tendonitis are:

occur most often in those who perform stereotypical shoulder movements (athletes, loaders);
the pain can be sharp, dull or aching;
most often the pain in the shoulder area is sharp and occurs for no apparent reason;
hurts more at night;
the mobility of the arm decreases (that is, it becomes difficult to abduct, bend, or lift it).

Supraspinatus tendinitis

This is a muscle that is located at the top of the shoulder blade and along a short path reaches the outer part of the humeral head. Its tendon becomes inflamed most often due to injury or if there is chronic inflammation of the bursa lying under the acromion process of the scapula.

Here, the pain in the shoulder either increases or decreases - intermittently. Maximum pain is observed if you move your arm to the side by 60-120 degrees. It will also hurt if you press on the shoulder or pat it.

A complication of untreated tendonitis is incomplete rupture of the tendon.

Biceps tendonitis

This muscle, which is more often called the biceps (the word “biceps” is translated from Latin as “biceps muscle”), performs flexion in the shoulder and elbow joints, it makes it possible to turn the hands with the palms facing up.

Symptoms of this tendonitis:

recurring pain along the front surface of the shoulder, often radiating down the arm;
no pain at rest;
it hurts to bend your arm at the shoulder and elbow;
pressure on the forearm (the area from the elbow joint to the hand) is painful;
you can find a point in the area of the head of the humerus, palpation of which causes sharp pain.

This tendinitis can be complicated by a complete rupture or subluxation of the tendon. The last condition is when the tendon slips out of the groove on the surface of the bone in which it should lie.

Infraspinatus tendinitis

This is a disease of athletes and heavy physical labor workers. It does not have pronounced symptoms. Only pain when rotating the entire limb, if you put pressure on the shoulder joint. Such pain is localized not only in the shoulder, but also spreads along the back of the arm to the elbow, and sometimes lower - to the fingers.

A complication of this untreated condition is complete rupture of the tendon.

Rotator cuff inflammation

Here, pain in the shoulder joint is detected when raising the arm up (when you need to reach something or when stretching).

This happens on the second day after a person has worked intensively with his hands, especially if he has not had to do such work before (for example, whitewashing a ceiling). The pain is sharp, severe, and goes away when you lower your arm. At rest it doesn't bother me.

If you conduct an X-ray examination of the shoulder joint, the radiologist will say that he does not see any pathology. The diagnosis can only be made by a traumatologist or sports medicine doctor.

Inflammation of the joint capsule (bursitis) and inflammation of the joint capsule together with adjacent tendons (tenobursitis)

Here, the pain in the shoulder joint is acute, occurs for no apparent reason, limits any movements of the arm, and does not allow a stranger (for example, a doctor) to make passive movements with the affected arm.

Capsulitis (inflammation of the joint capsule)

This condition is rare, so you should think about it last, excluding more serious diseases such as arthritis, rupture of joint ligaments or radiating pain in diseases of the abdominal organs.

Patients with capsulitis of the shoulder joint are more likely to suffer from women 40-50 years old who had to lie down for a long time without moving their arm fully.

Inflammation develops gradually, unnoticed by humans. At some point, he notices that it has become too difficult (like a feeling of “numbness”) to perform the usual movement with his hand, which requires lifting it up or placing it behind his back. So, it becomes painful, for example, to play a musical instrument or manage a bra clasp. This symptom is called “frozen shoulder.”

Arthritis – inflammation of the internal structures of the joint

The disease develops due to:

contact of the joint with infected tissues;
penetrating injury with an infected object or surgery with non-sterile instruments;
bacteria entering the joint through the bloodstream;
rheumatism caused by the bacterium streptococcus (usually develops after a sore throat or glomerulonephritis);
hemorrhages due to diseases of the blood coagulation system, when blood that gets into the joint cavity then suppurates;
joint injuries with subsequent development of inflammation and suppuration;
metabolic diseases (for example, gout), when the joint is irritated by uric acid salts that enter it;
allergies to substances that have entered the body (often this reaction occurs as a response to the injection of protein drugs into a vein or muscle: serums, antitoxins, vaccines);
autoimmune damage, when the body considers joint proteins foreign and begins to produce antibodies against them (this happens with rheumatoid arthritis).

If arthritis is not caused by injury, it may be bilateral.

Arthritis symptoms cannot be ignored. This:

severe pain in the shoulder joint;
it does not go away at rest, but intensifies with movement, especially when trying to put your hand behind your head, lift it up or move it to the side;
pain increases with palpation (palpation by a doctor) or lightly touching the joint;
it is impossible to raise the arm above a conventional line drawn horizontally through the axis of the shoulder joint (that is, above the shoulder girdle);
the joint is deformed due to swelling;
the joint may become hot to the touch;
body temperature rises.

Arthrosis – non-inflammatory damage to joint tissues

This pathology is associated with the development of changes in the articular cartilage lining the head of the humerus or the scapular articular surface. It develops most often as a result of frequent arthritis, as well as in older people - due to disruption of the normal blood supply to the joint structures.

Symptoms of arthrosis are as follows:

acute pain in the shoulder, which occurs with any movement of the arm, but goes away with rest;
maximum pain - when lifting weights with this hand;
it hurts when you touch the collarbone and the bottom of the shoulder blade;
Poor mobility in the joint gradually develops: it no longer hurts, but it is impossible to raise your arm or throw your arm behind your back;
When moving, a crunching or noise is heard in the shoulder.

Shoulder injuries

Pain that appears in the shoulder after a blow to this area, a fall on the side, lifting heavy objects, or a sudden or unnatural movement of the arm indicates that the person has injured the shoulder joint itself or the surrounding ligaments or tendons.

If there is only pain in the shoulder, its motor function is not impaired, we are talking about a bruise of the periarticular tissues. If, after an injury, there is pain in the shoulder to the elbow, the arm hurts, or it is impossible to move at all because of the pain, there may be a tendon rupture or muscle damage - only a traumatologist can distinguish between these conditions.

Deformation of the joint after an injury with the inability to move the arm normally indicates a dislocation. If active movements are impossible, you can only passively (with the help of the other hand or when a third party does this) make movements with this limb, while a crunch or some kind of movement may be felt under the skin if the area of the joint itself or below it is swollen, before it It hurts to touch, then most likely a fracture has occurred.

Deposition of calcium salts in tendon or ligament tissues

This condition – calcification of the soft tissues of the joint – can develop in a person over 30 years of age due to deterioration of metabolic processes. Before this age, calcification occurs in a person suffering from diseases of the parathyroid glands, in which calcium metabolism is impaired.

The symptoms of this pathology are as follows:

shoulder pain is constant;
does not disappear at rest;
intensifies when raising the arm or moving it to the side;
its intensity increases over time.

Spinal diseases

Pathologies in the area of 4-7 vertebrae of the cervical spine, be it:

uncomplicated osteochondrosis;
herniated intervertebral discs;
displacement of one vertebra relative to another (spondylolisthesis);
inflammation of the vertebral bodies (spondylitis);
subluxations or fracture-dislocations of the vertebrae

will manifest as pain in the shoulder joint.

Dislocations and fracture-dislocations appear after injury. Spondylitis most often appears against the background of tuberculosis, the manifestation of which was a dry cough, malaise, sweating, and low fever.

The most common spinal disease that causes shoulder pain is osteochondrosis. This is a condition when the cartilage formation located between the vertebrae (intervertebral disc) along the periphery becomes thinner, and its central jelly-like section shifts towards the spinal canal. When such a nucleus or the remaining “exposed” vertebrae compress the root of the fourth, fifth or sixth cervical spinal nerve, shoulder pain occurs.

Spinal diseases are characterized by the following:

pain occurs in the shoulder and arm: it spreads from the shoulder joint to the elbow, and sometimes to the hand;
worsens when turning and tilting the head;
along with the pain, the sensitivity of the hand is impaired: it freezes or, conversely, feels hot;
The sore arm often gets goosebumps and there is numbness or tingling.

Osteochondrosis is often complicated by glenohumeral periarthritis, when the tendons of the muscles that move the shoulder, as well as the capsule and ligaments of this joint become inflamed. Periarthritis can also occur with shoulder injuries or reactive inflammation as a result of a chronic infectious process in the body (tonsillitis, inflammation of the kidneys or bronchi)

Here's shoulder pain:

appears suddenly, for no apparent reason;
increases gradually;
occurs at night;
intensifies when raising the arm, as well as attempts to put it behind the back, lay it behind the head or move it to the side;
during the day, at rest, the pain subsides;
pain is localized in the shoulders and neck
after a few months, even without treatment, the pain goes away, but the joint loses mobility: it becomes impossible to raise the arm above the horizontal line or move it behind the back.

Brachial neuritis

Here the shoulder joint experiences pain, being in perfect condition along with the surrounding tissues. The pathology is characterized by the appearance of a “lumbago” in the shoulder, after which acute pain remains. It intensifies when you move your hand.

Brachial plexitis

With this pathology, one, two or three large nerve trunks are affected, passing just below the collarbone. They carry commands to the neck, arm and collect information about sensations from there.

Pathology develops after:

injuries: collarbone fracture, sprain or dislocation of the shoulder joint;
birth trauma - in a newborn baby;
long-term stay in a forced position: during a complex and lengthy operation on the chest or abdominal organs, with special features of professional activity that require a long position with the arm abducted or raised;
vibrations;
wearing crutches;
general infectious disease (diseases caused by viruses of the herpetic group are especially capable of this: mononucleosis, herpes zoster, herpes simplex, chicken pox);
hypothermia of the shoulder area;
as a result of metabolic disorders in the body: diabetes, gout).

The disease requires urgent assistance and is characterized by the following symptoms:

severe pain radiating to the shoulder, but localized in the area above or below the collarbone;
intensifies when pressing on the area below the collarbone;
becomes stronger when moving the hand;
characterized as shooting, aching, boring or aching;
may feel like pain in the shoulders and neck;
the hand loses sensitivity on the inside (where the little finger is);
the hand turns pale and may even acquire a bluish color;
the hand may swell;
“goose bumps” that “run” along the inside of the arm, but more in the lower part;
the hand does not feel hot/cold or pain.

Other reasons

The symptom, more often described as pain in the shoulder muscles, less often as pain in the shoulder or shoulder joint, can occur not only with bursitis, inflammation of the tendons, glenohumeral periarthritis, arthrosis, and osteochondrosis. There are also other diseases and conditions:

narrowing syndrome (impingement syndrome);
cervicobrachial plexopathy;
myofascial syndrome;
myelopathy.

There are no subjective symptoms characteristic of these diseases. The diagnosis is made by a doctor - mainly a neurologist, but consultation with a rheumatologist or traumatologist may be necessary.

Referred pain

Pain may radiate to the shoulder due to diseases of the internal organs:

Angina pectoris is a condition when the heart suffers as a result of insufficient oxygen supply to it. Here the pain will be localized behind the sternum and at the same time in the left shoulder joint. It occurs against the background of physical activity of any nature, be it walking against the wind, lifting weights or climbing stairs; it does not necessarily have to be a movement with the left hand. The pain goes away with rest. May be accompanied by a feeling of interruptions in the functioning of the heart. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of angina.
Myocardial infarction manifests itself in a similar way to angina. But here the main symptom - even if the area of death of the heart muscle is small - is a violation of the general condition. This is a violation of the heart rhythm, sticky sweat, trembling, fear, and possibly loss of consciousness. The pain is very severe and requires seeking emergency medical help. Read more about myocardial infarction.
Pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades is characteristic of inflammation of the pancreas. In this case, the pain is severe, radiating to the upper half of the abdomen, accompanied by nausea, loose stools, and fever.
If the pain syndrome affects the right shoulder and shoulder blade, this may mean the development of cholecystitis - acute or exacerbation of chronic. In this case, nausea, bitter taste in the mouth, and fever are usually noted.
Upper lobe pneumonia may also be accompanied by pain in the shoulder from the affected lung. In this case, there is a feeling of weakness, lack of air, cough - dry or wet. The temperature often rises.
Polymyalgia rheumatica. If pain in the shoulder appeared after a person had a sore throat or scarlet fever, especially if before that there was an enlargement and pain in the knee joint, most likely he developed a complication - rheumatism. And pain in the shoulder is one of the manifestations of this disease.
Tumors of the tissues of the chest cavity. For example, cancer of the apex of the lung, which will cause pain in the shoulder and between the shoulder blades.

Shoulder pain by location

Let's look at the characteristics of pain that can develop in any shoulder joint:

When it hurts	What is this
When raising your arm forward or moving it to the side	Supraspinatus tendinitis
When rotating the hand around its axis towards the thumb, if the elbow is pressed to the body	Infraspinatus tendonitis
When the arm rotates at the shoulder around its axis towards the little finger, when the elbow is pressed to the body	The muscles in the subscapular region are inflamed
Pain in the front of the arm when the forearm rotates towards the little finger It hurts to open the door with a key Shoulder pain worsens when lifting loads Shoulder hurts when bending elbow Pain shoots from elbow to shoulder	Inflammation of the biceps tendon
The joint hurts with any movement. Pain worsens when turning the head or moving the neck	Inflamed joint capsule
It only hurts when lifting heavy objects, even small ones.	Inflamed deltoid tendon
Pain when moving arms back	Tendinitis or sprain of the supraspinatus tendon
Shoulder hurts if you raise your arm vertically	Arthritis or arthrosis of a small joint between the process of the scapula and the collarbone, when the muscles surrounding it become inflamed
The shoulder hurts when trying to comb your hair, style your hair, put your hands behind your head, or turn them around an axis towards the thumb	Stretched infraspinatus or teres minor tendon
The pain is aching and appears only when placing your hands behind your back or when trying to take an object out of your back pocket. It hurts to lie your hand towards the little finger	The subscapularis tendon is injured (stretched or inflamed)
Shoulder and neck pain	arthritis osteochondrosis myalgia plexitis of the shoulder joint arthrosis arthritis
Shoulder and arm pain	Intervertebral hernia tendinitis bursitis glenohumeral periarthritis
Pain from elbow to shoulder	Humeroscapular periarthritis osteochondrosis bursitis inflammation of the cartilage tissue of the elbow joint (epicondylitis or “tennis elbow”, “golfer’s elbow”) rheumatoid arthritis elbow dislocations arthritis or arthrosis of the shoulder joint gouty arthritis of the shoulder joint
Shoulder and back pain	This indicates muscle spasm due to prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, the same type of muscle work, hypothermia, and compartment syndrome.
Shoulder and collarbone pain	Clavicle fracture pinching and inflammation of the spinal nerve roots brachial plexus neuralgia intercostal neuralgia glenohumeral periarthritis

If your right shoulder hurts

Pain in the right shoulder is typical for:

bursitis;
biceps tendonitis;
joint injuries;
myositis of one of the shoulder muscles;
calcification of periarticular tissues;
humeroscapular periarthritis;
right-sided pneumonia;
exacerbation of cholelithiasis.

The following signs indicate damage to the right shoulder joint, not muscle tissue:

the pain is constant;
Pain at rest, worsens with movement;
diffuse pain;
all movements without exception are limited;
enlargement of the joint is visible.

Left shoulder hurts

This is a more dangerous localization of the symptom: pain in the left shoulder may be accompanied by myocardial infarction. It may even be that besides this symptom, a heart attack has no other signs, only sudden fear and a sharp “break into a sweat.”

Pain in the left shoulder may also indicate another heart pathology – angina pectoris. Then this symptom accompanies physical activity, walking against the wind (especially cold) and climbing stairs. The pain usually disappears with rest and is relieved by taking nitroglycerin.

Pain in the left shoulder occurs when:

shoulder periarthritis;
tendon calcification;
impingement syndrome;
spinal nerve root entrapment
shoulder joint injuries;
shoulder tumors.

Diagnosis depending on pain intensity

Let's consider what disease can cause this or that subjective characteristic of shoulder pain.

Strong pain

This is how the pain is described:

Shoulder tendon sprain. Then the person remembers that the day before he carried heavy weights or could sleep in an uncomfortable position.
Shoulder dislocation. In this case, you can also remember an episode when someone pulled your hand or had to grab a moving object.
A fracture of the humerus will also be accompanied by severe pain in the shoulder area. But here, too, trauma is noted at the beginning of the disease.
Arthritis. In this case, the joint turns red, becomes deformed, and is very painful to touch.
Bursitis. The pain occurs suddenly and prevents either the person or the examining doctor from moving the arm.
Tendinitis. The pathology manifests itself as pain when performing various movements, which depends on which tendon is inflamed. The symptoms of major tendonitis are described above.
Intervertebral hernia. At the same time, the pain is not only in the shoulder, but also in the neck and face. The hand is freezing, “goosebumps” run over it, it does not feel cold or warmth well.
Diseases of the lungs, liver or spleen. They are described above.

Sharp pain

If pain in the shoulder muscles can be described as sharp, this may indicate the development of a neurological disease such as idiopathic brachial plexopathy. The cause of this pathology is unknown. There is an opinion that it is inherited, but more often its appearance is provoked by vaccination. This disease is characterized by the fact that on one side the short branches coming from the brachial plexus become inflamed. It usually develops between 20 and 40 years of age.

Here the pain occurs in one shoulder, suddenly, and has a sharp character. Not only the shoulder hurts, but also the shoulder girdle. This continues for several days, then goes away. Muscle weakness appears: it becomes difficult to raise your arm, put it behind your back, turn the key in the door and comb your hair.

Also, sharp pain in the shoulder will be accompanied by other diseases:

shoulder arthritis;
capsulitis;
pleurisy;
cholelithiasis;
intervertebral hernia.

Acute pain

This syndrome is accompanied by:

joint injuries;
tendonitis, tendobursitis;
arthritis or arthrosis;
shoulder tendon rupture;
intervertebral hernia localized in the cervical or thoracic region;
angina pectoris;
liver pathologies;
myocardial infarction.

Nagging pain

This is how pain with glenohumeral periarthritis is described. It occurs for no apparent reason, at night. It is localized not only in the shoulder, but also in the neck, and intensifies when placing it behind the back or raising the arm. During the day the pain subsides. If treatment is not carried out, the joint becomes stiff.

Constant pain

If your shoulder hurts constantly, it could be:

tendinitis;
sprain or rupture of ligaments, fracture - if this pain was preceded by injury;
arthrosis: pain accompanies any movement, accompanied by a crunching sound;
glenohumeral periarthritis. Pain occurs at night, gradually intensifies, worsens with pain;
disease of internal organs: hepatitis, cholecystitis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction.

Blunt pain

They describe it this way:

tendinitis. In this case, the pain intensifies with movement;
glenohumeral periarthritis. Pain also has a connection with movement;
diseases of the abdominal organs;
strangulation of the intervertebral hernia of the lower cervical or upper thoracic region;
myocardial infarction.

Burning pain

A syndrome with such characteristics is inherent in spinal diseases. Here the pain increases with active movements of the arm, but if the limb is fixed, the pain goes away.

In addition to the pain, the sensitivity of the hand is impaired, and “goosebumps” periodically run across it. Upper limb muscle strength decreases. She may be getting cold.

Shooting pain

This pain is characteristic of inflammation of the spinal nerve root, which can occur with osteochondrosis, spondylosis and spinal injuries.

Pain with numbness in the arm

This symptom is accompanied by:

glenohumeral periarthritis;
intervertebral hernia;
chest tumors;
bursitis;
shoulder dislocation.

What to do if you have shoulder pain

In order to treat pain in the shoulder joint of the arm correctly, you need to determine its cause. They begin first of all with a consultation with a therapist, whose examination is aimed at excluding life-threatening pathologies, such as myocardial infarction, acute cholecystitis, pneumonia, acute pancreatitis, angina pectoris. If the doctor confirms suspicions of internal diseases, he either refers to the appropriate specialist (surgeon, gastroenterologist, cardiologist), or writes out a referral for hospitalization in a multidisciplinary hospital.

If a life-threatening pathology is excluded, the person is recommended to consult an orthopedic traumatologist. This specialist will check the movement along each of the axes of the limb and palpate the joint. He may prescribe the following types of research:

X-ray of the joint: it will show bone pathology: fracture, dislocation, fracture-dislocation;
radiography of the cervical and thoracic spine;
Ultrasound of the joint, which will reveal muscle inflammation, rupture or sprain of ligaments and tendons, and the presence of inflammatory fluid in the joint;
CT scan of the joint or spine - if the x-ray did not provide comprehensive information.

If the orthopedist excludes pathology of the musculoskeletal system, he refers to a neurologist. This specialist checks sensitivity, reflexes, and if he thinks about a pathology of a neurological nature, then to clarify the diagnosis he focuses on the data of such studies:

CT scan of the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine;
electromyography;
Ultrasound with Dopplerography of large vessels of the head, neck, upper limb.

Treatment for shoulder pain depends on the diagnosis. Before arriving or visiting a doctor, you can only take painkillers:

in the form of an ointment or gel: Diclofenac (Voltaren), Ibufen, DIP;
only on the area of the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues;
only if pain is associated with movement.

You cannot relieve your own pain immediately before visiting a specialist: this way, the doctor will not be able to determine the cause or refer you to the diagnostic method that is needed in the first place.

If there is a connection between pain and a certain movement of the arm, you also need to immobilize (immobilize) the affected limb by bending it at the elbow and bringing it towards the body. In that case, before you see an orthopedic doctor or neurologist, you can take painkillers in the form of tablets: Analgin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac.

If joint pain occurs after an injury or training, the above rules for immobilization and taking painkillers also apply here. First aid is supplemented by applying to the sore joint:

on the first day - ice: for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours;
from the second day - dry heat (warming with a blue lamp or heating pad) - 3 times a day, 20 minutes each.

You cannot take any folk remedies, perform shoulder massage or exercise therapy on your own – before consulting a therapist. All this is prescribed by a specialist.

The shoulder joint is the most unique joint in the entire body in terms of its structure and functional features. With improper and excessive physical stress on this joint, inflammatory processes develop, resulting in swelling, joint effusion, partial rupture of tendons and muscles that surround the joint.

But the shoulder joint can withstand heavy loads only up to a certain limit, after which its natural functioning is disrupted. The result is pain syndrome. Why does this symptom occur in the left shoulder area? Let's take a closer look.

Causes of pain in the shoulder joint

Pain syndrome in the shoulder joint on the left can radiate to other areas - these are:

The entire length of the arm and neck, moreover, it becomes numb and sensitivity in it is impaired. This symptom may accompany a cervical intervertebral hernia.

The entire length of the arm, while movement is limited. This symptom may accompany capsulitis.

Shoulder, forearm, pain occurs even after raising the arm and during movements (myositis).

Forearm, shoulder, arm, which may indicate a dislocation, fracture, sprain.

The main reasons that cause pain in the shoulder joint are as follows:

after heavy physical exertion;
due to injury;
with intercostal neuralgia;
The left shoulder also hurts after hypothermia, especially after exposure to a draft.

Other reasons include pathologies such as periarthritis, arthritis, heart disease (heart attack, angina), and salt deposition.

Tendinitis

If your shoulder hurts, radiating to the forearm, this may be a signal of the development of tendonitis, an inflammatory-degenerative disease that occurs after heavy physical activity.

As a result of this reason, the first symptom is pain, which is sharp, aching or dull in nature. Its intensification occurs after a sharp raising of the arm, which also becomes numb. The arm can hurt very much at night, which often leads to insomnia. Also, an increase in pain syndrome is observed upon palpation of the hand. In addition to this syndrome, tendinitis also causes symptoms such as limited arm mobility, inflammation, and tissue degeneration.

How treatment will be carried out depends on what stage of the disease is diagnosed:

At the first stage, treatment is carried out such as eliminating any loads and fixing the joint with an immobilizing agent. It is also recommended to do exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles.
At the second stage, treatment is supplemented by injections with the introduction of anesthetics. It is recommended to treat severe pain with muscle relaxants. Treatment with drugs alone will not bring quick results. It is also necessary to do physical therapy procedures.
At the third stage, surgical treatment is indicated, which is carried out if conservative methods are not effective.

Sprain

A joint sprain (partial tear) on the left side is accompanied by symptoms, the severity of which is determined taking into account the extent of the damage. A characteristic symptom is pain in the shoulder area, radiating to the forearm. In severe cases, even the shoulder blade and neck may hurt.

An increase in pain syndrome is observed after palpation of the lesion. Associated symptoms are: swelling, redness of the skin, hyperemia, hematoma, limited mobility of the arm, and it becomes slightly numb.

Treatment is mainly conservative. If a severe case is observed, surgery is prescribed. First aid after injury consists of applying a cold compress and a fixing bandage. Pain can be eliminated with the help of an analgesic, and damaged fibers can be regenerated with the help of chondroprotectors.

Shoulder bone fracture

If there has been an injury, pain in the shoulder area on the left side may indicate a bone fracture. Trauma pain syndrome can affect not only the shoulder, but also the forearm, as well as the neck. In this case, the discomfort is disturbing both in the lying position and in the standing position. Even the shoulder blade may hurt, especially if the fracture caused bone displacement. A displaced injury is characterized by the appearance of a hematoma, tumor, and shoulder deformity. The pain in this case will be more pronounced.

You can get rid of pain syndrome only after eliminating its cause. Thus, a mild form of fracture requires treatment with a plaster cast. If displacement is diagnosed, it is necessary to perform a reduction, which should only be carried out by a doctor. After this procedure, a plaster cast is applied, which is worn for two months.

The treatment process includes taking painkillers and calcium supplements.

Intervertebral hernia of the cervical spine

A pathological phenomenon such as an intervertebral hernia is characterized by a pain syndrome that spreads along the entire arm, covering areas such as the neck, shoulder, forearm, and scapula. Along with the pain, swelling, headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness occur, and the hand goes numb. Natural blood pressure levels may be disrupted. At the same time, the person becomes more irritable and quickly gets tired of physical work.

The syndrome is aching in nature and occurs with some frequency. Increased pain is observed after coughing, sneezing, bending and turning the head.

If a hernia is diagnosed, treatment for this cause of pain can be either conservative or surgical. You can eliminate pain in areas such as the neck, forearm, shoulder, shoulder blade and arm with the help of painkillers. No less useful is treatment with physiotherapy and gymnastics, which help strengthen and relax muscles.

Treatment with surgery is indicated only after diagnosing the rapid progression of the pathology and the ineffectiveness of other methods of eliminating the hernia.

Myositis

Why does myositis occur? The causes of this disease lie in hypothermia, ARVI, and influenza. The main symptom is pain on the left side, which covers areas such as the back of the head, forearm, shoulder, and neck. If the involvement of large nerves in the pathological process is diagnosed, the pain spreads along the entire arm, and the shoulder blade may also hurt.

It is recommended to treat the disease with complete rest of the limb. In this case, it is necessary to make various compresses on the affected area and apply ointment. Treatment with analgesics will help eliminate discomfort and pain. But it is worth considering that treatment should be aimed, first of all, at eliminating the cause of pain, that is, myositis.

Capsulitis

Pain only in the left shoulder area can be a symptom of capsulitis - inflammation of the capsule and synovium of the joint. Common hypothermia, frequent colds, diseases of the spine, heart, and joints can lead to the development of the disease.

Symptoms can be determined based on the stage of the disease.

Treatment of the cause of pain is determined based on the stage of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. In the first stages, discomfort can be eliminated with an anesthetic. Severe pain should be treated with corticosteroid injections, and massage and physical therapy are recommended. If a severe course of the disease is diagnosed, surgery is prescribed.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory process that is accompanied by degeneration and dystrophy of joint cartilage. Damage to the joint leads to loss of normal functioning. Symptoms at different stages are distinctive:

At the first stage, aching pain occurs, which intensifies with exercise and subsides with rest. Also, an increase in the syndrome is observed in a lying position, especially at night.
In the second stage, the pain is constant. At the same time, the hand goes numb.
At the third stage, the process of shoulder deformation develops.

Treatment is carried out with the help of non-steroidal drugs, analgesics, glucocorticoids. It is also recommended to do physiotherapeutic procedures and follow a proper diet. In severe cases, surgery is prescribed.

Angina pectoris

The pain syndrome associated with a disease such as angina pectoris has a different character. So, it can be pressing, squeezing, burning or cutting. The natural zone of pain localization is on the left behind the sternum. Irradiation of pain can be observed in the following areas: left hypochondrium, neck, shoulder, forearm, shoulder blade, arm and even the lower jaw.

Treatment of pain syndrome means, first of all, eliminating the provoking cause, that is, angina pectoris. The necessary medications should only be prescribed by a doctor. If the disease is diagnosed at a severe stage, surgical intervention is resorted to.

Periarthritis

Periarthritis is the deposition of salts in the shoulder joint. As a rule, there is an asymmetrical lesion, that is, one shoulder is affected (in our case, the left).

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by moderate pain, which occurs only during physical activity (raising the arm, rotating movement). As the pathology progresses, the pain becomes constant, occurring in a lying position, especially at night.

In some cases, the syndrome radiates to areas such as the shoulder blade, forearm, and also to the neck. The inflammatory process causes swelling and limited joint mobility.

Treatment depends on the severity of the pathology. Pain can be eliminated with an anesthetic, while in the presence of an inflammatory process other drugs are used. Severe cases of the disease require immobilization of the hand. Physiotherapeutic procedures are also carried out.

Prevention of left shoulder pain

To prevent the appearance of shoulder pain and, as a consequence, the development of diseases in this area, it is important to follow the following rules and recommendations:

You should organize a proper diet. So, it is necessary to consume a minimum of deli meats, sweet foods and other foods with a high protein content.

You also need to not overwork yourself with excessive physical activity: it should be optimal, to the best of your ability. An excellent choice would be yoga, swimming, physical therapy, as well as other activities that do not require heavy physical activity.

It is very useful to perform a general massage, which helps improve blood flow and relax muscles.

Sleeping on a hard surface will help prevent pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and improve your posture.

To summarize, it is worth noting that any discomfort in the shoulder area should not be ignored, as serious complications can result. Timely contact with a specialist and implementation of the necessary measures will help prevent the disease from progressing to a severe stage and chronic course.

The patient’s task is to take the treatment and doctor’s recommendations seriously and responsibly. Only in this case is a positive result and a favorable prognosis possible.

The human body is unique. Each organ, joint and even cell performs specific functions. If something fails, pain occurs. With these symptoms, the body signals an illness. By causing discomfort, it protects the injured area of the body from excessive damage. That is why these signs cannot be ignored. They should be treated very carefully. What pathologies can indicate pain in the shoulder joint of the left arm? Let's figure it out.

Causes of pathology

The shoulder is a fairly complex joint in the human body. It is endowed with maximum functionality. The presence of one or another pathology in it not only disrupts the functioning of the joint, but also leads to swelling, inflammation and destruction of the joint capsule, and sometimes violates the integrity of the tendons. The shoulder joint can work for a long time even in this case. But the time comes, and it fails. A person experiences severe pain in the shoulder joint.

The reasons for this pathology may lie in developing ailments:

Tendinitis. Or inflammation of the articular tendons. The reason for this pathology lies in intense stress. During heavy physical activity, the tendons interact very closely with the surface of the joint. As a result, the person experiences irritation and pain.
Biceps tendonitis. The pathology manifests itself in the flexor muscle, which is localized in the upper region of the shoulder. With this disease, the patient experiences constant pain. When you feel the damaged area or any movement, the sensations intensify. If the ligaments of the shoulder joint are completely torn, a spherical swelling is visually noticeable.
Bursitis. This disease often accompanies tendonitis. Pathology also occurs after prolonged overexertion. But bursitis leads to swelling of the joint.
Salt deposits. As a result of this pathology, the ligaments of the joint become rigid. Often, salt deposits are localized under the scapula and collarbone. It is observed in people over 30 years of age. Painful discomfort appears suddenly. In its manifestation, it is quite strong. Any position of the hand does not lead to its reduction. It becomes difficult for a person to move a limb even 30 centimeters away from the body.
Violation of joint formation at the genetic level.
Joint injury. Young people, especially athletes, sometimes experience a dislocation that causes pain in the shoulder joint. The causes of pathology in elderly people are usually associated with degenerative processes.
Neoplasms.
Oversprain of the shoulder ligaments. The phenomenon often occurs in bodybuilders. With pathology, the joint becomes unstable. Most exercises cause difficulties for the athlete. Sometimes even a tear of the cartilaginous ring is diagnosed.
Humeroscapular periarthrosis. Pain in the shoulder joint of the left or right arm is the main symptom of the disease. Over time, the discomfort increases. And it leads to the patient not being able to sleep at night. The nature of the pain is quite diverse - from a dull manifestation to a strong burning sensation.
Tendon rupture.
Hernia, protrusion of discs of the cervical spine.
Neurogenic pathology. A phenomenon in which the sensitivity of the upper limbs and neck is impaired.
Arthritis, arthrosis.
Ailments of internal organs (heart, liver, lungs and others).

Serious pathologies of internal organs

Very often, pain in the shoulder joint of the left arm is perceived as a manifestation of osteochondrosis. However, sometimes such discomfort signals various pathologies of internal organs:

Angina pectoris. When the disease occurs, the pain radiates to the shoulder, neck, and arm. Typical symptoms of the classic picture are squeezing, pressing pain in the sternum, shortness of breath after physical activity. But sometimes the disease progresses differently. The patient feels only pain in the shoulder joint of the left arm and in the neck. In this case, discomfort may not be felt in the hand, and there is no tingling in the heart. Only an ECG will detect ischemia.
Myocardial infarction. Classic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and unbearable burning pain in the sternum, unfortunately, do not always occur. Very often, pathology is signaled by a burning sensation in the shoulders and neck. As a rule, it is the left shoulder joint that worries. The disease is accompanied by patient anxiety, difficulty breathing, and perspiration on the forehead.

Joint fracture

This phenomenon is a fairly common injury. A fracture of the shoulder joint can affect any part:

head of the bone;
shoulder body;
condylar region.

Frequent sources of pathology are: falling on the hand, strong blows or sports injuries. Quite characteristic symptoms indicate a fracture of the shoulder joint:

painful discomfort in the area of injury;
bruising, swelling;
shoulder deformation, sometimes shortening of the arm may be observed;
possible loss of sensitivity in the hand and fingers;
limitation of limb mobility;
When you feel the damaged area, you sometimes hear a crunching sound.

Treatment of pathology

With these symptoms, it is unlikely that anyone will self-medicate. But it is still worth remembering that such pathologies are treated by a doctor. The patient will be prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatory and calcium-containing medications.

For mild fractures that are not accompanied by displacement, a plaster cast may be prescribed. Sometimes it is enough to apply a splint or bandage to the shoulder joint. The duration of wearing varies depending on the pathology. As a rule, it ranges from one month to one and a half.

In case of serious injuries, the patient may need surgical intervention with fixing screws, special plates, knitting needles, or rods.

After healing of the fracture, the patient is prescribed physical therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures to restore the functioning of the limb.

Crick

The shoulder joint consists of the scapula, collarbone and humerus bone. Its integrity is maintained thanks to the muscles and joint capsule, as well as tendons and ligaments. Sprain of the shoulder joint leads to a whole range of pathological changes.

The patient may experience varying degrees of damage:

Shoulder joint rupture. With this pathology, the ligaments are completely torn, all fibers are damaged.
Sprain. With this phenomenon, partial damage to the fibers is observed.

The following symptoms may indicate this pathology:

the occurrence of pain;
discomfort is felt even in a calm position;
feeling of weakness in the shoulder;
joint mobility is limited - it is impossible to lift and move the limb to the side;
the joint swells and may increase in size;
presence of bruising and bruising;
shoulder deformity;
when moving, you can hear crackling and crunching sounds;
tingling, numbness in the joint.

Treatment methods

Typically these include:

Cold compress. This procedure is acceptable on the first day. However, you should know that exposure to cold should not last more than 20 minutes.
Fixation of the joint. It is recommended to limit the load on the joint as much as possible. This will reduce pain and inflammation. In addition, the doctor may recommend a special brace for the shoulder joint or an orthopedic splint. The device ensures fixation of the joint in the desired position. Typically, the bandage is worn for several weeks.
Relief from pain. To eliminate discomfort, the doctor will recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are used for injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The medications Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, and Naproxen are often prescribed.
External means. For severe pain, it is recommended to use ointment. Pain in the shoulder joint is significantly reduced after exposure to drugs that have analgesic properties. The most effective ointments or creams are: Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Voltaren. The product must be applied in a thin layer 2-3 times a day to the damaged area.

The question of surgical intervention is raised only if drug treatment is ineffective. Sometimes surgeries are performed on athletes. This intervention allows you to completely restore shoulder mobility and muscle strength.

Pain due to osteochondrosis

This pathology occurs in people who remain in one position for a long time. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes disruption of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system and blood circulation. Often the discomfort is localized in the neck. However, pain is often felt in the muscles of the shoulder joint.

These symptoms are caused by bone growths that appear on the lateral surfaces of the vertebrae. They, injuring the nerve endings, cause pain in the patient.

Treatment of pathology

It is very important to contact a specialist in a timely manner. Since treatment is quite a complex task, an integrated approach is required:

Drug treatment. Initially, patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen. If the pain lasts long enough, additional painkillers may be recommended: Pentalgin, Tramadol. Antidepressants can also be prescribed in combination: Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline. In addition, chondroprotectors are prescribed to patients: Teraflex, Chondroxide, Structum.
Physical education classes. Gymnastics is a mandatory component of treatment. Exercises help restore damaged discs, significantly improve cervical mobility, and strengthen muscle tissue.
Rehabilitation measures. After pain relief, patients are prescribed a variety of procedures: magnetic therapy, massage, laser therapy, mud therapy, electrophoresis, traction, swimming in the pool.

Types of arthritis

Often this pathology provokes pain. In the shoulder area, 3 forms of pathology can be diagnosed:

Osteoarthritis. This disease develops as a result of degenerative age-related changes in tissues. Cartilage does not protect the articular surface from friction. This pathology is typical for older people.
Rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is systemic. The inflammatory process covers the synovial membrane of the joint. People of any age are susceptible to pathology.
Post-traumatic arthritis. The disease develops against the background of injuries - displacement, cracks or rupture of muscles. Refers to types of osteoarthritis.

Shoulder pain is the first and main sign of the development of arthritis. It increases during movement. Changes in weather also affect the patient's well-being. The patient feels a decrease in the amplitude of hand mobility. Sometimes a characteristic clicking sound is heard while driving. In the later stages, the joint hurts with such intensity that the person cannot sleep at night.

Methods of combating pathology

How to treat shoulder joint with arthritis? Initially, doctors use physiotherapeutic procedures, accompanied by medication, and physical exercise. The therapy complex includes:

warming compresses;
the use of special additives such as Chondroitin;
use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
set of exercises.

If such therapy is ineffective, surgeons resort to surgery. In this case, either a complete replacement of the damaged joint with a prosthesis or a partial replacement is considered.

Development of arthrosis

This is a chronic illness. With arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the patient's condition slowly worsens. Degradation of articular cartilage and nearby tissues occurs. The surface of the joint loses its smoothness. In places it is covered with osteophytes or salt thorns.

The development of arthrosis is slow. The first symptom indicating the development of the disease is pain in the shoulder. Periodically, the discomfort subsides. Physical labor leads to an exacerbation of pathology. The joint swells. The surrounding tissues turn red and become hot. Sometimes a crunching sound is heard while driving.

Treatment methods

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As a rule, a mild remedy such as Paracetamol is initially prescribed. If a favorable effect cannot be achieved, stronger medications are recommended to the patient: Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Nimesulide. These medications help relieve pain.
Intra-articular block. In case of severe disease, special drugs are injected into the joint cavity. Hormonal medications such as Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, and Kenalog are often used. They provide a good anti-inflammatory effect.
Chondroprotectors. Help restore joint tissue. The most preferred medications are: “Teraflex”, “Arthra”, “Arthro-Active”.

It can significantly complicate even simple everyday movements. But there is no need to despair! There are many reasons why your left or right shoulder hurts, but for every reason there is a treatment method.

Causes

There is a wide range of ailments that cause suffering to the shoulder joint:

Adhesive capsulitis. The second name of the disease is very eloquent and sounds like “frozen shoulder”. The joint capsule of the shoulder of the right or left shoulder becomes inflamed, changing in size. The pain can spread from the shoulder to the hand, and the movement of the arm is so limited that the limb appears to be “frozen.” Even just raising your hand is very painful.
Arthritis. The inflammatory process in the joint can occur due to many factors - a failure of the immune system or metabolism, a viral infection, etc.
Arthrosis. Pathology of intra-articular cartilage is often caused by age and metabolic disorders. When you try to lift something heavy with a hand affected by arthrosis, the limb reacts with sharp pain.
Bursitis. When the joint capsule becomes inflamed, pain occurs in the shoulder joint when raising the arm.

Diabetes. This disease, widespread throughout the world, has long ceased to be a death sentence, but continues to increase the likelihood of developing frozen shoulder.
Myalgia. Muscle hypertonicity leads to pain. Stress, infection, overload - all this can provoke myalgia.
Shoulder instability. Due to injury or frequent monotonous movements, the stability of the joint head is lost. In this case, the limb may go numb up to the forearm and even the hand.
Humeroscapular periarthritis. One of the common factors explaining why shoulder pain. Triggers degenerative processes in soft tissues. When you raise your arm, the pain intensifies so much that it radiates to the back of your head.
Tendinitis. With this disease, the tendons suffer from inflammation. Tendonitis is characterized by increased pain at night.
Injuries.

The causes of pain in the shoulder joint of the right or left arm can be varied, and each must be dealt with. To do this you will have to see a doctor.

Diagnostics

The first person the patient will meet will be the therapist. This doctor will collect information about the patient, ask in detail about the events that could lead to the disease, and palpate the disturbing joint.

It may be possible to limit yourself to a visit only to a therapist, but there is a possibility that the doctor will send the patient for consultation with other specialists.

A neurologist will help clarify if there was no injury, but the shoulder makes its owner feel discomfort.

If the left shoulder suffers from pain, and the pain spreads to the area of the scapula, then it is necessary to urgently visit a cardiologist. It is likely that it is not the joint that requires treatment, but the cardiovascular system.

A rheumatologist will make an accurate diagnosis if the patient is faced with arthritis, bursitis and other rheumatological diseases.

After an injury, it is logical to go to a traumatologist.

You should not rely on something that will “go away on its own,” but on the help of a professional.

Each specialist must use both proven practice and innovative diagnostic methods, no matter how confusing the diagnosis may seem:

Blood and urine tests. Do you suspect an inflammatory process? Deviations of indicators from the norm can be confirmed or refuted by guesses.
CT scan. A painless study that gives an idea of the nature of the disease.
Magnetic resonance imaging. A true favorite in the diagnostic field. “Draws” a picture of the disease clearly and in detail.
X-ray examination. It will “highlight” the presence of damage and associated tissue damage.

The integrated use of different diagnostic methods will help to find out what disease the shoulder joint has suffered from. When the enemy has revealed himself, it is time to go on the offensive.

Shoulder Pain Treatment

The diagnosis is known, which means treatment can begin. Treatment is traditionally divided into conservative therapy and surgical method. What will be treated when choosing the first type of treatment? What medicine offers:

Drugs anti-inflammatory and analgesic purposes.
Limitation of physical activity shoulder joint using a special bandage. Despite certain inconveniences, you can also find advantages: a correctly selected bandage looks stylish and impressive.
Physiotherapeutic procedures— electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetic therapy. Magnetic therapy deserves special mention. This method is applicable during the acute stage of the disease, when the limb cannot even rise up without suffering for the patient.
Exercise therapy. For many years, physical therapy has remained an effective way of rehabilitation after injuries and illnesses. The main thing is the hard work and discipline of the recovering person.
Massage and self-massage. No extreme: all movements should be soft and smooth.
Mud and mineral treatment, if the patient’s budget is designed for such events.

There are difficult cases when conservative therapy fails. Then the surgeons take matters into their own hands. After the operation there is a rehabilitation period.

At the first sign of pain in the shoulder joint, you should schedule a visit to the doctor. There is no need to wait until the unfortunate shoulder begins to hurt so much that when you raise your arm it becomes dark before your eyes. If you turn to professionals in time and start treatment, you will be able to avoid tragic consequences. The main condition is compliance with the doctor’s recommendations.

Nobody likes going to hospitals and doctors, so many people ask the question: “What can you do at home?” Only what the doctor allowed! Ideally, home treatment should be a continuation of professional therapy. At home, you can do physical therapy in strict accordance with the instructions of the methodologist and take medications in the prescribed dosage.

If you are interested in traditional medicine, then before using this or that remedy, ask what your doctor thinks about it.

People's secrets

In the absence of contraindications and a doctor’s prohibition, you can use accessible and inexpensive means:

White cabbage leaf(in summer also a burdock leaf) is rolled out using a rolling pin and applied to the sore joint in the form of a compress.
Swamp cinquefoil can be used both as a raw material for making ointment and as a base for a drink.
Lingonberry leaf tea effective for diabetes (and diabetes provokes adhesive capsulitis). In addition, lingonberry tea has disinfectant properties. But be careful! This folk remedy has very serious contraindications - gastritis and ulcers, allergies and individual intolerance.

Pain and its causes in alphabetical order:

left shoulder pain

The shoulder joint is the most unique joint in the human body in terms of its structure and functional ability. At the same time, improper and excessive physical stress on the shoulder joint leads to local inflammatory processes leading to local swelling, joint effusion, and even partial ruptures of the tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder joint.

However, the shoulder has one feature in common with a conventional mechanism: it can withstand improper handling only up to a certain limit, after which its functions are impaired. For you, such violations result in pain.

Mechanism of pain in the left shoulder

Upper shoulder pain may originate from the neck. This pain spreads along the entire length of the arm (including the hand), intensifies with neck movement, and may be accompanied by numbness or parasthesia. When examining the cervical or thoracic spine, an intervertebral hernia is often detected. Damaged intervertebral discs of the cervical or thoracic spine lose their elastic properties over time, become flattened, and the distance between the vertebrae decreases. This means that the nerve roots extending from the spinal cord are pinched and pain occurs. At the same time, swelling appears in the area where the neurovascular bundle is clamped, which leads to even greater pinching and increased pain.

Capsulitis is a rare condition of painful stiffness in the shoulder girdle muscles. In this condition, there is a limitation in the amount of abduction of the arm to the side when it is raised up and the impossibility of placing the affected arm behind the back. This condition often develops gradually, unnoticed by the patient. Women suddenly find that they cannot fasten and unfasten their bra. In severe cases, the patient is unable to bring the spoon to his mouth with this hand.

Damage to the rotator cuff occurs after performing non-standard movements in the arm (for example, painting a ceiling). On the day the work is completed there are usually no complaints. The next day - acute pain in the left shoulder when trying to remove something from the top shelf.

During the examination, the degree of tension in the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the range of movement in the left shoulder joint are determined. Radiographs of the joint will usually show no changes.

Tendobursitis occurs when reactive inflammation of the shoulder joint bursae is caused by calcifications of the muscle tendons. Characterized by acute pain in the left shoulder and significant limitation of both active and passive movements in it. Usually severe pain in the neck, shoulder and arm areas.

What diseases cause pain in the left shoulder:

The most common causes of left shoulder pain are:

1. One of the most common causes of left shoulder pain is inflammation of the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. These disorders are called tendinitis. Most often they arise from excessive stress. When you cut wood or play golf, tendons rub against bone. Hence the occurrence of irritation and pain.

2. Biceps tendonitis (the muscle on the inside of the shoulder that runs from the shoulder to the elbow area) is manifested by chronic pain that increases with movement and palpation. In the case of a complete rupture of the biceps tendon, a balloon-shaped swelling appears on the shoulder.

3. Bursitis, this partner of tendinitis and the culprit of pain in the left shoulder, is also associated with overuse. However, it manifests itself in a wider range of disorders: pain is accompanied by swelling in the area of the joint capsule - a soft sac surrounding the joint.

4. If you have pain in your left shoulder when you lift your arm, the cause may be due to the deposition of calcium salts, which leads to calcification of the joint ligaments. These salt deposits occur in the tendon that runs under the shoulder blade and collarbone. These disorders are called “collision” syndrome. Most often these processes occur at the age of 30-50 years. Left shoulder pain usually occurs suddenly, is intense and constant. Movements in the joint to abduct the shoulder from the body by 30-90 become painful. Sometimes the deposition of calcium salts in the joint is discovered by chance, while still asymptomatic, during an X-ray examination for another reason.

5. Pain in the left shoulder can be associated with traumatic injuries, less often tumors and hereditary anatomical abnormalities. A fall can cause the humerus to become dislocated in such a way that the upper arm literally flies out of the socket of the joint. When trying to cushion a fall while leaning on the arm, the tendons of the muscles that rotate the arm may rupture. If such injuries are left untreated, permanent impairment of shoulder function may occur over time.

6. Joint injuries, in addition to accidents, often occur in athletes or young people. In the latter case, recurrent shoulder dislocation often occurs. In adults, injuries to the structures of the shoulder joint occur due to aging, tissue wear, or developed osteoporosis (a disorder of calcium metabolism in the bones).

7. Left shoulder pain is one of the most common problems among bodybuilders, along with pain in the lower back, knees and elbows. A shoulder injury like this can make a number of exercises in your training program impossible. There are many reasons for this, the main one being instability of the shoulder joint.
The likelihood of a shoulder hyperextension increases significantly in key movements such as the bench press, dumbbell flyes, machine curls, and overhead presses. Pain can occur as a result of stress in the joint capsule of the shoulder girdle and excessive work of its muscles, which try to maintain the central position of the head of the humerus in the joint capsule for proper functioning of the joint. In addition, pain can result from a tear in the cartilage ring located along the glenoid cavity. The cartilaginous ring performs several functions: it deepens the articular cavity and serves as additional support for the articular capsule and the tendon of the long head of the biceps.

8. Very often, pain in the left shoulder develops in connection with a disease of the internal organs and spreads to the shoulder, for example, with liver pathology, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, pneumonia, cervical radiculitis and tumors of the chest organs.

9. The main manifestation of glenohumeral periarthrosis is pain in the left shoulder. The pain often begins gradually without an obvious trigger, is progressive, often wakes the patient up at night, and significantly affects the performance of daily activities. Movement of the joints is painful in several directions. Pain in the arm can include pain in the left shoulder, forearm and hand and can be of a different nature: burning, aching, shooting, etc. Pain in other parts of the body can radiate to the arm. The course of the disease varies - from several weeks to several months. The outcome is also different - from complete recovery (even without treatment) to the development of a blocked shoulder, and in the case of shoulder-hand syndrome - also impaired hand function.

Depending on which shoulder tendons are diseased, pain in the left shoulder occurs with various movements. Limited muscle function results in indicating the cause of the limitation.
- Pain in the left shoulder when moving the arm to the side or when moving it then forward indicates changes in the supraspinal tendon.
- Pain in the left shoulder when externally rotating the upper arm with the elbow joint pressed to the body indicates changes in the infraspinal tendon.
- Pain in the left shoulder when internally rotating the upper arm with the elbow joint pressed to the body indicates changes in the subscapularis tendon.
- Pain in the front of the shoulder when rotating the forearm inward against resistance often indicates long biceps disease.

Other causes of left shoulder pain:
- Impigmentation syndrome (narrowing syndrome).
- Tendon rupture/rotator cuff tear.
- Calcinosis of the forearm / Tendinosis calcarea / calcification of the tendon.
- Inflammatory shoulder diseases such as Polymyalgie rheumatica are an important exclusion diagnosis.
- Pain in the left shoulder can also be caused by neurogenic pathology, which is manifested by paresis, muscle wasting and sensitivity disorders (cervical radiculopathy, cervicobrachial plexopathy, neuropathy, complex regional pain syndrome, neuralgic amyotrophy, myelopathy).
- The presence of protrusions or herniations of intervertebral discs in the cervical and thoracic spine.
- Pain in the left shoulder may be reflected pain of a muscle with myofascial syndrome, the tendon of which is woven into the joint capsule.
- Arthrosis, arthritis of the left shoulder.

Which doctors should you contact if you have pain in your left shoulder:

If your left shoulder hurts, you should consult a doctor. Consult a podiatrist (preferably with experience in sports medicine) or a sports physician who specializes in joint problems. There can be many causes of left shoulder pain, and you need an accurate diagnosis to determine treatment options.

Are you experiencing pain in your left shoulder? Do you want to know more detailed information or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor Eurolab always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance. you also can call a doctor at home. Clinic Eurolab open for you around the clock.

How to contact the clinic:
Phone number of our clinic in Kyiv: (+38 044) 206-20-00 (multi-channel). The clinic secretary will select a convenient day and time for you to visit the doctor. Our coordinates and directions are indicated. Look in more detail about all the clinic’s services on it.

(+38 044) 206-20-00

If you have previously performed any research, Be sure to take their results to a doctor for consultation. If the studies have not been performed, we will do everything necessary in our clinic or with our colleagues in other clinics.

Does your left shoulder hurt? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People don't pay enough attention symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific signs, characteristic external manifestations - the so-called symptoms of the disease. Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. To do this, you just need to do it several times a year. be examined by a doctor, in order not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in the body and the organism as a whole.

If you want to ask a doctor a question, use the online consultation section, perhaps you will find answers to your questions there and read self care tips. If you are interested in reviews about clinics and doctors, try to find the information you need on. Also register on the medical portal Eurolab to keep abreast of the latest news and information updates on the site, which will be automatically sent to you by email.

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Are you worried about pain in your left shoulder joint? Is it difficult to raise your arm even without additional load? This may be a sign of a serious pathology. If the pain does not go away for several days or weeks, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the nature of the problem. Correct diagnosis in this situation is necessary for successful treatment, which is carried out both at home and in the hospital.

Causes of pathology

The shoulder joint includes several functional elements. Each of them is regularly exposed to physical activity, because with the help of hands a person performs most everyday tasks. And in the normal state of things, pain does not occur in the left shoulder joint. However, various disorders provoke unpleasant sensations that sometimes bother you for quite a long time. Doctors associate the reasons for this course of events with changes in the structure of the joint or systemic disorders of the body:

Inflammation of the tendons of a joint - tendonitis. It usually appears as a result of intense physical activity, but other factors also contribute to the disease.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the joint capsule - bursitis. The disorder often acts as a companion to tendinitis and also develops due to overexertion.
Inflammation of the periarticular tissues of the shoulder - glenohumeral periarthritis. Occurs due to hypothermia, injury or overexertion.
Infectious diseases. Bacterial infection provokes an inflammatory process and the formation of pus. A common reason for this course of events is weak human immunity, which is not able to withstand the attack of microbes.
Arthrosis. The destruction of cartilage cells and damage to joint tissue provokes pain that increases over time. There are many types of such disorders, and some of them are very difficult to get rid of.
Salt deposits - calcification. A common pathology in people over 30 years of age. If calcium salts are localized in the shoulder area, then a person is sometimes bothered by aching pain that does not depend on the position of the arm.
Sprain. For bodybuilders, this disorder is even common, because they regularly subject their musculoskeletal system to heavy loads. However, there is a risk of stretching the articular fibers sufficiently, and then acute pain cannot be avoided.
Physical trauma. A dislocation, bruise, bone fracture or tendon rupture never occurs without physical impact. At best, the patient will have capsulitis (joint stiffness), and at worst, serious damage that will require a cast.
Osteochondrosis or hernia in the intervertebral discs. Pain in the cervical and thoracic spine often extends to the shoulder blades and shoulders.
Diseases of internal organs. Pain in the left arm is sometimes a symptom of myocardial infarction or ischemia. Sometimes this sign indicates dysfunction of the liver, lungs and other organs.
Pathology of the nervous system. If the transmission of impulses along nerve fibers is disrupted, then the sensitivity and tone of a person changes in the direction of both increasing and decreasing. In this regard, pain is possible even for no apparent reason.
Neoplasms. Benign or malignant tumors provoke pain in the joints and other parts of the body.

As you can see from this list, the causes of shoulder pain are quite varied. At the same time, unpleasant sensations in the left and right hands rarely differ. Such disorders often occur in people involved in physical labor or weightlifting. However, age cannot be written off, because after 40-50 years it is much more difficult for the body to resist the development of diseases.

Still, there is one point that needs to be paid attention to: after excluding possible physical injuries and related factors, systemic disorders come first. And if the pain is localized in the left arm, then doctors require a heart examination due to the risk of developing myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.

Treatment methods

Although the pain may not bother you much, you will have to go to the hospital to determine the nature of the pathology. A minor shoulder injury usually goes away on its own, but all other causes of the disease can cause serious complications if not properly treated. That’s why it’s so important to get tested in a timely manner! So, what therapeutic measures are prescribed in certain cases?

Treatment of inflammation

If an inflammatory process is detected in the tendons, shoulder joint bursa or surrounding tissues, it is necessary to ensure rest of this part of the body. This means that you will have to forget about physical activity during the treatment period. Doctors also advise using medications, among which ointments have proven themselves to be effective:

Preparations based on pepper components (Finalgon, Vietnamese balsam “Golden Star”). The active ingredients warm the damaged area, restore blood flow and eliminate swelling, which leads to a reduction in pain.
Ointments with snake venom (Viprosal). Snake venom helps relieve inflammation, relieve pain and resolve swelling.
NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Finalgel, Diclofenac). Prescribed for joint pain, but not as a first-line remedy.
Preparations based on dimexide. This substance is used as a solvent for other components, and in its pure form it perfectly relieves inflammation.

Treatment of injuries

If the patient only slightly bruises his shoulder, then soon there will be no trace of the unpleasant sensations: they will go away on their own. However, stretching muscles and tendons is very painful, and in the event of a ligament rupture or bone fracture, medical attention is absolutely necessary. In extreme cases, surgery is even prescribed. What to do if you sprain your shoulder joint?

Apply a cold compress, but not more than 20 minutes.
The joint is fixed using a bandage or orthopedic splint.
Drink anabolic drugs (Ibuprofen, Ketorolac).
Apply non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to the damaged area.

If the patient complains of very severe pain, then a fracture is quite possible. In such situations, an X-ray examination of the joint is mandatory, and after confirming the diagnosis, a plaster cast is usually applied. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed as drug therapy, and calcium-containing drugs are prescribed for better bone healing.

Treatment of other diseases

The causes of pain in the left shoulder are not always associated with local inflammation or injury. If the pathology develops as a result of arthritis or arthrosis, then treatment will need to be aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. Therapeutic measures in this case are as follows:

Taking NSAIDs.
They warm the joint to increase blood flow and, as a result, nutrients.
Chondroprotectors are used to start the cartilage repair process (Arthra, Theraflex).
They improve phosphorus-calcium metabolism in cartilage with the help of drugs based on chondroitin sulfate.
A set of therapeutic exercises is prescribed.

A similar course is prescribed for osteochondrosis, but the treatment of this disease is not complete without spinal traction and massage, mud therapy, electrophoresis and other procedures. Among physical exercises, swimming in the pool and special physical education - exercise therapy - are especially beneficial.

For pain in the left hand

If there is pain in the left arm, the general practitioner is obliged to exclude the risk of myocardial infarction, for which the patient is urgently sent for an ECG. If a heart failure is confirmed, then the patient will be treated further by a cardiologist. Timely diagnosis in such a situation saved the lives of many people, which is why it is so important not to waste precious minutes.

In some cases, blood and urine tests are also performed to determine whether there is a bacterial infection in the body. This type of pathology is also accompanied by high body temperature and severe swelling of the joint, so if the results of the laboratory analysis confirm the doctor’s fears, then antibiotics will be used for treatment.

Proper nutrition will also help normalize the patient’s condition with shoulder pain: the diet should consist of foods containing calcium and proteins. But don’t forget about vitamins, because a lack of these biologically active substances will slow down the healing process.

Conclusion

Pain syndrome in the shoulder joint of the left arm develops for various reasons, on which the complex of therapeutic measures depends. Often the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and painkillers, but if the pathology is provoked by systemic disorders, then a more serious approach will be required.

If the shoulder hurts, the victim is unable to work, rest or care for himself normally. Discomfort occurs not only in middle-aged and elderly patients, but also in young ones. Regardless of whether the left or right shoulder joint hurts, this symptom cannot be ignored. This symptom often indicates the development of a complex destructive pathology. At the first signs of discomfort in the right or left shoulder, you should immediately undergo examination and begin therapy.

The shoulder joint is very mobile. Thanks to it, a person is able to move his hand in different directions, rotate it, lift it, put it behind his head. Such motor capabilities are provided by the spherical shape of the shoulder joint. In order for the bone surfaces to be in the correct position relative to each other, they are surrounded by cartilage tissue, as well as the ligamentous-muscular apparatus.

The shoulder capsule envelops the joint. It consists of tissue similar in structure to ligaments. The capsule in this case is quite wide to allow for a variety of movements. The shoulder muscles are attached to various parts of the skeleton: scapula, rib cage, collarbone.

Nerve impulses in the shoulder joint are transmitted through two main fibers and their branches:

Musculocutaneous nerve.
Radial nerve. It is located directly on the humerus, so it can be damaged if it is fractured.

Rheumatologist Pavel Valerievich Evdokimenko talks about the causes of shoulder pain:

Pathological processes can appear in the following parts of the joint:

Synovial membrane.
Vessels.
Ligaments. Here the pain appears due to a tear or complete separation of the tissues, which occurs due to a load exceeding their strength.
Muscles. Tissue damage can be primary (myositis) or the process of inflammation appears as a result of injury.
In the shoulder joint itself. Here the cause of pain is injury or degenerative disease.

Before treating a pathological condition in the shoulder, it is imperative to find out what caused it.

Causes of pain in the shoulder joint

If your right or left shoulder hurts, and the severity of the symptom increases, it repeats periodically, then you should immediately consult a specialist. Self-medication is fraught with complications, because self-therapy is chosen without taking into account those factors that cause discomfort. There are different causes of pain in the area of the right or left shoulder.

Table 1. Causes of discomfort

Group of reasons	Characteristic
Injuries	Sprain (partial rupture) of the ligaments. In this case, the right or left shoulder hurts. Discomfort radiates to the arm. In very severe injuries, the pain spreads to the shoulder blade and the neck suffers. Unpleasant sensations only intensify upon palpation. In addition to pain, the victim experiences swelling, redness of the skin, and an increase in local temperature in the affected area. Hand movements are significantly limited. She may go numb. Fracture. Here, severe pain is felt in the shoulder joint, spreading to the entire limb. Discomfortable sensations constantly disturb the victim, regardless of the position he occupies. The victim has severe deformity of the shoulder joint and a hematoma. There is no ability to move the injured limb. Dislocation in the shoulder joint. Here the bone surfaces completely or partially stop contacting
Joint pathologies	Tendinitis. It has different localization. It all depends on what part of the tendon or muscle is damaged. Tendinitis of the shoulder joint is typical for athletes, people who are forced to perform the same movement for a long time. The pain in the right or left joint is aching or dull. It often intensifies at night. the disease impairs limb mobility. Myositis. This is an inflammation that affects the muscle layer. It is provoked by hypothermia, influenza virus, ARVI. Even a small bruise can cause inflammation. If the pathology affects large nerves, then the discomfort that occurs in the shoulder can spread. Capsulitis. Inflammation of the synovium and capsule of the left or right shoulder joint. This disease is very rare, so its presence is assumed to be the last thing to be considered. The reason for the development of a pathological process in the shoulder is low mobility of the arm and old age. Capsulitis develops predominantly in women. Arthritis. It is accompanied by damage to cartilage tissue. This layer is gradually destroyed. Over time, the shoulder joint stops moving normally. A person feels severe pain when moving or trying to lift a limb. Due to swelling, it gradually becomes deformed. Bursitis. Here the shoulder joint hurts due to damage to the joint capsule. Discomfort is felt not only during movement, but also in its absence. The joint capsule swells. Deposits of calcium salts in the area of articular tendons. The victim's left or right shoulder hurts very much. Pain syndrome can only be eliminated with medication. Even rest does not help get rid of discomfort. Over time, the intensity of the discomfort in the shoulder only intensifies. Humeroscapular periarthritis. With this disease, the shoulders hurt after a sudden incorrect movement, due to physical overload. Usually only the left or right joint is affected, however, sometimes the inflammatory process spreads to both joints. Movement in the hand is limited. The pain is usually sharp. Severe forms of the pathology are characterized by shoulder pain more often at night. With glenohumeral periarthritis, it is difficult for the patient to raise his arm up. Inflammation of the rotator cuff. Here pain syndrome appears after lifting the limb upward. Most often, such inflammation occurs on the second day after doing hard work, and out of habit. At rest there is no discomfort inside the shoulder Arthrosis. It develops in patients after 45 years of age. Men who engage in strenuous sports or physical work are more often affected. The pain inside the shoulder joint is usually dull or aching, not severe. Unpleasant sensations appear only during movement, and are absent at rest. There are no particular restrictions on the mobility of the shoulder joint. But when the arm is abducted, the joint will click. Body temperature, as well as the general well-being of a person, practically does not change. Hereditary developmental disorder of the left or right shoulder joint
Extra-articular diseases	Osteoporosis. This is a systemic disease associated with impaired metabolism and absorption of calcium. The bones become brittle and gradually break down. This often causes shoulder pain. Spinal pathologies: displacement of the vertebrae, inflammation of their bodies. The pain causes dislocation or subluxation of the vertebrae. It radiates to the shoulder area. . In this case, not only the shoulder on the left or right hurts, but also the forearm, neck, and shoulder blade. An additional symptom is dizziness, periodic loss of consciousness, and the hand goes numb. Blood pressure can also change. The patient becomes irritable and fatigue increases. The shoulder joint begins to ache, and there is an increase in pain when coughing, sneezing, careless sudden movement, or when turning the head. Plexit. At the same time, acute pain in the shoulder appears due to nerve damage. It can be triggered by trauma, vibration, or infectious disease. The pathology is characterized by pain under the collarbone, which will radiate to the shoulder. The nature of the sensations is boring, aching. There may be loss of sensation on the inside of the arm. Muscle rigidity (stiffness). A dull pain is present immediately in the right and left shoulder. The neck is involved in the pathological process. The discomfort becomes stronger in the evening. At night, the shoulder joints can also make themselves felt. Polymyalgia rheumatica. The presented pathology is very rare, but without proper therapy it can be dangerous not only to health, but also to human life. More often it affects women after 50 years of age. The impetus for the development of the disease is stress, hypothermia
Diseases of other organs	Angina pectoris. Usually the left shoulder suffers here. In the area of the joint, a person may feel pulling or squeezing. The pain can be felt very strongly. Discomfort spreads from the shoulder to the back of the chest. Heart attack. It can also cause pain in the left shoulder. An additional symptom is increased breathing and increased sweating. There is a burning sensation and a feeling of tightness in the chest area. Tumor in the upper part of the lung. Aneurysm of the axillary artery. Pathologies of the gallbladder, inflammation of the pancreas. In addition to discomfort, the patient experiences fever, nausea and abnormal bowel movements. Diseases of the liver and spleen. There is pain in the right shoulder joint. Ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Pneumonia. Here pain accompanies every breath. Problems with blood circulation. There is pain in the shoulder joint on the left and right. Moreover, the pathology makes itself felt in childhood and persists throughout life. The disease is caused by congenital weakness of blood vessels. Although the shoulders hurt, the mobility of the arms is not limited. Habitual muscle fatigue. Tumor in or outside the shoulder joint
Other reasons	Uncomfortable posture during sleep, muscles just go numb. Pregnancy. During this period, the female body catastrophically quickly consumes calcium, which is necessary for the growth of the baby. The level of the hormone relaxin, which is responsible for relaxing muscle muscles, increases. By affecting the ligaments, it can provoke the appearance of pain inside the shoulder. Vascular problems: thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, thrombosis

If the right or left shoulder hurts, it is better for a person to undergo an examination as quickly as possible and find out the causes of the discomfort.

Why does my shoulder hurt with different movements or positions?

The shoulder joint can hurt in any position, as well as when performing various movements:

Pain accompanied by a crunching sound indicates development. Most often, these symptoms occur in professional athletes. The pain is dull.
After training. Too much physical activity damages the muscle tissue; it spasms, causing pain inside the shoulder.
. Here pain in the shoulder indicates the presence of salt deposits. When moving the limb, the discomfort only intensifies. If you lower it, the pain goes away.

If at the same time as pain a person hears a clicking sound, then we are talking about tendinitis or premature wear of cartilage tissue. In advanced cases, the tendon may even rupture.
After sleep. Incorrect body position is to blame here. To get rid of such discomfort, you need to change the pillow and mattress. Pain syndrome most often appears in the shoulder on which the person slept.
During pregnancy. Edema for women is not a rare occurrence during this period. The increased tissue volume simply compresses the articular nerve, which provokes a pain syndrome that covers the shoulder. Pain can be relieved with decongestants.

Pain in the right shoulder or left may indicate the development of a stroke. It's all about too much muscle tension. As a result of hemorrhage, subluxation of the shoulder joint may occur, which is where the pain comes from.

Often unpleasant sensations are observed in children. The shoulder will not only hurt, but it may even swell. The cause of unpleasant sensations is an infectious disease, a cold, or a dysfunction of the nervous system. It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate here. In this case, parents risk missing the onset of a serious systemic disease that destroys the shoulder and other joints.

Types of pain

The method of treating a pathological condition depends not only on the cause of its occurrence, but also on the nature of the pain. The following types can be distinguished:

Dumb. The culprit of this type of pain is tendinitis (inflammation of the biceps or triceps muscle), as well as damage to the abdominal organs and pinched protrusion. It is possible that with this type of pain syndrome, the victim will have a heart attack, pathologies of the abdominal organs, and glenohumeral periarthritis.
Spicy. It occurs due to improper redistribution of weights and their sudden lifting. It is also caused by tendonitis, arthrosis, ligament rupture, hernia, and heart attack. Often acute pain appears due to liver damage or angina.

Traumatologist Petr Aleksandrovich Popov will talk about arthritis of the shoulder joint:

Sharp. It is provoked by an infectious process to which the joint itself (its nerve endings) is exposed. Another type of pain is caused by plexopathy of the right or left shoulder joint. The exact causes of this disease have not yet been clarified. Such sensations are caused by gallstone pathology, hernia, pleurisy.
Drawing or aching pain. Such sensations often appear during the development of an attack of angina pectoris, as well as a heart attack.
Severe pain in the shoulder joint of the right arm (or left). It indicates a serious injury, bursitis, fracture, arthritis, pinched nerves, the development of an inflammatory process in the tendons, and their stretching. If such pain is radiating, it provokes damage to internal organs.
Constant. This type of pain is typical for a serious bruise, which is accompanied by damage to the humerus.
Burning. More often, this type of pain appears when the cervical vertebrae are damaged or other diseases of the spine. Additionally, the patient's hand sensitivity is impaired.

Pulsating. It occurs due to damage to the muscle corset. Ripple appears due to the fact that these tissues have lost their tone. This pathological condition is often caused by injury.
Shooting. It is provoked by inflammation of the spinal cord nerve root due to its compression during spondylosis, damage to the cervical vertebrae.
Pain accompanied by numbness of the limb. This pathological condition appears with glenohumeral periarthritis, as well as bursitis and shoulder dislocation.

If the discomfort is prolonged, then we are talking about a violation of the integrity of the joint.

Diagnostic features

In order to find out why your shoulders hurt, you must undergo an examination. First, the patient will have to see a general practitioner or family doctor. A person may need consultation with the following specialists: traumatologist, surgeon, orthopedist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, oncologist, osteopath and chiropractor.

Specialists will additionally prescribe laboratory and instrumental tests.

Table 2. Diagnostic procedures

Study	Characteristic
Physical	To begin with, the specialist will interview the patient and conduct an external examination. The patient must provide the doctor with the following information: when pain in the shoulder occurs more often, what nature does it have, how long does it last, does it become stronger at night, does it spread further. Perhaps the patient will name the factors that cause the pathology. It is important to tell the doctor about your professional background, old injuries, and the presence of other symptoms. Neurological tests (checking reflexes) and analysis of the mobility of the shoulder joints are carried out. Moreover, it can be very limited or excessive. The doctor will feel the injured shoulder to find out whether it is deformed, where exactly the pain is localized, and also to feel other signs of the development of pathology
Laboratory	Blood and urine tests, both general and biochemical. Thanks to them, the doctor examines the immune system, determines its activity in relation to its own tissues, the presence of rheumatoid factor, and the amount of uric acid in the body. In the presence of an inflammatory process, a person usually has an increased level of leukocytes and ESR. In addition, an analysis of synovial fluid is carried out, which is taken for analysis by puncture. Here a microscopic or macroscopic examination of the material is carried out
X-ray	It is carried out in several projections (necessarily from the front and from above). You will have to examine not only the shoulder, but also the cervical spine. An x-ray is required if there is a joint injury. The image will show joint deformations, bone growths (osteophytes), salt deposits, narrowing of the joint space, damage to the joint surfaces
Electroencephalography	Thanks to this study, specialists can assess the functionality of the brain. The presented diagnosis is necessary in the presence of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as in cases of suspected brain pathology
Cardiogram	It is necessary to determine problems with the heart muscle (if a heart attack or angina attack is suspected)
Ultrasound	Here the internal organs are examined. An ultrasound can check their condition. The procedure helps to determine whether there are inflammatory processes in muscle tissue and the degree of damage. An ultrasound is performed if a rupture or other damage to the ligaments is suspected. The procedure helps to determine whether there is excess fluid in the cavity of the shoulder joint.
CT or MRI	These are more extensive studies that allow you to check not only soft but also hard tissues. Also, with the help of MRI, the main cause of pain in the shoulder joints is determined. Such a study is mandatory if radiography does not give an accurate result
Biopsy	It is required only if there is a suspicion of the development of an oncological tumor in the body (and not only in the shoulder joint). The collected tissue fragments are sent for cytological and histological analysis.
Arthroscopy	The presented procedure is used not only for diagnosis, but also for the treatment of certain diseases of the shoulder joint. The examination is carried out under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. It all depends on the degree of neglect of the pathological process
Electromyography	It allows you to determine the condition of muscle tissue, the presence of fiber damage

Arthropneumography is also performed (diagnosis of the joint by introducing gas into its cavity). Only a thorough diagnosis will make it possible to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the correct treatment tactics.

Treatment

Treatment of pain largely depends on the cause of its occurrence, however, you should not engage in amateur activities. For example, if a person has a bruise or fracture of the shoulder, it is necessary to immobilize the damaged part as much as possible and put ice on it. A cold compress will help reduce the intensity of pain and prevent the spread of swelling and hematoma.

Using a shoulder brace

If your right or left joint hurts, you need to not only eliminate the symptoms, but also overcome the cause of its occurrence. Otherwise, the discomfort will return again, and the pathology will progress. Therapy is also needed in order to restore normal mobility of the joint and prevent the development of complications.

Traditional and surgical

Table 3. Features of treatment depending on the cause of pain

Pathology	Therapy tactics
Shoulder dislocation	You should not set the bones yourself. It is better to entrust this to a specialist. Once the joint is stabilized, it is immobilized for 3-4 weeks. Further, the injured limb requires rehabilitation to restore normal mobility. Full working capacity is restored within a month
Fracture	In this case, restoration of the anatomical integrity of the shoulder is required. In most cases, surgery is used for this. The healing period for a fracture is 4 to 6 weeks. Further, another 1-2 months of rehabilitation are required
Arthritis	This requires complex treatment, including taking medications, observing a work and rest schedule, adjusting nutrition, and performing therapeutic exercises. If the shoulder joint is completely destroyed, then surgery cannot be avoided. It will not be possible to completely get rid of the disease, however, it is possible to significantly slow down its development and improve a person’s quality of life
Synovitis	In this case, serious manipulations are not required for shoulder therapy if the pathological process is not complicated. You can usually get by with medications. In addition, the victim needs rest, reduced stress, and the use of cold compresses. This will help relieve swelling and relieve pain. If synovitis is caused by bacteria, then the patient is prescribed antibiotics
Myositis	In this case, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and antibiotics are used to treat the left or right shoulder. Physiotherapeutic procedures will also not be superfluous.

It is not always possible to eliminate pain without medications. A person is prescribed the following medications:

Analgesics: “No-Shpa”, “Analgin”. Such remedies can be used if a person does not have any serious diseases. An analgesic will help relieve a person’s condition until he visits a doctor. In difficult cases, the patient requires narcotic analgesics - Morphine.
: “Diclofenac”, “Nise”, “Ibuprofen”, “Indomethacin”. These are non-hormonal drugs, but it is better not to use them on their own, as they have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain and also reduce inflammation.
Corticosteroids: Prednisolone, Dexamethasone. They are used only as prescribed by a doctor. In this way it is treated in the last stages of development. You cannot change the dosage of the medicine yourself. Steroids are only needed if other medications do not provide relief. If positive dynamics are observed, then the dosage is gradually reduced.

Pharmacist Maria Luneva will tell you about the drug ibuprofen:

Immunosuppressants: Methotrexate. Such medications are used to treat the shoulder if the pain is caused by autoimmune processes.
Muscle relaxants: Sirdalud, Tizalud, Mydocalm. Such drugs help relieve severe muscle spasms and eliminate pain when moving. Such drugs cannot be found freely available in pharmacies, as they are prescription drugs.
Chondroprotectors: “Dona”, “Arthra”. They help restore the integrity of the cartilage layer, which provides shock-absorbing properties of the shoulder joint. They should be taken for a long time. But if the cartilage is completely destroyed, then such drugs are useless. You can see a more complete list of chondroprotectors by following the link.
Multivitamin complexes.
Antiallergic drugs: Suprastin, Tavegil.
Products for topical use. Ointments and gels allow you to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Sometimes the pain in the shoulder joint is so severe that intra-articular injections are necessary. But they should be done infrequently. Pain-relieving injections are also given in the forearm. If a malignant process is present, a person is prescribed chemotherapy.

Despite the fact that pain is detected in the shoulder joint of the left arm or right limb, it needs to be treated. In the most advanced cases, the patient requires surgical intervention. Surgical procedures are needed if the joint is too damaged or if traditional therapy does not help. The operation will be performed only by a specialist in a hospital setting. There are several types of shoulder interventions:

Closed reduction of broken bones. With its help, the fragments are installed in place and secured with staples.
External hardware stabilization of the shoulder joint.

The photo shows arthroscopy of the shoulder joint

Arthroscopy. This operation is performed using special equipment. The procedure is considered minimally invasive, so the recovery period for patients is reduced. Using arthroscopy, you can take tissue for analysis and remove debris and osteophytes.
Arthroplasty. Here the function of the joint is restored. Special prostheses are used to replace damaged parts.
Endoprosthetics. This is a complete replacement of the shoulder joint with an artificial prosthesis.

Surgical intervention is a last resort, which is best not taken. Complications can develop after any surgical procedure. In addition, the operation requires a subsequent period of rehabilitation.

Other therapies

What to do if your shoulders hurt, and medications do not help well enough. This is where physiotherapeutic procedures will come to the rescue. The most effective of them are:

Laser therapy.
Ultrasound. It helps improve metabolic processes, and the joint's resistance to various types of damage increases.
Electrophoresis. Under the influence of electric current, the components of medications are able to penetrate into deep tissues. Moreover, the drug is concentrated precisely in the affected area. No allergic reactions occur in this case, since the product does not enter the systemic bloodstream.

Shoulder joint electrophoresis procedure

Mud treatment.
Magnetic therapy. This treatment produces the maximum positive effect. It helps improve blood properties, improve vascular tone, and reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process. Magnetic radiation accelerates lymph outflow and blood circulation. The damaged shoulder joint heals faster.

In addition, non-traditional methods are also used for treatment: hirudotherapy, sessions with an osteopath, reflexology, therapeutic massage. Exercise therapy is a mandatory method of treatment. Treatment with leeches improves the composition of the blood and leads to its purification. The only contraindication to the use of the presented method is an allergic reaction.

With the help of therapeutic massage, which can only be done correctly by an experienced specialist, you can restore normal muscle tone and eliminate pain. Specially selected techniques will help you cope with the cause of pain. The massage will be more effective if performed using ointment or gel.

As for therapeutic exercises, the following exercises are suitable:

While sitting on a chair, your hands should be placed on your shoulders. Next, the limbs make circular movements forward and backward. Movements in each direction must be done for at least 1 minute.

Rheumatologist, psychophysiologist Pavel Evdokimenko will show several exercises for treating the disease:

The right limb needs to be brought behind the back and hooked to the left. You need to stretch your arms for 10 minutes. The same exercise should be repeated with the other limb.
Now the palms are placed on the waist, and the elbows are moved back and forth.

Physiotherapeutic treatment and exercise therapy are an obligatory part of complex therapy, which accelerates the patient’s recovery and prevents the re-development of pain.

Traditional treatment of a pathological condition

If the pain in the shoulder radiates into the arm or under the shoulder blade, it is very unpleasant. Naturally, such symptoms must be dealt with. This can also be done using home remedies. The most useful of them will be:

Essential oils. They give a good effect if used during a massage. To prepare the mixture you will need 150 ml of base oil, as well as 3-5 drops of lavender, frankincense, juniper, rosemary or geranium oil. Each product has its own properties. In addition, many of them can cause allergies, so first apply the product to a small area of skin. The patient should like the smell of the oil used - this is an additional psychological relaxation.

Therapeutic massage using essential oils

Apple cider vinegar compress. A small piece of fabric must be moistened with liquid and applied to the shoulder joint so that the material covers it both in front and behind. The compress requires additional insulation. It should be kept for no more than an hour. The procedure is repeated until the pain completely goes away.
Baths with the addition of pine needle infusion. You can also add young cones there. The raw materials are soaked in cold water and left for 12 hours. After infusion, the liquid can be added to water at the rate of 1.5 liters of product per bath. The duration of the appointment is 20 minutes.

Folk remedies are not a panacea. They cannot be used alone to treat pain in the right or left shoulder. However, in complex therapy they give an excellent effect.

Pain prevention

To prevent it from appearing at all in the right or left shoulder, it must be warned in time. To do this, it is necessary to follow certain preventive measures:

Organize proper nutrition. It must be healthy and complete. It is better to exclude from the menu any fatty foods and dishes that contain large amounts of protein. It is better to give preference to lean meat and fish, as well as jellied meats, jellied dishes, and jelly, as they contain the elements necessary to maintain the health of cartilage tissue.
Avoid alcohol.
Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow. So, after sleep a person will feel great. And since the body will be in a natural position, the risk of developing spinal pathologies is reduced.

Perform light exercises for the shoulder girdle and exercise therapy exercises daily.
Take massage courses periodically.
Take every move seriously. You need to be able to properly redistribute weights. You shouldn't carry bags on just one shoulder all the time.
If you receive any injury or bruise, you should immediately seek medical help. This will help prevent the development of complications and irreversible changes in the shoulder joints.
Do not strain the joint with excessive exercise. This rule applies not only to professional athletes, but also to those people who are forced to engage in monotonous hard work.

So, when the right or left shoulder hurts, it is imperative to look for the cause of the pathological condition. Incorrectly chosen treatment tactics can only aggravate a person’s condition.