Shoulder Problems

Shoulder injuries, arthritis and inflammation in and around joints are common problems in adults, often causing severe pain, discomfort and immobility. Follow this chart to help you talk to your doctor about your shoulder problem.

Back to Symptoms
Step 2

Answering Questions

  • Did you hit, injure, or fall on your upper arm or shoulder recently?

  • Did you feel your shoulder pop out of place and/or pop back into place?

  • Is your upper arm swollen or deformed?

  • Is your collarbone tender, or do you have a bump on it?

  • Is there tenderness or pain near the shoulder end of your collarbone, and does lifting your arm with your uninjured arm help the pain?

  • Does pain come with a twisting motion of your arm, or does a throwing motion cause pain, and does your shoulder seem weak?

  • Do you have a fever?

  • Do you have redness or swelling around your shoulder?

  • Within the last month have you had a sore throat or a skin infection?

  • Do you have redness and swelling in more than one joint, including your shoulder?

  • Do you feel pain when you move your arm above the level of your shoulder, but there’s no swelling or redness?

  • Do you have increasing stiffness and inability to move your shoulder? Do you also have diabetes?

Back to Questions
Step 3

Possible Causes

  • Diagnosis

    Your SHOULDER may be or may have been DISLOCATED or SUBLUXED (a partial dislocation followed by a relocation).

    Self Care

    See your doctor right away. Put your arm in a sling for comfort until you see a doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    Your HUMERUS (upper arm bone) may be FRACTURED or your shoulder may be DISLOCATED.

    Self Care

    EMERGENCY
    Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.

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  • Diagnosis

    Your CLAVICLE (collarbone) may be FRACTURED.

    Self Care

    Call your doctor right away. Use a sling to restrict movement of your arm and use an analgesic, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain until you see your doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    Your SHOULDER may be SEPARATED. This is also known as an AC JOINT SEPARATION.

    Self Care

    Call your doctor right away. Use a sling to restrict movement of your arm and use an analgesic, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain until you see your doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have a TORN ROTATOR CUFF or SHOULDER INSTABILITY. This can also suggest that you may have SUBLUXATION.

    Self Care

    See your doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have INFLAMMATION in or around a joint, also called BURSITIS, or a serious INFECTION of the bone, the joint or the skin.

    Self Care

    URGENT
    See your doctor right away, especially if you have a fever.

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  • Diagnosis

    These symptoms may be from RHEUMATIC FEVER, a reaction to a streptococcus (strep) bacterial infection.

    Self Care

    URGENT
    See your doctor right away.

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  • Self Care

    For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, a disease affecting the immune system, or GOUT, an inflammation of the shoulder joint.

    Self Care

    See your doctor. Apply heat to the affected area and take an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, for pain. Avoid fatty meals or alcohol, which may trigger a attack or flare.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have IMPINGEMENT, BURSITIS or ROTATOR CUFF SYNDROME.

    Self Care

    Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, and apply heat to the affected area. If your symptoms worsen or do not improve, see your doctor. Stretches or strengthening exercises may help with the discomfort.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS, also called a FROZEN SHOULDER.

    Self Care

    See your doctor. This condition is usually treated with special exercises you can do on your own, but may require a referral to a physical therapist.

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  • Self Care

    For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

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