Most patients who come to the clinic have developed shoulder pain out of the blue with no apparent cause. The area where it hurts most can be helpful and you should think carefully where that is. We have taught our medical students to ask a set of simple questions that lead them to make a diagnosis in most patients. (If you answer yes to any of the questions follow the links to find out more information)
WHEN I MOVE MY SHOULDER I FEEL A ROUGHNESS OR GRATING WITHIN THE SHOULDER
YES - THESE SYMPTOMS SUGGEST A DIAGNOSIS OF IMPINGEMENT
WHEN I TRY AND LIFT EVEN LIGHT WEIGHTS WITH MY ARM HELD STRAIGHT I FEEL VERY WEAK
YES - THESE SYMPTOMS SUGGEST A DIAGNOSIS OF TORN SHOULDER TENDONS
I HAVE LOST LOTS OF MOVEMENT IN MY SHOULDER AND IT FEELS VERY STIFF AND PAINFUL
YES - SYMPTOMS SUGGEST FROZEN SHOULDER OR OSTEOARTHRITIS
MY SHOULDER FEELS LOOSE AND FEELS LIKE IT MIGHT DISLOCATE
YES - SYMPTOMS SUGGEST INSTABILITY
Pains felt in specific areas can suggest other shoulder conditions. Click on the picture whch is closest to where your feel your pain.
Pain in this area is usually due to a problem in the neck.
Pain in this area is usually to a problem with the rotator cuff tendons.
Pain localised high on the shoulder here is likely to be related to the AC joint
Pain felt on the front of the shoulder shooting down the front of the shoulder is often caused by a problem with the biceps tendon.
