Ilya Voloshin, chief of the Shoulder and Elbow Division at the University of Rochester’s orthopaedics department, says shoulder pain is common and often relates to aging and everyday wear and tear. Tendons become more vulnerable with age and with repetitive use, and overuse, poor conditioning, or lack of warm-up can cause inflammation and pain.
Acute injuries that lead to shoulder pain include falling, hoisting heavy objects, yardwork, and athletic activities such as tennis or golf. Pain can also come from nerves, for example neck arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, and from habits such as poor posture or sleeping on the side.
Common conditions are rotator cuff disease, frozen shoulder, impingement, and tendonitis. About 80% of frozen shoulder cases improve without surgery. Physical therapy is usually the first step and cortisone injections may help. Seek care if an acute injury leaves you unable to raise your arm, or if pain and loss of function persist for 4–6 weeks, when MRI and surgical referral may be appropriate.
Difficult words
- tendon — Strong band that connects muscle to bone.Tendons
- inflammation — Body's response causing redness, pain, or swelling.
- rotator cuff disease — Problems with shoulder muscles and their tendons.
- frozen shoulder — Shoulder becomes stiff and loses movement.
- impingement — When shoulder structures are pinched and hurt.
- tendonitis — Irritation or inflammation of a tendon.
- cortisone injection — Steroid medicine injected to reduce joint pain.cortisone injections
- physical therapy — Exercises and treatments to restore movement.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever had shoulder pain? What activities caused it and how did you treat it?
- Which first steps from the article would you try if you had shoulder pain, and why?
- Do people who do repetitive work need special exercises or warm-ups? Explain your opinion.
Related articles
Simpler treatment trial for cryptococcal meningitis in Malawi
Cryptococcal meningitis kills many people in Sub‑Saharan Africa and mainly affects people with HIV. A Phase II trial in Lilongwe is testing a sustained‑release flucytosine pellet to make treatment easier, while clinicians warn that early testing and care remain vital.
Shingles vaccine linked to lower dementia diagnoses in older adults
A study of people 66 and older in skilled nursing facilities found that those who received the recombinant shingles vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) were less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over four years, though causation is not certain.
