Pain in the left shoulder treatment. Shoulders and shoulder joints hurt - how to remove pain? Diagnosis and exercises for treatment

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

Causes

There are 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 may radiate from the shoulder to the hand, and the movement of the arm is so limited that there is a feeling of "frozenness" in the limb. Even just raising your hand is very painful.
Arthritis. The inflammatory process in the joint can occur due to many factors - a malfunction in the immune system or metabolism, a viral infection, etc.
arthrosis. The pathology of intra-articular cartilage is often due to age and impaired metabolic processes. When trying to lift something heavy with an arthrosis-affected hand, the limb reacts with sharp pain.
Bursitis. When the joint capsule becomes inflamed, pain occurs in the shoulder joint when the arm is raised.

Diabetes. This worldwide disease has long ceased to be a sentence, but continues to increase the possibility of developing a "frozen shoulder".
Myalgia. Muscle hypertonicity leads to pain. Stress, infection, overload - all this can provoke myalgia.
Shoulder instability. Due to trauma or frequent repetitive movements, the stability of the head of the joint is lost. In this case, the limb can go numb to the forearm and even the hand.
Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis. One of the common factors that explain why the shoulder hurts. Starts degenerative processes in soft tissues. When raising the arm, the pain intensifies so much that it radiates to the back of the head.
Tendinitis. In this disease, the tendons suffer from inflammation. Tendinitis is characterized by nocturnal amplification of the pain syndrome.
Injuries.

The causes of pain in the shoulder joint of the right or left hand 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 is the therapist. This doctor will collect information about the patient, ask in detail about the events that could lead to the disease, and feel the disturbing joint.

It may be possible to limit the visit only to the therapist, but it is likely that the doctor will send the patient for advice to other specialists.

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

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

A rheumatologist will make an accurate diagnosis if the patient has experienced arthritis, bursitis and other rheumatological diseases.

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

One should hope not for the fact that “it will pass by itself”, but for the help of a professional.

Each of the specialists should use both proven and innovative diagnostic methods, no matter how confusing the diagnosis may seem:

Blood and urine tests. There is a suspicion of an inflammatory process? Deviation of indicators from the norm can confirm or refute guesses.
CT scan. A painless study that gives an idea of the nature of the disease.
Magnetic resonance imaging. A true leader in diagnostics. "Draws" a picture of the disease clearly and in detail.
X-ray examination. "Highlights" the presence of damage and associated tissue damage.

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

Shoulder pain treatment

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

Preparations anti-inflammatory and analgesic purpose.
Restriction of motor activity shoulder joint with a special bandage. Despite certain inconveniences, you can also find pluses: a properly selected bandage looks stylish and impressive.
Physiotherapy procedures- electrophoresis, phonophoresis and magnetotherapy. About magnetotherapy is worth mentioning separately. 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, physiotherapy exercises have remained an effective way of rehabilitation after injuries and diseases. The main thing is the diligence and discipline of the convalescent.
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 activities.

There are difficult cases when conservative therapy can not cope. Then surgeons take matters into their own hands. After the operation, a rehabilitation period follows.

At the first sign of pain in the shoulder joint, it is worth scheduling a visit to the doctor. There is no need to wait until the unfortunate shoulder begins to hurt so badly that when you raise your hand it will darken 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 to follow the recommendations of the doctor.

Nobody likes to go to hospitals and doctors, so many people ask themselves: “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 physiotherapy exercises 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 this.

People's secrets

In the absence of contraindications and a doctor's ban, you can use affordable and inexpensive means:

white cabbage leaf(in the summer also a burdock leaf) is rolled out with 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 the manufacture of ointments, and as the basis for a drink.
Cowberry leaf tea effective in 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 in the shoulders and neck is familiar to people of all ages, leading an active or passive lifestyle. There are many reasons why shoulders and neck hurt. Some are minor, others require prompt medical intervention, so you need to find out about the source in time and get rid of possible negative consequences.

The disease manifests itself on one side of the neck, gradually moving to the shoulder region. A person is deprived of the possibility of a painless turn of the head, movement of the hand. Over time, severe pain in the neck and shoulder blocks the joints, growing and intensifying. Increased pain during movement, the transition to the upper limb means that the disease is progressing.

Most often, problems begin with symptoms:

Numb shoulder or neck;
Unpleasant, pulling sensations in the neck or upper limbs;
Joints crack or click;
The muscles are very tense;
Pain limits movement;
Muscles ache, become inflamed;
Feels ;
Pain in the neck and shoulder region, both on the left and on the right side;
Pain when in the cold;
Sharp pain when turning or lifting the head;
Discomfort in the ligaments, pain is felt.

Causes

There are two options for why neck and shoulder pain appears: changes in the anatomy of the structure and penetrating pain from diseases of various organs.

In the first variant, pain is experienced in the region of the cervical column of the spine, shoulder joint, skeletal muscle tissue, nerve fibers, and blood vessels. Pathology affects the organs, involving the rest, showing the standard clinical pattern.
The second option is heart problems and gallbladder disease that radiates to the arm, shoulder, or neck.

Identification of the causes of pain in the cervical region of the spine, extending to the shoulder, is entrusted to a specialist, and not to a patient. Some pathologies require immediate transfer to a hospital for surgeons and therapists, sometimes resuscitation is required.

Perhaps you need information:

Shoulder and neck pathologies

The region of the cervical spine, including the canals of the spinal cord, the bones of the girdle of the upper limbs, shoulder joints, and a lot of muscle tissue, is the collar zone. The main and largest muscle is the trapezius, whose branches extend throughout the region of the neck and nearby organs. The area near the spine contains many blood vessels, cervical plexus of nervous tissue.

The artery that delivers blood cells to the brain is located in a canal with notches of the transverse processes of the vertebrae of the neck, called the vertebral artery (left or right).

Muscular departments

Pain in the muscles in the neck, associated with the shoulder, arise from a long stay in one position of an uncomfortable posture. Neck and shoulder pain in office workers, people behind the cash register, programmers, artists and scientists. Those who choose this type of occupation lead a passive lifestyle, walk a little, sit for many hours at an easel, computer, and other things. If the shoulder hurts, gives to the neck, or vice versa after a long sitting in one place, a simple warm-up and a walk help, there is no question of any serious methods of treatment.

Read also:

intervertebral cartilage

Pain in the cervical spine appear due to osteochondrosis. It is necessary to treat such a disease not only for people of mature age, but also for young people. The process is degenerative, develops in the structure of the connective tissue of the spine. Changes in the cartilage cover lead to displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other, which is called spondylolisthesis.

Pain in the cervical spine is the result of crumbling of cartilage between the vertebrae, hernia or blockage of the vertebrae, growth of bone tissue that forms spikes - osteophytes. Processes in which the nerve roots are compressed, tissues become inflamed, pain in the neck and shoulders appears, are successfully treated.

shoulder joint

Pain in the shoulder and neck is the result of arthritis of the shoulder joint or periarthritis - inflammation of the tissues around the joint without affecting the capsule. When the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, it can radiate to the neck with the affected joint. It is rare in rheumatoid arthritis, where the joints between the vertebrae are involved in the painful process. There is a tumor, the skin turns red, becomes hot, there is a strong limitation in movements.

Be sure to read:

When there is pain in the neck, but there is no desire to contact specialists, but you want to engage in self-treatment, it is important to remember that the shoulder joints with inflamed rheumatoid arthritis in a severe form of the last stages are not curable, and the patient becomes unable to serve himself, becoming disabled.

The brachial plexus of nerves take part in the effect of periarthritis, pass to the cervical zone and give to the back of the head. The subacute course of the disease is mild, there is aching pain between the neck and shoulder.

Articular movements are limited, as in the variant with arthritis, but the inflammation is not pronounced, the pathology is treated well. Ultrasound is used to determine joint problems. In special cases, arthroscopy is performed. It allows you to carry out additional therapeutic actions, such as the introduction of drugs to get rid of inflammation in the joints.

Perhaps you need information: ?

Spinal artery

When it is difficult to understand the cause of pain in the cervical spine, this indicates. It is accompanied by barely expressed pain, but the head hurts, noise in the ears, the quality of vision decreases, fainting occurs.

Interesting to read:

Doctors confuse it with vegetovascular dystonia, prescribe long courses of treatment, but the state of health continues to deteriorate rapidly. There are disorders associated with cerebral circulation. To identify the cause, an MRI is done, the exact cause and level of danger are established.

Diseases of the internal organs

Having written off the problems that have appeared on osteochondrosis, people take up its treatment on their own or neglect their own health without going to the doctors. Pathologies progress, and the pain, the cause of which is a disease of the internal organ, radiates to the shoulder or neck.

Angina pectoris manifests itself in the form of compressive pressing pain behind the chest in the region of the heart. Shortness of breath that occurs during physical exertion disappears at rest. Doctors come across cases where the patient felt pain in the left shoulder and neck with angina pectoris and nothing else. It is not felt in the upper limb, there are no cardiac tingling, the ECG reveals ischemic changes. When the pain goes away with the use of nitroglycerin, the presence of the disease is confirmed.

myocardial infarction

A dangerous pathology - myocardial infarction, manifests itself in a person with a sudden difficulty in breathing at complete rest, the area behind the chest is accompanied by an unbearable burning sensation. The patient describes a burning sensation in the neck, shoulder on the left side. Anxiety, forehead sweating, shortness of breath are the companions of pathology. If the damage to the heart muscle is extensive, pain shock occurs and increases. Assistance must be timely and adequate so as not to aggravate the situation.

biliary colic

Pain in the cervical region and right shoulder speaks of biliary colic, which is inherent in people who experience all the hardships of gallstone disease. When the gallbladder is inflamed, the phrenic nerve shows a reaction, this is called the phrenicus symptom.

If the menu and diet are violated, the use of smoked meats, fried foods or high-fat foods, the patient feels sick, vomits, the sclera and skin turn yellow, this is obstructive jaundice. If symptoms occur, hospital treatment is required, the help of surgeons during the "cold period". Suspecting bile peritonitis, the operation is prescribed and carried out on an emergency basis.

Lung tumor and Pancoast syndrome

Cancer tumors in this area are rare, but you can’t forget about it, because the main manifestation is pain in the shoulder near the neck. The initial stage of the growth of a cancerous tumor is not noticeable, it is not possible to identify it without the help of a specialist. After a while, growing and capturing the surrounding tissues, it reaches the brachial plexus, sympathetic nerve fibers located in the interval from the initial segment of the neck and ending with the cervical ganglia.

There are symptoms in the form of a sunken eyeball - enophthalmos, narrowing of the pupil - miosis, eyelid prolapse - ptosis. Horner's syndrome is common with affected tissues of the nervous sympathetic tissues of the neck. A person gets tired faster than before, loses weight before his eyes, feels general weakness throughout the body. It is difficult to cure cancer, it will take a lot of time and effort, but success depends on the stage at which the tumor is developing. Doctors prescribe treatment in the form of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which helps to eliminate cancer cells.

Complications

When the neck hurts, it may seem that the cause is a stretched muscle or a stiffened nerve. Many people put off going to the doctor for later, believing that "everything will pass by itself." As practice shows, non-serious injuries often turn out to be hidden dangerous diseases, which later manifest themselves in a severe form.

The neck area contains many vessels that provide the brain with blood, as well as nerve endings that are easily pinched and damaged, immobilizing a person. Pinchings cause irreparable damage to the brain due to lack of nutrition.

The neglected form of osteochondrosis leads to pulsating pain, because the vessels are compressed and hypertension appears, the performance of blood vessels and the heart deteriorates, vision deteriorates, the person becomes deaf and is unable to coordinate their own movements of the limbs and the body as a whole.

The consequence of a compressed spinal artery leads to cerebral ischemia, spinal stroke, which is often encountered in medical practice. Sciatica is another disease that is preceded by problems with the blood vessels and arteries of the spine. A hernia appears, and when the spinal cord is compressed, paralysis and even death occur.

Please read the information carefully:

Treatment Methods

The choice of treatment therapy is influenced by the condition of the patient and the type of disease. The main task is to relieve inflammation and eliminate pain. To avoid incorrect diagnosis, deterioration of the condition, not to start the disease, it is important to abandon self-medication, folk remedies.

Medicines

Conservative methods using drugs are used:

Chondroprotectors improve blood circulation ("Artrazin", "Teraflex");
Drugs that eliminate the inflammatory process, reduce swelling ("Indemethacin", "Methoxicam", "Diclofenac");
Analgesics that reduce the level of pain ("Ketorol", "Analgin", "Barangin");
Antispasmodics that improve blood flow ("Mydocalm", "Trental");
Ointment and gel against the inflammatory process ("Diklogel", "Voltaren", "Nicoflex").

We recommend reading:

Physiotherapy

They carry out procedures: they treat with mud, healing waters, do acupuncture, magnetotherapy, use electrophoresis.

Arthrosis and arthritis are treated with drugs for inflammatory processes, chondroprotectors are used. With an advanced degree of the disease, analgesics and hormones are prescribed, alleviating pain. Medicines are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. If there is no result, replace the shoulder joint.
To relieve pain from a bruise, ice cubes wrapped in a cloth are applied, and if the pain is unbearable, analgesics are used.
Medicines for inflammation are used for periarthritis. Doctors prescribe topical ointments.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is treated by doing massage, doing physical education and performing physiotherapy procedures. The chronic form obliges to repeat courses.

Your feedback on the article

The human body is a complex mechanism, where different tissues are combined in each part of the body, generously braided by vessels and nerves of different calibers at the same time. In some areas there are more nerves, in others there may not be at all.

One nerve fiber can carry information from adjacent, but, nevertheless, different tissues (for example, from the capsule of the joint and the muscles that move it). In addition, there are nerves that are of sufficient length. They include fibers coming from the lower and higher organs. So they carry information about sensations (this is what sensitive nerve fibers do) from organs located far from each other and not connected to each other.

Why this lyrical digression? It is directly related to your question - what can 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 movement in it. But the causes of pain can also lie in the pathology of the internal organs. Large nerve fibers carry information about the sensitivity of 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), the diaphragm (it can hurt on both sides).

Anatomy

Below we will return to individual details of the anatomy. Now let's talk briefly.

The shoulder joint is the most mobile. It provides movement in any direction. So, the arm can be taken away from the body to the side and up, brought to it, raised up, wound behind the head or behind the back, rotated (this is the name of movement around its own axis) when bending at the elbow.

High mobility is determined by the shape of the joint, which is called spherical. Here the humerus ends in an almost full "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 was not surrounded on all sides by cartilaginous tissue, the head of the shoulder would “fly out” of the joint with every movement. But this articular "lip", as well as the ligaments abundantly braiding the articulation of the bones, hold the shoulder in place.

The articular capsule is a tissue formation similar in structure to the ligamentous apparatus. This structure "wraps" each joint, making it possible to circulate within this enclosed space. The peculiarity of the capsule of this particular joint is that it is wide, forms a space for the 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 with their endings 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.

Muscles are attached to the humerus, and diverge from it in different directions. They form the rotator cuff of the shoulder:

the deltoid muscle is responsible for shoulder abduction;
subscapular - for the rotation of the shoulder inward;
supraspinatus - for lifting and abduction to the side;
small round 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 disturbed or causes pain (for example, pain that appears when you raise your hand indicates inflammation of the supraspinatus muscle).

All these structures - muscles, ligaments, articular cartilage and capsule - are permeated with sensory nerves that carry the sensation of pain to the brain if inflammation develops in any of the tissues, it is stretched or torn.

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

Please note that health workers call the upper third of the arm “shoulder” - from the shoulder to the elbow joint. The section from the neck to the shoulder joint is called in medicine the “shoulder girdle” and, together with the structures surrounding the scapula 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. These include inflammation of the capsule that rotates the arm of the muscle cuff, articular bag, cartilage on articulating bones, muscles, tendons or the entire joint, some non-inflammatory diseases of these same structures.
Pathologies with extra-articular localization. This group includes osteochondrosis of the cervical region, inflammation of the sensitive nerve fiber (neuritis) or the entire large nerve, which is part of the brachial plexus (plexitis), chest disease, heart disease or digestive tract, whose inflammation or tumor "gives" to the area shoulder.

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 that are attached here with their tendons, therefore, tendonitis can have a different localization. The symptoms of the disease will depend on this.

Common features of any tendinitis are:

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

supraspinatus tendonitis

This is a muscle that is located in the upper part of the shoulder blade and reaches the outer part of the head of the shoulder along a short path. Its tendon becomes inflamed most often in case of injury or if there is chronic inflammation of the bag lying under the acromial process of the scapula.

Here, the pain in the shoulder either intensifies or weakens - in periods. The maximum pain is noted if you take your hand to the side by 60-120 degrees. It will also hurt if you put pressure on your shoulder or pat on it.

A complication of untreated tendinitis is an incomplete rupture of this tendon.

Tendinitis of the biceps tendon

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

Symptoms of this tendonitis:

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

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

Tendonitis of the infraspinatus muscle

This is a disease of athletes and workers of heavy physical labor. It has no obvious symptoms. Only pain during rotation of the entire limb, if at the same time press 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 even lower - to the fingers of the hand.

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

Rotator cuff inflammation

Here, pain in the shoulder joint is found when raising the arm up (when you need to get something or when sipping).

This happens on the second day after a person has worked intensively with his hands, especially if before that he did not have to do such work (for example, whitewash the ceiling). The pain is sharp, severe, disappears when lowering the arm. Don't worry at rest.

If at the same time an X-ray examination of the shoulder joint is carried out, the radiologist will say that he does not see any pathology. The diagnosis will be made only by a traumatologist or sports medicine doctor.

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

Here, the pain in the shoulder joint is acute, occurs for no apparent reason, limits any hand movements, does not allow an outsider (for example, a doctor) to make passive movements with a sick hand.

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 the ligaments of the joint, or radiating pain in diseases of the abdominal organs.

Capsulitis of the shoulder joint is more common in women 40-50 years old, who had to lie down for a long time without moving their arm in full.

Inflammation develops gradually, imperceptibly to a person. At some point, he notices that it has become too difficult (as a feeling of "numbness") to perform a familiar movement with his hand, requiring it to be lifted up or behind his back. So, it becomes painful, for example, to play a musical instrument or to handle the fastener of a bra. This symptom is called "frozen shoulder".

Arthritis - inflammation of the internal structures of the joint

The disease develops due to:

joint contact with infected tissues;
penetrating wound with an infected object or operation with non-sterile instruments;
bacteria entering the joint with blood flow;
rheumatism caused by the bacterium streptococcus (usually develops after a sore throat or glomerulonephritis);
hemorrhages in diseases of the blood coagulation system, when the blood that has entered 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 have entered it;
allergies to substances that have entered the body (often such a reaction occurs as a response to the introduction of protein preparations into a vein or muscle: serums, antitoxins, vaccines);
autoimmune damage, when the body considers joint proteins to be foreign and begins to produce antibodies against them (this happens with rheumatoid arthritis).

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

The symptoms of arthritis cannot be ignored. This:

severe pain in the shoulder joint;
it does not pass at rest, but increases with movement, especially when trying to put a hand behind the head, lift it up or take it to the side;
the pain is aggravated by palpation (palpation by a doctor) or a light touch of the joint;
it is impossible to raise a hand above a conditional line drawn horizontally through the axis of the shoulder joint (that is, above the shoulder girdle);
the joint is deformed due to edema;
the joint may become hot to the touch;
body temperature rises.

Arthrosis is a non-inflammatory lesion of the tissues of the joint

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 often tolerated arthritis, as well as in the elderly - due to a violation of the normal blood supply to the structures of the joint.

The symptoms of arthritis are as follows:

sharp pain in the shoulder, which occurs with any movement of the arm, but passes at rest;
maximum pain - when lifting weights with this hand;
it hurts when you touch the collarbone and the bottom of the scapula;
poor mobility in the joint gradually develops: it no longer hurts, but it is impossible to raise your hand, throw your hand behind your back;
when moving in the shoulder, a crunch or noise is heard.

Shoulder injuries

The pain that appeared in the shoulder after a blow to this area, falling on its side, lifting weights, a sharp or unnatural movement of the arm, suggests that the person 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, it hurts with the arm or it is impossible to move at all because of the pain, there may be a rupture of the tendons and muscle damage - only a traumatologist can distinguish 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, it is only possible to passively (with the help of the other hand or when it is done by an outsider) move this limb, while a crunch or some movement can be felt under the skin if the area of the joint itself or below it is swollen, up to it it hurts to touch, then, most likely, there was a fracture.

Deposition of calcium salts in the tissues of tendons or ligaments

Such a condition - calcification of the soft tissues of the joint - can develop in a person over 30 years of age against the background of a deterioration in 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:

constant shoulder pain
does not disappear at rest;
aggravated by raising the arm or moving it to the side;
its intensity increases with time.

Diseases of the spine

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

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

will manifest as pain in the shoulder joint.

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

The most common disease of the spine that causes pain in the shoulder is osteochondrosis. This is a condition when the cartilaginous 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 "bare" vertebrae compresses the root of the fourth, fifth or sixth cervical spinal nerve, and shoulder pain occurs.

For diseases of the spine, the following is characteristic:

pains occur in the shoulder and arm: they spread from the shoulder joint to the elbow, and sometimes to the hand;
aggravated by turning and tilting the head;
along with pain, the sensitivity of the hand is disturbed: it freezes or, conversely, feels hot;
goosebumps often run along the sore arm, numbness or tingling is observed.

Osteochondrosis is often complicated by humeroscapular periarthritis, when the tendons of the muscles that move the shoulder, as well as the capsule and ligamentous apparatus 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 is the pain in the shoulder:

appears abruptly, for no apparent reason;
increases gradually;
occurs at night;
aggravated by raising the arm, as well as attempts to bring it behind the back, lay it behind the head or take it to the side;
during the day, at rest, the pain subsides;
localized pain in the shoulders and neck
after a few months, even without treatment, the pain syndrome disappears, but the joint loses its mobility: it becomes impossible to raise the arm above the horizontal line or put it behind the back.

Shoulder nerve neuritis

Here, the shoulder joint experiences pain, being, together with the tissues surrounding it, in perfect condition. Pathology is characterized by the appearance of a “lumbago” in the shoulder, after which acute pain remains. It gets worse with hand movement.

Shoulder 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: fracture of the collarbone, sprain or dislocation of the shoulder joint;
birth trauma - in a newborn baby;
long stay in a forced position: with complex and lengthy surgery on the organs of the chest or abdomen, with the features of professional activity that require a long position with an abducted or raised arm;
vibrations;
wearing crutches;
a common infectious disease (diseases caused by viruses of the herpetic group are especially capable of this: mononucleosis, herpes zoster, herpes simplex, chickenpox);
hypothermia of the shoulder area;
as a result of a violation of metabolic processes in the body: with diabetes mellitus, gout).

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

severe pain radiating to the shoulder, but localized in the area above or below the collarbone;
aggravated by pressure on the area below the collarbone;
becomes stronger when moving the hand;
characterized as shooting, breaking, drilling 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, may even acquire a bluish color;
the brush may swell;
"goosebumps" that "run" along the inside of the arm, but more in its lower part;
the hand does not feel hot / cold, pain.

Other reasons

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

narrowing syndrome (impingement syndrome);
cervical-brachial plexopathy;
myofascial syndrome;
myelopathy.

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

Reflected pain

In the shoulder can give pain in diseases of the internal organs:

Angina pectoris is a condition where 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, whether it is walking against the wind, lifting weights or climbing stairs, it does not have to be a movement with the left hand. The pain goes away at rest. May be accompanied by a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart. Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of angina pectoris.
Myocardial infarction manifests itself in a similar way to angina pectoris. But here the main symptom - even if the site 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, there may be a loss of consciousness. The pain is very severe, requiring emergency medical attention. Learn 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, radiates 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 chronic exacerbation. In this case, nausea, a bitter taste in the mouth, and fever are usually noted.
Upper lobar pneumonia can also be accompanied by pain in the shoulder from the diseased lung. At the same time, there is weakness, lack of air, cough - dry or wet. The temperature often rises.
Rheumatic polymyalgia. If pain in the shoulder appeared after a person had a sore throat or scarlet fever, especially if before that there was an increase and soreness of the knee joint, most likely he developed a complication - rheumatism. A pain syndrome 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

Consider the characteristics of pain that can develop in any shoulder joint:

When it hurts	What is this
When raising the arm forward or moving it to the side	supraspinatus tendonitis
When rotating the arm around its axis towards the thumb, if the elbow is pressed to the body	Tendonitis of the infraspinatus muscle
When rotating the arm in the shoulder around its axis towards the little finger, when the elbow is pressed to the body	Inflamed muscles located in the subscapular region
Pain in the front of the hand when the forearm is turned towards the little finger It hurts to open the door with the key Shoulder pain gets worse when lifting weights When bending the arm at the elbow, the shoulder hurts Pain pierces 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 hurts only when lifting weights, even small ones.	Inflamed deltoid tendon
Pain when moving arms back	Tendonitis or sprain of the supraspinatus tendon
Shoulder hurts when arm is raised vertically	Arthritis or arthrosis of a small joint between the process of the scapula and the collarbone, when the muscles surrounding it become inflamed
Shoulder hurts when trying to comb, style hair, throw hands behind head or rotate them around the axis towards the thumb	Stretched infraspinatus or teres minor tendon
The pain is aching, appears only when you put your hands behind your back, when you try to get an object from your back pocket. It hurts to lie to the side of the little finger	Injured (stretched or inflamed) subscapularis tendon
Shoulder and neck pain	arthritis osteochondrosis myalgia plexitis of the shoulder joint arthrosis arthritis
Shoulder and arm pain	Intervertebral hernia tendinitis bursitis humeroscapular periarthritis
Pain from elbow to shoulder	Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis osteochondrosis bursitis inflammation of the cartilage 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
Shoulder and back pain	This indicates muscle spasm due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, the same type of muscle work, hypothermia, compression syndrome.
Shoulder and collarbone pain	Clavicle fracture infringement and inflammation of the roots of the spinal nerves brachial plexus neuralgia intercostal neuralgia humeroscapular periarthritis

If your right shoulder hurts

Pain in the right shoulder is typical for:

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

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

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

Pain in left shoulder

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 in addition to this symptom, a heart attack has no other signs, only sudden fear and a sharp "throwing into a sweat."

Pain in the shoulder on the left can also talk about another pathology of the heart - angina pectoris. Then this symptom accompanies physical activity, walking against the wind (especially cold), climbing stairs. Usually the pain disappears at 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 the intensity of pain

Consider which disease can cause one or another subjective characteristic of shoulder pain.

Strong pain

This is how pain is described when:

Stretching of the tendons of the shoulder. Then the person remembers that on the eve he endured heavy things or could sleep in an uncomfortable position.
Shoulder dislocation. In this case, you can also remember the episode when someone pulled his hand or had to grab onto 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 that case, the joint turns red, deformed, it is very painful to touch it.
Bursitis. The pain occurs suddenly, does not allow the person himself or the doctor conducting the examination to move his hand.
Tendinitis. Pathology is manifested by pain when performing various movements, which depends on which tendon is inflamed. Symptoms of the main tendinitis are described above.
Intervertebral hernia. At the same time, pain is not only in the shoulder, but also in the neck and face. The hand freezes, goosebumps run along it, it does not feel cold, warm.
Diseases of the lungs, liver or spleen. They are described above.

Sharp pain

If pain in the muscles of the shoulder 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. It is believed that it is inherited, but more often its appearance is provoked by vaccination. This disease is characterized by the fact that, on the one hand, short branches extending from the brachial plexus become inflamed. It usually develops at the age of 20-40.

Here the pain occurs in one shoulder, suddenly, has a sharp character. It hurts not only the shoulder, but also the shoulder girdle. This goes on for a few days, then it goes away. Muscle weakness appears: it becomes difficult to raise your hand, lay 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:

arthritis of the shoulder joint;
capsulitis;
pleurisy;
cholelithiasis;
intervertebral hernia.

acute pain

This syndrome is accompanied by:

joint injury;
tendinitis, tendobursitis;
arthritis or arthrosis;
rupture of the shoulder tendon;
intervertebral hernia, localized in the cervical or thoracic region;
angina;
liver pathology;
myocardial infarction.

Nagging pain

This is how pain is described in humeroscapular periarthritis. It occurs for no apparent reason, at night. It is localized not only in the shoulder, but also in the neck, aggravated by putting it behind the back, 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 all the time, it could be:

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

Blunt pain

This is how they describe:

tendinitis. In this case, the pain increases with movement;
humeroscapular periarthritis. Pain is also related to movement;
diseases of the abdominal organs;
infringement of the intervertebral hernia of the lower cervical or upper thoracic region;
myocardial infarction.

Burning pain

The syndrome of such characteristics is inherent in diseases of the spine. Here the pain increases with active movements of the hand, but if the limb is fixed, the pain disappears.

In addition to pain, the sensitivity of the hand is disturbed, “goosebumps” periodically run along it. The strength of the muscles of the upper limb decreases. She can get cold.

Shooting pain

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

Pain with numbness of the arm

This symptom is accompanied by:

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

What to do if you have shoulder pain

In order for the treatment of pain in the shoulder joint of the arm to be correct, it is necessary to determine its cause. First of all, they begin 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, a person is recommended to consult an orthopedist-traumatologist. This specialist will check the movement along each of the axes of the limb, probe the joint. He may prescribe the following types of research:

x-ray of the joint: it will show the pathology of the bones: fracture, dislocation, fracture-dislocation;
radiography of the cervical and thoracic spine;
Ultrasound of the joint, which will reveal inflammation of the muscles, rupture or sprain of ligaments and tendons, 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 the 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 take painkillers only:

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 the connection of pain with movement.

Immediately before visiting a specialist, it is impossible to stop your own pain: this way the doctor will not be able to determine the cause or direct him to the diagnostic method that is needed in the first place.

If there is a connection of pain with a certain movement of the arm, it is also necessary to immobilize (immobilize) the affected limb by bending it at the elbow and bringing it to the body. In that case, before you get to an orthopedist 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 diseased joint:

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

Independently - before consulting a therapist - you can not take any folk remedies, perform a shoulder massage or exercise therapy. All this is assigned 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 exertion on this joint, inflammatory processes develop, resulting in swelling, joint effusion, partial rupture of the tendons, 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 such a symptom occur in the shoulder area on the left? Let's take a closer look.

Causes of shoulder pain

The syndrome of pain 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 is disturbed in it. Such a symptom may accompany an intervertebral cervical hernia.

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

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

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

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

after heavy physical exertion;
due to injury;
with intercostal neuralgia;
the left shoulder hurts even after hypothermia, especially after being exposed to a draft.

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

Tendinitis

If the shoulder hurts, giving in the forearm, this may be a signal for the development of tendinitis, an inflammatory and degenerative disease that occurs after a lot of physical exertion.

As a result of this cause, the first symptom is pain, which is sharp, aching or dull in nature. Its amplification occurs after a sharp raising of the hand, which also becomes numb. The hand can be very sore at night, which often leads to insomnia. Also, an increase in the pain syndrome is observed during palpation of the hand. In addition to such a syndrome, with tendonitis, there are also signs such as limitation of arm mobility, inflammation, and the process of tissue degeneration.

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

At the first stage, such treatment is carried out as the exclusion of any loads and fixation of the joint with an immobilizing agent. It is also recommended to do exercises to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder.
At the second stage, the treatment is supplemented by injections with the introduction of anesthetics. Severe pain is recommended to be treated with muscle relaxants. Treatment with drugs alone will not bring quick results. It is also necessary to do physiotherapy procedures.
At the third stage, surgical treatment is indicated, which is carried out if conservative methods have not been effective.

Sprain

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

Strengthening of the pain syndrome is observed after palpation of the lesion site. Associated symptoms are: edema, redness of the skin, hyperemia, hematoma, limitation of arm mobility, moreover, it becomes slightly numb.

Treatment is mostly conservative. If there is a severe case, an operation is prescribed. First aid after injury is to apply a cold compress and a fixing bandage. You can eliminate pain with the help of an analgesic, and regenerate the affected fibers with the help of chondroprotectors.

Shoulder bone fracture

If there has been an injury, pain in the shoulder area on the left side may signal a bone fracture. Trauma pain syndrome can cover not only the shoulder, but also the forearm, as well as the neck. At the same time, discomfort worries both in the prone position and in the standing position. Even the shoulder blade can hurt, especially if the fracture caused the bones to move. 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 the pain syndrome only after eliminating its cause. So, a mild form of a fracture requires treatment with a plaster cast. If a displacement is diagnosed, it is necessary to do a reduction, which should only be done by a doctor. After this procedure, plaster is applied, which is worn for two months.

Treatment includes taking painkillers and calcium supplements.

Intervertebral hernia of the cervical region

Such a pathological phenomenon as an intervertebral hernia is characterized by a pain syndrome that spreads along the entire arm, covering areas such as the neck, shoulder, forearm, shoulder blade. Together with the pain, swelling, headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, the hand goes numb. The natural indicator of arterial pressure may be disturbed. At the same time, the person becomes more irritable and quickly gets tired of physical work.

The syndrome has a aching character and occurs with some periodicity. Increased pain is observed after coughing, sneezing, tilting and turning the head.

If a hernia is diagnosed, the treatment of such a 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 treatment is 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 hernia repair.

Myositis

Why does myositis occur? The causes of this disease lie in hypothermia, SARS, influenza. The main symptom is pain on the left side, which covers areas such as the back of the head, forearm, shoulder, neck. In the event that the involvement of large nerves in the pathological process is diagnosed, the pain spreads along the entire arm, and the scapula 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 an ointment. Analgesics can help relieve discomfort and pain. But it is worth considering that treatment should be directed, first of all, to eliminating the cause of pain, that is, myositis.

Capsulitis

Pain only in the area of the left shoulder can be a symptom of capsulitis - inflammation of the capsule and synovial membrane of the joint. The usual hypothermia, frequent colds, diseases of the vertebral section, heart, joint can lead to the development of the disease.

You can determine the symptoms based on the stage of the course of the disease.

Treatment of the cause of pain is determined based on the stage of the course of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body. In the early stages, discomfort can be eliminated with an anesthetic. Severe pain should be treated with injections of glucocorticosteroids, and massage and physiotherapy are also recommended. If a severe course of the disease is diagnosed, surgical intervention is prescribed.

Arthritis

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

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

Treatment is carried out with the help of nonsteroidal drugs, analgesics, glucocorticoids. It is also recommended to do physiotherapy procedures and follow a proper diet. In severe cases, an operation is prescribed.

angina pectoris

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

The treatment of pain syndrome means, first of all, the elimination of the provoking cause, that is, angina pectoris. Necessary drugs should be prescribed only by a doctor. If the disease is diagnosed at a severe stage, they resort to surgical intervention.

periarthritis

Periarthritis - the deposition of salts in the shoulder joint. As a rule, an asymmetric lesion is noted, that is, one shoulder suffers (in our case, the left).

The initial stage of the development of the disease is characterized by moderate pain, which occurs only during physical exertion (raising the arm, rotational movement). With the course of the development of pathology, the pain becomes permanent, arising in the supine 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 is the cause of swelling, limitation of joint mobility.

Treatment depends on the severity of the pathology. You can eliminate pain with an anesthetic, while in the presence of an inflammatory process, other drugs are used. Severe cases of the course of the disease require immobilization of the hand. They also do physiotherapy.

Prevention of pain in the left shoulder

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

You should organize the right diet. So, it is necessary to use a minimum of meat delicacies, sweet foods and other foods with a high protein content.

It is also necessary not to overwork yourself with excessive physical exertion: they should be optimal, to the best of their ability. An excellent choice would be yoga, swimming, a physiotherapy complex, as well as other activities that do not require a lot of physical activity.

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

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

Summing up, it is worth noting that any discomfort in the shoulder area should not be overlooked, as serious complications can come. Timely contacting a specialist and taking the necessary measures will help prevent the transition of the disease to a severe stage and a chronic course.

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

The human body is unique. Each organ, joint and even cell performs certain functions. If something fails, there is pain. These symptoms indicate the body is sick. With the discomfort that has arisen, it protects the injured area of \u200b\u200bthe body from excessive damage. That is why these signs cannot be ignored. They should be treated very carefully. What pathologies can be indicated by pain in the shoulder joint of the left hand? Let's figure it out.

Causes of pathology

The shoulder is a fairly complex joint of the human body. It is endowed with maximum functionality. The presence of this or that pathology in it not only disrupts the functioning of the joint, but also leads to swelling, inflammation and destruction of the articular bag, 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 he fails. A person experiences severe pain in the shoulder joint.

The causes of this pathology may lie in developing ailments:

Tendinitis. Or inflammation of the tendons. The reason for this pathology lies in intense loads. During heavy physical exertion, the tendons interact very closely with the surface of the joint. As a result, a person experiences irritation and pain.
Biceps tendinitis. 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 probing the damaged area or any movement, the sensations intensify. If the ligaments of the shoulder joint are completely torn, a globular swelling is visually noticeable.
Bursitis. This disease often accompanies tendonitis. Pathology also occurs after prolonged overvoltage. But bursitis leads to joint swelling.
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 persons older than 30 years. Pain discomfort appears suddenly. He is quite strong in his appearance. Any position of the hand does not lead to its decrease. It becomes difficult for a person to remove a limb even 30 centimeters from the body.
Violation of the formation of the articulation at the genetic level.
Joint injury. Young people, especially athletes, sometimes have a dislocation that causes pain in the shoulder joint. The causes of pathology in the elderly are usually associated with degenerative processes.
Neoplasms.
Overstretching of the ligaments of the shoulder. Often the phenomenon occurs in bodybuilders. The joint in pathology becomes unstable. Most exercises cause difficulties for the athlete. Sometimes even a tear of the cartilaginous ring is diagnosed.
Shoulder periarthrosis. Pain in the shoulder joint of the left hand or right hand is the main symptom of the disease. Over time, the discomfort increases. And it leads to the fact that the patient cannot 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 the discs of the cervical spine.
Neurogenic pathology. A phenomenon in which the sensitivity of the upper limbs, neck is disturbed.
Arthritis, arthrosis.
Diseases of the internal organs (heart, liver, lungs and others).

Serious pathologies of internal organs

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

Angina. With the disease, the pain radiates to the shoulder, neck, arm. Typical symptoms of the classic picture are compressive, pressing pain in the sternum, shortness of breath after exercise. But sometimes the disease proceeds differently. The patient feels only pain in the shoulder joint of the left arm and in the neck. At the same time, discomfort may not be felt in the hand, tingling in the heart is not observed. Only an ECG will reveal ischemia.
Myocardial infarction. Classical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, the occurrence of unbearable burning pains in the sternum, unfortunately, are not always found. Very often, a burning sensation in the shoulders and neck signals a pathology. As a rule, it is the left shoulder joint that worries. The disease accompanies the patient's anxiety, difficulty breathing, the appearance of perspiration on the forehead.

joint fracture

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

the 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 localization;
bruising, swelling;
shoulder deformity, sometimes shortening of the arm can be observed;
possible violation of the sensitivity of the hand, fingers;
limitation of limb mobility;
during the palpation of the damaged area, a crunch is sometimes heard.

Treatment of pathology

With these symptoms, it is unlikely that anyone will self-medicate. But still it is worth recalling 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 put a splint or bandage on the shoulder joint. The duration of wearing varies depending on the pathology. As a rule, it is 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, rods.

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

Crick

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

The patient may experience various degrees of damage:

Shoulder 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;
the mobility of the joint is limited - it is impossible to lift and move the limb to the side;
the joint swells and may increase in size;
the presence of bruising and bruising;
shoulder deformity;
when moving, you can hear crackling and crunching;
tingling, numbness in the joint.

Treatment Methods

As a rule, they include:

Cold compress. This procedure is acceptable on the first day. However, you should be aware 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 shoulder brace or orthopedic splint. The device provides fixation in the desired position of the joint. As a rule, 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. Often prescribed drugs "Ibuprofen", "Ketorolac", "Naproxen".
External funds. For severe pain, it is recommended to apply the ointment. Pain in the shoulder joint is significantly reduced after exposure to drugs with analgesic properties. The most effective ointments or creams: Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Voltaren. The product must be applied in a thin layer 2-3 times a day on the damaged area.

The question of surgical intervention is raised only if medical treatment has been ineffective. Sometimes operations are done on athletes. This intervention allows you to fully restore the mobility of the shoulder and muscle strength.

Pain in osteochondrosis

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

Such symptoms are provoked by bone growths that occur 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 a rather complicated task, an integrated approach is needed:

Medical treatment. Initially, patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen. If the pain lasts long enough, additional pain medications may be recommended: Pentalgin, Tramadol. In the complex, antidepressants can also be prescribed: Fluoxetine, Amitriptyline. In addition, chondroprotectors are prescribed to patients: Teraflex, Chondroxide, Structum.
Physical education. An obligatory component of treatment is gymnastics. Exercises contribute to the restoration of damaged discs, significantly improve the mobility of the cervical region, and strengthen muscle tissue.
rehabilitation measures. After pain relief, patients are prescribed a variety of procedures: magnetotherapy, massage, laser therapy, mud therapy, electrophoresis, traction traction, swimming in the pool.

Varieties 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 the elderly.
Rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is systemic. The inflammatory process covers the synovial membrane of the joint. Pathology affects people of any age.
Post-traumatic arthritis. The disease develops against the background of injuries received - displacement, cracks or muscle rupture. Refers to the varieties of osteoarthritis.

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

Methods of dealing with pathology

How to treat the shoulder joint with arthritis? Initially, doctors use physiotherapy, accompanied by medication, and physical education. The therapy package includes:

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

In case of ineffectiveness of such therapy, surgeons resort to surgical intervention. In this case, either a complete replacement of the damaged joint with a prosthesis or a partial one is considered.

The development of arthrosis

This is a chronic disease. With arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the patient's condition slowly worsens. There is degradation of the articular cartilage and surrounding tissues. The articulation surface loses its smoothness. In some places it is covered with osteophytes or salt spikes.

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 is swollen. Surrounding tissues turn red, become hot. Sometimes a crunch 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, the patient is recommended stronger medications: Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Nimesulide. These funds allow you to stop the pain syndrome.
intraarticular blockade. In severe cases of the disease, special preparations are injected into the joint cavity. Often used hormonal drugs "Hydrocortisone", "Prednisolone", "Kenalog". They provide a good anti-inflammatory effect.
Chondroprotectors. Helps restore joint tissues. The most preferred drugs are: "Teraflex", "Artra", "Artro-Active".

Update: October 2018

Anatomy

Below we will return to individual details of the anatomy. Now let's talk briefly.

Muscles are attached to the humerus, and diverge from it in different directions. They form the rotator cuff of the shoulder:

the deltoid muscle is responsible for shoulder abduction;
subscapular - for the rotation of the shoulder inward;
supraspinatus - for lifting and abduction to the side;
small round and infraspinatus - rotate the shoulder outward.

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. These include inflammation of the capsule that rotates the arm of the muscle cuff, articular bag, cartilage on articulating bones, muscles, tendons or the entire joint, some non-inflammatory diseases of these same structures.
Pathologies with extra-articular localization. This group includes inflammation of a sensitive nerve fiber (neuritis) or the entire large nerve, which is part of the brachial plexus (plexitis), chest disease, heart disease or digestive tract, whose inflammation or tumor "gives" to the shoulder area.

Consider each of the causes of pain in detail, starting with the first group of pathologies.

Tendinitis (inflammation of a muscle tendon)

Common features of any tendinitis are:

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

supraspinatus tendonitis

A complication of untreated tendinitis is an incomplete rupture of this tendon.

Tendinitis of the biceps tendon

Symptoms of this tendonitis:

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

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

Tendonitis of the infraspinatus muscle

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

Rotator cuff inflammation

Here, pain in the shoulder joint is found when raising the arm up (when you need to get something or when sipping).

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

Here, the pain in the shoulder joint is acute, occurs for no apparent reason, limits any hand movements, does not allow an outsider (for example, a doctor) to make passive movements with a sick hand.

Capsulitis (inflammation of the joint capsule)

Capsulitis of the shoulder joint is more common in women 40-50 years old, who had to lie down for a long time without moving their arm in full.

Arthritis - inflammation of the internal structures of the joint

The disease develops due to:

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

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

The symptoms of arthritis cannot be ignored. This:

severe pain in the shoulder joint;
it does not pass at rest, but increases with movement, especially when trying to put a hand behind the head, lift it up or take it to the side;
the pain is aggravated by palpation (palpation by a doctor) or a light touch of the joint;
it is impossible to raise a hand above a conditional line drawn horizontally through the axis of the shoulder joint (that is, above the shoulder girdle);
the joint is deformed due to edema;
the joint may become hot to the touch;
body temperature rises.

Arthrosis is a non-inflammatory lesion of the tissues of the joint

The symptoms of arthritis are as follows:

sharp pain in the shoulder, which occurs with any movement of the arm, but passes at rest;
maximum pain - when lifting weights with this hand;
it hurts when you touch the collarbone and the bottom of the scapula;
poor mobility in the joint gradually develops: it no longer hurts, but it is impossible to raise your hand, throw your hand behind your back;
when moving in the shoulder, a crunch or noise is heard.

Shoulder injuries

Deposition of calcium salts in the tissues of tendons or ligaments

The symptoms of this pathology are as follows:

constant shoulder pain
does not disappear at rest;
aggravated by raising the arm or moving it to the side;
its intensity increases with time.

Diseases of the spine

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

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

will manifest as pain in the shoulder joint.

For diseases of the spine, the following is characteristic:

pains occur in the shoulder and arm: they spread from the shoulder joint to the elbow, and sometimes to the hand;
aggravated by turning and tilting the head;
along with pain, the sensitivity of the hand is disturbed: it freezes or, conversely, feels hot;
according to the patient, numbness or tingling is observed.

Here is the pain in the shoulder:

appears abruptly, for no apparent reason;
increases gradually;
occurs at night;
aggravated by raising the arm, as well as attempts to bring it behind the back, lay it behind the head or take it to the side;
during the day, at rest, the pain subsides;
localized pain in the shoulders and neck ;
after a few months, even without treatment, the pain syndrome disappears, but the joint loses its mobility: it becomes impossible to raise the arm above the horizontal line or put it behind the back.

Shoulder nerve neuritis

Shoulder 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: fracture of the collarbone, sprain or dislocation of the shoulder joint;
birth trauma - in a newborn baby;
long stay in a forced position: with complex and lengthy surgery on the organs of the chest or abdomen, with the features of professional activity that require a long position with an abducted or raised arm;
vibrations;
wearing crutches;
a common infectious disease (diseases caused by viruses of the herpetic group are especially capable of this: mononucleosis, herpes zoster, herpes simplex, chickenpox);
hypothermia of the shoulder area;
as a result of a violation of metabolic processes in the body: with, gout).

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

severe pain radiating to the shoulder, but localized in the area above or below the collarbone;
aggravated by pressure on the area below the collarbone;
becomes stronger when moving the hand;
characterized as shooting, breaking, drilling 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, may even acquire a bluish color;
the brush may swell;
"goosebumps" that "run" along the inside of the arm, but more in its lower part;
the hand does not feel hot / cold, pain.

Other reasons

narrowing syndrome (impingement syndrome);
cervical-brachial plexopathy;
myofascial syndrome;
myelopathy.

Reflected pain

In the shoulder can give pain in diseases of the internal organs:

Angina pectoris is a condition where 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, whether it is walking against the wind, lifting weights or climbing stairs, it does not have to be a movement with the left hand. The pain goes away at rest. May be accompanied by a feeling of interruptions in the work of the heart. .
It manifests itself in a similar way to angina pectoris myocardial infarction. But here the main symptom - even if the site 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, there may be a loss of consciousness. The pain is very severe, requiring emergency medical attention. .
Pain in the shoulders and shoulder blades is typical for inflammation of the pancreas. In this case, the pain is severe, radiates 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 chronic exacerbation. In this case, nausea, a bitter taste in the mouth, and fever are usually noted.
Upper lobe pneumonia may also be accompanied by pain in the shoulder from the diseased lung. At the same time, there is weakness, lack of air, cough - dry or wet. The temperature often rises.
Rheumatic polymyalgia. If pain in the shoulder appeared after a person had a sore throat or, especially if before that there was an increase and soreness of the knee joint, most likely he developed a complication - rheumatism. A pain syndrome 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

Consider the characteristics of pain that can develop in any shoulder joint:

When it hurts	What is this
When raising the arm forward or moving it to the side	supraspinatus tendonitis
When rotating the arm around its axis towards the thumb, if the elbow is pressed to the body	Tendonitis of the infraspinatus muscle
When rotating the arm in the shoulder around its axis towards the little finger, when the elbow is pressed to the body	Inflamed muscles located in the subscapular region
Pain in the front of the hand when the forearm is turned towards the little finger It hurts to open the door with the key Shoulder pain gets worse when lifting weights When bending the arm at the elbow, the shoulder hurts Pain pierces 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 hurts only when lifting weights, even small ones.	Inflamed deltoid tendon
Pain when moving arms back	Tendonitis or sprain of the supraspinatus tendon
Shoulder hurts when arm is raised vertically	Arthritis or arthrosis of a small joint between the process of the scapula and the collarbone, when the muscles surrounding it become inflamed
Shoulder hurts when trying to comb, style hair, throw hands behind head or rotate them around the axis towards the thumb	Stretched infraspinatus or teres minor tendon
The pain is aching, appears only when you put your hands behind your back, when you try to get an object from your back pocket. It hurts to lie to the side of the little finger	Injured (stretched or inflamed) subscapularis tendon
Shoulder and neck pain	arthritis osteochondrosis myalgia plexitis of the shoulder joint arthrosis arthritis
Shoulder and arm pain	Intervertebral hernia tendinitis bursitis humeroscapular periarthritis
Pain from elbow to shoulder	Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis osteochondrosis bursitis inflammation of the cartilage 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
Shoulder and back pain	This indicates muscle spasm due to a long stay in an uncomfortable position, the same type of muscle work, hypothermia, compression syndrome.
Shoulder and collarbone pain	Clavicle fracture infringement and inflammation of the roots of the spinal nerves brachial plexus neuralgia humeroscapular periarthritis

If your right shoulder hurts

Pain in the right shoulder is typical for:

bursitis;
tendonitis of the biceps;
joint injuries;
calcification of periarticular tissues;
humeroscapular periarthritis;
right-sided pneumonia;
exacerbation of gallstone disease.

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

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

Pain in left shoulder

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 the intensity of pain

Consider which disease can cause one or another subjective characteristic of shoulder pain.

Strong pain

This is how pain is described when:

Stretching of the tendons of the shoulder. Then the person remembers that on the eve he endured heavy things or could sleep in an uncomfortable position.
Shoulder dislocation. In this case, you can also remember the episode when someone pulled his hand or had to grab onto 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 that case, the joint turns red, deformed, it is very painful to touch it.
Bursitis. The pain occurs suddenly, does not allow the person himself or the doctor conducting the examination to move his hand.
Tendinitis. Pathology is manifested by pain when performing various movements, which depends on which tendon is inflamed. Symptoms of the main tendinitis are described above.
Intervertebral hernia. At the same time, pain is not only in the shoulder, but also in the neck and face. The hand freezes, goosebumps run along it, it does not feel cold, warm.
Diseases of the lungs, liver or spleen. They are described above.

Sharp pain

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

sprain or rupture of ligaments, fracture - if this pain was preceded by an injury;

arthrosis: pain accompanies any movement, accompanied by a crunch;

humeroscapular periarthritis. Pain occurs at night, gradually increases, increases with pain;

disease of internal organs: hepatitis, cholecystitis, pneumonia, myocardial infarction.

Blunt pain

This is how they describe:

tendinitis. In this case, the pain increases with movement;
humeroscapular periarthritis. Pain is also related to movement;
diseases of the abdominal organs;
infringement of the intervertebral hernia of the lower cervical or upper thoracic region;
myocardial infarction.

Burning pain

The syndrome of such characteristics is inherent in diseases of the spine. Here the pain increases with active movements of the hand, but if the limb is fixed, the pain disappears.

In addition to pain, the sensitivity of the hand is disturbed, “goosebumps” periodically run along it. The strength of the muscles of the upper limb decreases. She can get cold.

Shooting pain

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

Pain with numbness of the arm

This symptom is accompanied by:

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

What to do if you have shoulder pain

In order for the treatment of pain in the shoulder joint of the arm to be correct, it is necessary to determine its cause. First of all, they begin with a consultation with a therapist, whose examination is aimed at excluding life-threatening pathologies, such as myocardial infarction, acute cholecystitis, pneumonia, and 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.

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

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 take painkillers only:

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

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 diseased joint:

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

Independently - before consulting a therapist - you can not take any folk remedies, perform a shoulder massage or exercise therapy. All this is assigned by a specialist.

How to cure shoulder pain?

Thank you

Causes of pain

The shoulder joint is one of the most complex in the entire body. Nature endowed it with maximum functionality. However, improper use disrupts its work, entails inflammation, swelling, destruction of the articular bag and even violation of the integrity of the tendons. Like any other mechanism, the shoulder joint works even with improper use for some time, after which it “breaks” - a person experiences shoulder pain, the mobility of the joint decreases.

How does pain develop?

The source of pain in the upper parts of the shoulder can be a disease of the neck. Similar pain covers the entire upper limb to the fingers. Pain aggravates during head movement, often combined with a partial violation of sensitivity. In such cases, during the diagnosis, hernias of the cervical or thoracic spine are often detected. The properties of the affected discs worsen, the gaps between them shorten, the nerve endings are pinched, the person feels pain. At the same time, swelling of the tissues develops at the site of nerve compression, they are compressed more intensively and hurt even more.

Capsulitis - a fairly rare occurrence. With this disease, the patient experiences pain in the shoulder, the difficulty of moving the arm behind the back, lifting it up. Symptoms develop slowly.

Cuff dysfunction happens after uncharacteristic handwork, for example, finishing work on the ceiling. The patient does not feel pain immediately, but after a day when trying to raise his hand.

Tendobursitis - This is a disease in which the articular bag becomes inflamed. In this disease, the tendons of the muscles become calcified. The pain is acute, hand movements are significantly difficult, the patient complains of sharp pains in the entire limb from the neck to the fingertips.

Diseases that cause shoulder pain:
1. Inflammation of the tendons of the joint - tendinitis . The reason for it is too intense stress on the joint. During physical work, such as sawing wood, the tendons interact closely with the surface of the joint, which causes pain and irritation.
2. Biceps tendonitis - This is a flexor muscle located on the upper part of the shoulder. With this disease, the shoulder constantly hurts, and the pain intensifies when the muscle is probed and when the limb moves. If the tendon of the muscle is torn completely, you can notice a swelling in the form of a ball.
3. Bursitis - This is a frequent companion of tendinitis, which also appears with prolonged overexertion. But with bursitis, the joint swells up.
4. Salt deposits . This phenomenon manifests itself when raising the hand up. With the deposition of salts, the ligaments become rigid. Most often, salts are deposited under the collarbone and scapula. Such disturbances are referred to as "collision syndrome". They are found in people over 30 years of age. The pain appears suddenly, it is strong enough and does not go away with any position of the hand. It is difficult to move the arm away from the body even 30 centimeters. But in some cases, the deposition of salts does not manifest itself in any way and is detected only with x-rays.
5. Genetic disorder of joint formation .
6. Joint injury . For example, in young people or athletes, a recurrent form of shoulder dislocation is often observed. In people of mature and advanced age, injuries to these tissues are usually the result of age-related degenerative processes.
7. neoplasm .
8. Shoulder overstretch . This phenomenon is typical for bodybuilders. With overstretching, the joint becomes unstable, so the athlete cannot do many exercises. The ring of cartilage may also rupture.

9. The pain gives in diseases of internal organs (liver, heart, pneumonia, sciatica, tumors in the chest).
10. Shoulder-shoulder periarthrosis . Shoulder pain is the main symptom of this disease. The pain intensifies over time so much that the patient cannot sleep at night. It can be very diverse in nature from dull to burning.
11. tendon rupture .
12. Neurogenic pathology in which the sensitivity of the neck and upper limbs is disturbed.
13. Herniated or protruded discs of the cervical spine .
14. Arthritis, arthrosis of the joint.

By the direction in which there is stiffness of movement, the doctor can determine which part of the joint is affected:

If it hurts when moving the arm to the side and forward, then the supraspinal tendon is affected,
If it hurts when turning the arm along its axis to the outside with the elbow fixed at the side, then the infraspinal tendon is affected,
If in the same position it hurts when turning the arm to the inside, the subscapular tendon is affected,
If it hurts in the biceps area while moving the lower arm inward, it may be a biceps lesion.

In the arm and shoulder - a symptom of humeroscapular periarthritis

The disease is an inflammation of the capsule and tendons of the shoulder joint. At the same time, both the cartilage and the joint itself remain intact. Its main symptoms are pain in the shoulder. Periarthritis and osteochondrosis account for 80% of all diseases that cause shoulder pain. This is a very common disease that affects both sexes equally often. Usually, signs of the disease appear after a shoulder injury or overload with unusual activities. The disease is insidious in that from the moment of the precedent to the appearance of the first symptoms of malaise, it can take from three to seven days.

In some cases, diseases of the internal organs are the cause of periarthritis, for example, the left side may be affected due to myocardial infarction. The primary disease impairs blood circulation in the joint area, the tendon fibers that do not have nourishment become brittle and crack, swell, and inflammation develops.

The right side is affected in diseases of the liver.

A fairly common occurrence is periarthritis in women who have had their mammary gland removed, because during the intervention, blood circulation is disturbed not only in the chest, but also in the tissues adjacent to it. In addition, vessels or nerves may be damaged during the intervention.
Pain can be both weak and appear only with certain movements, or very sharp, in addition, the patient cannot put his hand behind his back, move, overcoming resistance. Depending on the severity of the disease, it can be cured in a month or almost impossible to cure when it comes to a chronic process. In the chronic form of the disease, the shoulder is literally stone. But such a disease sometimes, after a few years, goes away by itself.

On the neck and shoulder

Pain in the shoulder and neck is often combined with weakness, discoloration of the skin ( if circulation is impaired), swelling and change in shape. The causes of this pain can be both minor and very dangerous. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor.

Wrong posture. This is the most common cause of pain in both the neck and shoulder. If the spine is not in the correct position, and the shoulders stoop, ligaments and muscles act under increased stress,
Rupture of muscles, tendons or ligaments,
Degenerative processes in the spine lead to impaired innervation,
Malignant or benign neoplasm
Uncomfortable sleeping position
Muscle overload.

In the muscles of the shoulder - this is myalgia

Signs of myalgia: dull, aching pain in the muscles, sometimes acute pain, decreased range of motion.

Causes of myalgia: uncharacteristic or very strong physical exertion, hypothermia, stretching or tearing of fibers, viral infection.
With myalgia, you should give the muscle a rest for a couple of days, rub an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory local remedy ( ointment or cream). If the pain is caused only by overworking the muscle, but it is intact, you can slowly stretch it, but very carefully.

In the event that the cause of myalgia is a viral disease, the pain will disappear immediately after recovery. If the pain in the muscles of the shoulder is the result of a serious injury, the help of a specialist is likely to be needed.

If after five days the pain does not go away, you should definitely visit a doctor.
More severe injuries must be ruled out. It may be necessary to undergo treatment with muscle relaxants.

In the shoulder joint - arthrosis

Shoulder arthrosis is a chronic disease. The patient's condition is slowly deteriorating. With arthrosis, degradation of the cartilage of the joint, as well as nearby tissues, occurs. Joint surfaces lose their smoothness, sometimes covered with osteophytes ( salt spikes). These processes are very slow. But shoulder pain is the first sign of osteoarthritis. At times, the pain is relieved, after physical work it worsens, the range of motion decreases. All tissues of the joint are covered with inflammation, then the joint swells, the tissues surrounding it turn red and become hot.

Not far from the shoulder joint is the nerve plexus of the shoulder, which suffers from prolonged inflammation. If osteophytes have already formed on the joint, a crunch is sometimes heard during movement, movements are painful and heavy. Despite the slow progression, the patient's condition gradually worsens, the hand moves worse and worse. If the disease proceeds for many years, a persistent deterioration in the range of motion is formed ( contracture).

Arthritis in the shoulder joint

Three forms of arthritis can develop in the shoulder joint:
1. Osteoarthritis - this disease develops during degenerative age-related processes in the tissues, when the articular cartilage ceases to protect the joint surfaces from rubbing against each other. The disease is more typical for people after fifty years.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis - the disease is systemic, inflammation covers the synovial membrane of the joint, can be in people of any age, and always symmetrically.
3. Post-traumatic arthritis - one of the varieties of osteoarthritis that develops after injuries ( displacement, fracture of a joint, or rupture of a muscle).

Shoulder pain is the most obvious and first sign of arthritis, it increases with movement and gets worse over time. The condition worsens when the weather changes. In addition, the amplitude of hand movement decreases, the patient cannot comb his hair or remove a book from the upper shelves. Sometimes, when moving the arm, the patient hears a click.

In the later stages of the disease, the joint hurts at night, making it difficult to sleep.
The disease is diagnosed by x-ray. Treatment can be carried out as conservative methods ( medicines, therapeutic exercises, warming up) and operational.

In the chest and shoulder - signs of pneumonia or pleurisy

The pleura is a two-layer membrane that envelops the lungs and the chest cavity from the inside. Inflammation is not a very rare disease. Symptoms of pleurisy is acute chest pain, radiating to the shoulder and neck. Pain increases during coughing or deep breathing, since at this time the pleural membranes move relative to each other.

The breathing of such patients is rapid and superficial. Pleurisy is more common in the fairer sex. Sometimes the pain even radiates to the abdomen.
In some cases, pleurisy is combined with pneumonia, in which case the chest hurts achingly and dull.

With osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis of the cervical region is a very common disease that affects both sexes equally. More often, osteochondrosis develops in people who are in the same position for a long time, moving their heads a little ( office workers), as well as performing the same head movements.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical region, the work of the autonomic nervous system, blood circulation is disrupted, and pain syndrome also appears. Most often, the neck hurts, but often the pain radiates to the shoulder. Pain is provoked by bone growths that appear on the lateral surfaces of the cervical vertebrae. These growths injure the nerve endings and cause pain. The more affected the spine, the more intense the pain. According to which parts of the neck or shoulder hurt, the doctor can determine which vertebrae are affected by the disease.
So, pain in the shoulder girdle indicates damage to the third and fourth cervical vertebrae.

Shoulder, shoulder girdle and neck hurt if the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae are affected. The shoulder may become numb in its outer part.
If the disease develops between the fifth and sixth vertebrae, the shoulder and forearm hurt, the pain radiates to the 1st and 2nd fingers of the upper limb. The sensitivity of the fingers may be impaired.
The back surface of the hand hurts if the pathology is located between the sixth and seventh vertebrae.

If a hernia has formed on the discs, the pain is very intense and is found in attacks. They get stronger as you move.
Diagnosis is made by examining and questioning the patient. To clarify it, an x-ray, MRI is performed. It is impossible to recover completely from osteochondrosis.

Treatment

If shoulder pain is caused by a slight sprain or awkward position, the following steps can help relieve it:
1. Sleep on a hard but comfortable surface.
2. Try to move the affected arm less.
3. In the first hours of the appearance of pain, apply ice to the shoulder, from the second day you can do warm compresses and rubbing.
4. Massage the sore spot using heated oil in a circular motion.
5. Take a pain reliever based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.
6. If the neck is affected, a corset will help, making it immobile.
7. The hand should not be completely immobilized, as this can lead to the development of contractures.
8. Do physical therapy. When it comes to exercise, it's best to talk to your doctor. You should spend no more than 20 minutes on charging so as not to overwork the sore joint. In addition, massage and acupuncture can help.
9. So that hand movements do not cause severe pain, you should choose the most comfortable positions, and the easiest way to do this is in a bathtub filled with water.

Exercises

1. Tilt your head to the right shoulder and fix the position for 15 seconds. Slowly raise your head straight, then tilt to your left shoulder.
2. Slowly turn your head to the right and fix the position for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
3. Raise your shoulders, lower them, move forward, take back. Lower your head as low as possible, rest your chin on your chest, tilt your head back.
4. Circular movements of the shoulders back and forth. Repeat in each direction at least 10 times.

Ointments

Depending on the cause of shoulder pain, ointments can be used to improve blood circulation, relieve pain, inflammation, relieve swelling, and accelerate tissue repair.

Most ointments have either a warming effect or a cooling effect, they relieve inflammation and pain. Such remedies are good if shoulder pain is the result of a minor injury.

Warming creams include: red pepper extract, methyl salicylate. These drugs should not be applied immediately after an injury. After all, immediately after the injury, the affected area needs to be cooled.

A few days after the injury, a warming cream can be applied, as well as for pain caused by osteochondrosis, myositis, bursitis, chronic arthritis or arthrosis.

Cooling agents can be applied to the injured shoulder immediately after a sprain or bruise. These drugs often contain essential oils, menthol, alcohol, analgesic components that thin the blood.
With bursitis and tendovaginitis, anti-inflammatory drugs, including those with iodine, can be used.

Folk remedies

1. Compress with honey: Lubricate the sore shoulder with honey and cover with a plastic bag. Leave overnight. Do five to ten days in a row.
2. Collect pine cones ( young) and needles, pour 200 ml of water at room temperature for ten minutes. Put on fire for 30 minutes, leave in a thermos to infuse overnight. Use for taking anesthetic baths. The duration of the procedure is from 20 minutes. For one bath, one and a half liters of extract should be made.
3. Take a few copper coins, hold over an open fire, then clean a little with sandpaper. Find the most painful places and stick coins there with a band-aid. Wear until the pain disappears completely.

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.