Painful right shoulder is a common musculoskeletal condition, particularly in women over 40. Common causes include rotator cuff and glenohumeral disorders, acromioclavicular joint disease, and referred neck pain. Less common causes include infection, traumatic dislocation, and malignancy. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment, with red flag indicators requiring investigation.
Common causes of right shoulder pain:
Rotator cuff injuries, osteoarthritis, bursitis, hormonal changes, and tendonitis are common right shoulder pain conditions that can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Rotator cuff injuries involve weakening muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder, leading to pain and dysfunction.
- Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes persistent shoulder pain and stiffness.
- Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, causing swelling, redness, and pain.
- Hormonal changes, such as menopause, can cause increased joint pain and stiffness.
- Tendonitis is a dull ache deep in the shoulder, exacerbated by movement.
Anxiety, carrying large weights, working overhead, and incorrect posture can all raise the risk of neck and shoulder pain.
Furthermore, lifting large objects might result in tense muscles and trigger points, which can lead to imbalance and further strain.
These problems can also be exacerbated by emotional and physical stress.
Right Shoulder pain symptoms
- Stiffness: Difficulty moving head and shoulder due to neck and shoulder stiffness.
- Headache: Often accompanied by headaches.
- Numbness or Tingling: Symptoms may appear in the hand, arm, or shoulder.
- Weakness: Nerve compression or muscular strain can cause weakness.
- Limited range of motion: difficulty in specific tasks due to limited range of motion.
- Swelling or Redness: Inflammation can cause swelling or redness.
- Sleeping challenges: Sleeping may be challenging due to neck and shoulder pain.
- Exhaustion: Prolonged pain can lead to energy loss and exhaustion.
Diagnosis
- Medical History: The physician will assess the patient’s past health.
- Physical Examination: The physician may palpate the afflicted area for pain, swelling, or deformity.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be prescribed to assess the area further.
- Blood Testing: Blood testing may be prescribed for infection or inflammation.
- ECG: An ECG may be prescribed to evaluate heart health and identify underlying heart-related disorders.
- Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Investigations and Electromyography (EMG): These procedures can diagnose right-sided neck and shoulder pain associated with nerve dysfunction or injury.
- Referral to a Specialist: If necessary, the doctor may recommend specialized care.
Medical Treatment Options
- Physical therapy: customized exercise programs to improve posture, alignment, range of motion, strength, flexibility, and correct muscle imbalances.
- Pain medication: prescription drugs like muscle relaxants or nerve pain relievers for severe pain.
- Corticosteroid injections: These are direct injections into the affected joint, tendon sheath, bursa, or nerve to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Acupuncture: Thin needles inserted into specific body sites to reduce pain and improve overall health.
Exercises to Alleviate Shoulder Discomfort: Shoulder and Neck Stretches
- Roll your head in a circle, starting with your chin and working your way up to your chest.
- You can roll back, sideways, and in other directions.
- In each direction, repeat.
- Shoulders should be rolled forward, up, back, down, and then reversed.
When Shoulder Pain Requires Medical Attention
You require immediate medical care if you have:
- Unable to move your arm away from your body or use your shoulder.
- Excruciating pain.
- Abrupt edema.
- Warmth and tenderness in the vicinity of the joint.
Read Also: Pain in the Back of the Head and Neck
References
- Akinosho, K., & Weber, W. (2024). A Woman with Right Shoulder Pain. Clinical practice and cases in emergency medicine, 8(3), 302–304.
- Vasiliadis, A. V., Kalitsis, C., Kantas, T., & others. (2020). Inferior dislocation of shoulder complicated with undisplaced greater tuberosity fracture, rupture of the supraspinatus tendon, and brachial plexus injury in the elderly: Case report and literature review. Case Reports in Orthopedics, 2020, Article 9420184.
