Shoulder Pain
The shoulder has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, which makes it versatile — and vulnerable to injury. Whether it's a niggling ache during overhead activities or a shoulder that's given way entirely, there are many management strategies to help.
The shoulder has the greatest range of motion of any joint in the body, which makes it versatile — and vulnerable to injury. Whether it's a niggling ache during overhead activities or a shoulder that's given way entirely, there are many management strategies to help.
Rotator Cuff Related Pain
Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is an umbrella term for pain arising from the rotator cuff and nearby subacromial tissues. It commonly causes pain over the outer shoulder or upper arm with reaching, lifting, overhead activity or lying on that side. Diagnosis is based mainly on the pattern of symptoms, movement and strength testing; tendon or bursal changes on ultrasound or MRI are common even in people without pain, so imaging must be interpreted in context. Education, sensible load modification and progressive shoulder and scapular strengthening are the mainstays of care. Imaging or an injection may be helpful in selected cases, particularly when progress is slow or the diagnosis is uncertain. Marked weakness after an injury warrants prompt assessment for an acute tear. This information is educational and does not replace an individual medical assessment.
Rotator Cuff Related Pain
Rotator cuff-related shoulder pain is an umbrella term for pain arising from the rotator cuff and nearby subacromial tissues. It commonly causes pain over the outer shoulder or upper arm with reaching, lifting, overhead activity or lying on that side. Diagnosis is based mainly on the pattern of symptoms, movement and strength testing; tendon or bursal changes on ultrasound or MRI are common even in people without pain, so imaging must be interpreted in context. Education, sensible load modification and progressive shoulder and scapular strengthening are the mainstays of care. Imaging or an injection may be helpful in selected cases, particularly when progress is slow or the diagnosis is uncertain. Marked weakness after an injury warrants prompt assessment for an acute tear. This information is educational and does not replace an individual medical assessment.