Shoulder discomfort comes in many different forms, but it can also present in a number of different areas of the joint. Some people experience shoulder symptoms on the top of their shoulder. Others feel pain in the front or back of their shoulder. Sometimes it presents along the side of the shoulder. The location of your symptoms helps a shoulder specialist figure out what’s going on inside the joint, and in today’s blog, we take a closer look at some common shoulder conditions based on the location of your discomfort.
Shoulder Injuries By Region Of Symptoms
The following is just a general look at conditions that commonly present with symptoms in specific areas of the shoulder. To get a true understanding of what you’re up against, visit a shoulder specialist in your area who can get a look at the area in person. Here’s a closer look at some common shoulder issues based on symptom location.
- Top Of Shoulder Pain – Pain that is isolated to the top of the shoulder is commonly linked to an issue with your acromioclavicular (AC) joint. This is the point where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. Overuse or trauma to the AC joint can lead to sprains or joint separations, leading to pain, loss of flexibility, swelling and tenderness. Inflammation of the tissues in the area can also lead to impingement syndrome, where tissues are pinched during certain movements as a result of lack of space in the area. Rest or activity avoidance and physical therapy exercises can help calm AC joint issues and restore normal function in the shoulder joint.
- Front Of Shoulder Pain – Pain in the front of the shoulder tends to be tied to an issue with the rotator cuff tendons or the biceps tendon. The most common diagnoses for persistent front shoulder pain include rotator cuff tendonitis, bursitis or frozen shoulder. These conditions typically develop in athletes who do a lot of throwing or individuals who perform repetitive overhead motions. Oftentimes issues tied to front of shoulder pain can be overcome with the help of conservative care techniques and an emphasis on physical therapy.
- Side Of Shoulder Pain – Pain on the side of your shoulder can be a little trickier to diagnose, so again it’s helpful to visit a specialist who can visualize your arm in person. Pain that develops on the outer side of the shoulder can be caused by osteoarthritis, rotator cuff injuries or as a result of frozen shoulder. Many side sleepers notice that discomfort is at its peak when lying down at night, and this can make it difficult to achieve restful and restorative sleep. Reaching motions also tend to cause symptoms to flare up, but discomfort in this area also usually responds well to a non-operative course of treatment.
- Back Of Shoulder Pain – Discomfort that seems to exude from the back of your shoulder can also be caused by a variety of issues. Sometimes it’s simply muscle strain or prolonged tissue tension as a result of poor seated posture for an extended period. This is especially common in desk workers or those who live a rather sedentary life. Rotator cuff problems can also present with symptoms on the backside of the shoulder, or it could be the result of an anatomical issue like scapular dyskinesis. Nerve impingement could also be a potential cause, especially if symptoms seem to radiate down from the neck or along your arm.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial if you’re hoping to move forward with the right treatment plan, so recognize where symptoms are developing and explain this to your care provider, as it will help them develop the right care plan. If you’re hoping to figure out what’s causing your shoulder discomfort, give Dr. Holloway and his team a call today at (865) 410-7887.
