Shoulder pain is a symptom rather than a condition in itself. There are a number of causes behind shoulder pain, which can be either severe or ongoing (lasting more than two weeks).
The most common causes of shoulder pain include shoulder disorders such as:
- Frozen shoulder.
- Rotator cuff disorders.
- Shoulder instability.
These disorders are explained in this article, but it does not cover acromioclavicular joint disorders, glenohumeral joint arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fracture (broken bone). See Useful links for information about arthritis, osteoarthritis and broken bones.
If you have severe or ongoing shoulder pain, it is important to get the correct diagnosis from your GP. You can then receive effective treatment for your pain.
In most cases, shoulder disorders improve with time by following the relevant treatment advice.
Continue to next section: Causes of shoulder pain