Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Lift My Arm To The Side?
You lift your arm out to the side, perhaps to grab something off a shelf or put your hand through the sleeve of your jacket, and feel a sharp, pinching pain in your shoulder. At first, it’s easy to brush off, but after the same type of movement triggers discomfort a few more times, you start to wonder: Are these normal aches and pains or something I should be concerned about?
The answer is: It depends.
Pain when lifting your arm to the side is a shoulder symptom that can point to a variety of underlying causes – some minor and others requiring further evaluation and treatment. In this post, Dr. Kruse and our experienced clinical team take a closer look at the most common reasons this type of shoulder pain occurs and provide practical advice on what to watch for and how to know when booking an appointment with a specialist is the right move.
Key Takeaways
- Pain when lifting your arm to the side can have many underlying causes – some minor and others requiring further evaluation and treatment.
- Common reasons this type of pain occurs include tendon inflammation, bursitis, and mechanical issues like shoulder impingement.
- Symptoms that persist, worsen, or affect your daily activities may indicate a more significant underlying problem.
- Early evaluation by Dr. Kruse and our experienced clinical team can help prevent minor issues from developing into more complex shoulder conditions.
Common Reasons Your Shoulder Hurts When Raising Your Arm Sideways
The motion of lifting your arm out to the side places several structures in a relatively tight space within the shoulder joint. When any of them become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, the movement can quickly become painful.
The following eight conditions, all of which we regularly diagnose and treat at our clinic, commonly contribute to shoulder pain that intensifies when raising the arm to the side:
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Or Small Tears
Irritation or injury of the rotator cuff muscles and tendons is one of the most frequent underlying reasons why patients experience pain when lifting their arm to the side. What begins as mild inflammation may progress to a small tear or more extensive rotator cuff injury without proper care.
This type of rotator cuff pain is often felt along the outer portion of the shoulder and may also present as top of shoulder pain when lifting your arm. Other signs you may have a rotator cuff tear may include difficulty lifting the arm, pain at rest or when sleeping, and a popping or crackling sensation in the shoulder joint.
Shoulder Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis occurs when small, fluid-filled sacs in the shoulder joint called bursae become inflamed, often leading to shoulder pain that worsens with movements such as raising the arm. Bursitis commonly develops alongside other shoulder conditions, like rotator cuff irritation.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement syndrome refers to the pinching of soft tissues in the shoulder joint, such as tendons or bursae, between the upper arm bone (humerus) and the top of the shoulder blade (acromion). The condition can cause a sharp, pinching sensation in the shoulder, especially when reaching the arm overhead or lifting it out to the side.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by stiffness in the affected shoulder joint that can last for months or even years without appropriate treatment. Pain when lifting the arm to the side may be present along with other symptoms, like limited range of motion and difficulty with daily activities.
AC Joint Irritation
The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is located at the top of the shoulder and can become irritated with ongoing stress or strain, such as weightlifting or other repetitive upper-body movements. When the AC joint becomes irritated or damaged, movements like lifting the arm overhead or reaching across the body may worsen shoulder pain and discomfort.
Biceps Tendon Irritation
The long head of the biceps tendon, which attaches the biceps muscle to the top rim of the shoulder socket (glenoid), can become inflamed with strain or overuse. This often leads to deep, aching pain in the shoulder with lifting or reaching arm movements.
Explore shoulder anatomy explained in more detail by Dr. Kruse here.
Labral Irritation
The labrum is a thick ring of cartilage that helps deepen the glenoid socket and stabilize the joint. When it becomes irritated or damaged, patients may experience deep shoulder pain that worsens with movements such as raising the arm or weightbearing through the arm. Instability and clicking or catching sensations may also be present.
Neck-Related Pain
Not all shoulder pain actually originates in the shoulder. In some cases, irritation or pinching of nerves in the neck can cause radiating pain that affects the shoulder and upper arm. If pain when raising the arm is accompanied by tingling, numbness, arm weakness, or other changes in sensation, further evaluation of the cervical spine and nerves should be considered.
Can Weakness Or Muscle Imbalances Cause Shoulder Pain When Lifting To The Side?
Yes. In some cases, weakness or imbalances in the muscles that stabilize the shoulder (rotator cuff, deltoid, trapezius, etc.) can lead to pain or discomfort when lifting the arm to the side. If Dr. Kruse identifies muscle weakness or imbalances as an underlying cause of your symptoms, targeted physical therapy and strengthening exercises are often effective in correcting the issue, reducing pain, and restoring the full function of the shoulder joint.
Pain After Overuse Vs. Pain After An Injury: What The Timing Can Tell You
Shoulder pain when raising the arm may just be a sign of normal discomfort and stiffness after a workout. But how can you differentiate between post-workout pain and something more concerning?
When evaluating your shoulder symptoms, keep the following in mind:
- Post-workout pain usually comes on gradually after a workout (sometimes even up to 48 hours later) and typically improves with rest and gentle stretching.
- Intense pain that appears suddenly – especially after a fall or traumatic event – and is associated with inflammation, limited range of motion, and/or a visible deformity is more likely to be an acute injury.
- Pain that persists or worsens over time despite rest and activity modification may also indicate a more serious underlying cause.
For a thorough physical examination and diagnosis of your shoulder pain, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kruse today.
Do Treatments Like Acupuncture Or Ultrasound Therapy Help?
While some patients experience improvements with alternative treatments like ultrasound, acupuncture, or dry needling, the evidence supporting long-term benefits with these types of therapies is limited. At our clinic, Dr. Kruse and our experienced clinical team focus on advanced, evidence-based treatment protocols that address the underlying causes of shoulder pain and lead to the best possible long-term outcomes for our patients.
When To Get Help For Shoulder Pain
Many patients feel a sense of uncertainty about when to seek evaluation and treatment for shoulder pain that increases when they lift their arm. Here are some clear, red-flag signs that you may be experiencing something more significant than a minor injury:
- Pain persists beyond a few days without improvement
- Pain worsens at night or disrupts sleep
- Pain is accompanied by weakness, instability, or a limited range of motion
- Tingling, numbness, weakness, or other unusual sensations are felt in the arm or hand
- Severe pain interferes with daily activities
Book Your Appointment
If lifting your arm to the side causes pain that impacts your daily life, Dr. Kruse and our clinical team are here to provide a comprehensive evaluation, make a definitive diagnosis, relieve pain, and tailor treatment to your needs. Whether you’ll benefit most from working with a physical therapist, receiving corticosteroid injections, or undergoing minimally invasive shoulder surgery in Dallas, the road to recovery begins with booking a consultation. Contact us today to get started!
