5 Common Causes of Chronic Shoulder Pain

If your shoulder pain persists beyond the initial treatment and the expected healing time, it’s called chronic shoulder pain. Chronic conditions usually involve inflammation and tissue deterioration, which can be challenging to treat. 

At Naples Regenerative Institute in Naples, Florida, leading regenerative orthopedic specialist Glenn M. Flanagan, MD, provides the latest treatments for chronic shoulder pain and immobility. 

Regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and prolotherapy boost natural healing and tissue repair, which can lead to better shoulder function and less pain. They might even help you avoid surgery for chronic shoulder pain. 

Are you wondering why your shoulder pain doesn’t seem to improve over time? Read on to learn about five of the most common causes of chronic shoulder pain. 

1. Rotator cuff tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis is the most common cause of shoulder pain and often develops because of overuse of the joint. It occurs when tendons — strands of tissue connecting muscle to bone — become inflamed and irritated. 

Your rotator cuff is the group of tendons and muscles supporting your shoulder. They can become inflamed, leading to rotator cuff tendinitis when they get trapped under the bony part of the joint. 

This condition is also called bursitis because it involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sac in the joint called the bursae. 

You’re likely to experience rotator cuff tendinitis if you often lift heavy objects above shoulder level. 

2. Shoulder arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions that affects joints and causes them to become inflamed, stiff, and painful. The most common type of arthritis affecting the shoulder is called osteoarthritis, which develops over time because of wear-and-tear damage in the joint. 

More specifically, osteoarthritis causes the smooth cartilage inside the joint to wear down. When this happens, the bones rub directly together, which can be painful. 

3. Dislocation

Shoulder dislocation is an injury that can lead to chronic pain in some cases. This happens when the bone of your upper arm separates from the cup-shaped socket part of your shoulder blade. 

A dislocated shoulder can lead to chronic pain because nerves and muscles in your shoulder can be damaged during the incident. After an initial shoulder dislocation, you’re more likely to experience future shoulder dislocations. 

4. Fractures

Chronic shoulder pain is sometimes due to a broken bone in your shoulder. A fractured shoulder can cause stiffness and pain even long after the injury. Most shoulder fractures occur because of an impact, like in a car accident or while playing contact sports. 

A shoulder fracture can happen to one of several bones in the shoulder joint, including the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), or clavicle (collarbone). An X-ray of your shoulder can show which bone is fractured.

5. Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a condition that causes extreme stiffness and shoulder pain. It happens when the capsule of connective tissue around the joint becomes thick and tight, often without a clear cause. 

You’re more likely to experience frozen shoulder if you stop using your shoulder for a time, like if your arm is broken and in a sling. 

Get in touch for chronic shoulder pain care

Once Dr. Flanagan determines the cause of your chronic shoulder pain, he can recommend treatment to improve your range of motion and reduce discomfort. 

Call Naples Regenerative Institute or request an appointment online to explore chronic shoulder pain treatment options today.