{"id":1173176,"date":"2026-06-19T14:37:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T18:37:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/news\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T14:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T18:37:50","slug":"pain-in-shoulder-when-raising-arm-over-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/news\/pain-in-shoulder-when-raising-arm-over-head","title":{"rendered":"Pain in shoulder when raising your arm overhead? Here\u2019s what your body is telling you\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can take you by surprise \u2014 that pain in your shoulder when raising an arm over your head. Maybe you\u2019re reaching for a top-shelf item or waving to a friend, but sudden aching or sharp pain when lifting the arm up is a common complaint, especially in middle-aged and older adults. Causes of pain in the shoulder joint or surrounding area can feel like achiness, soreness or stiffness. There are a few causes, and some may require medical attention.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early diagnosis is key.<br><br>\u201cMany people wait too long to have shoulder pain evaluated, but earlier diagnosis really does lead to better recovery,\u201d said <a href=\"http:\/\/providers.nortonhealthcare.com\/provider\/joshua-j-christensen\/504527\">Joshua M. Christensen, M.D.<\/a> \u201cIf you\u2019re losing sleep over it or noticing significant weakness, or the pain has lasted more than a couple of days \u2014 that\u2019s your signal to come in. We have sophisticated imaging tools that can pinpoint exactly what\u2019s going on, and the sooner we identify the cause, the more options we have for getting you back to full function.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-raise-my-arm\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why does my shoulder hurt when I raise my arm?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shoulder joint is a complex piece of anatomy and includes the joint itself, shoulder blade (scapula), collarbone (clavicle) and the upper arm bone (humerus), as well as surrounding tissue, cartilage and fascia. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow a range of motion in the arm. The rotator cuff tendon connects the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade. Any of these areas can become irritated or injured from many causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overhead movement of the arm can put stress on the joint and result in pain, weakness and reduced range of motion. When you raise your arm overhead, the tendon can become compressed or pinched. If the muscles of the shoulder are weak, the strain on the joint increases. The arc of pain is a classic symptom of compression and tendinitis and causes pain between about 60 degrees and 120 degrees of arm elevation. If you lift your arm to the side and feel pain, that may be a sign of a more serious issue. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-common-causes-of-pain-in-the-shoulder-when-raising-the-arm-overhead\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Common causes of pain in the shoulder when raising the arm overhead<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several possible causes of shoulder pain, including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nortonhealthcare.com\/services-and-conditions\/orthopedics\/services\/arthritis-care\/\">Arthritis<\/a>: swelling, pain or stiffness caused by normal wear and tear or injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sac that cushions bones, tendons and joints<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dislocated shoulder: a painful condition where the top of the upper arm bone (humerus) is forced completely out of the shoulder socket<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Impingement: pressure on the tendons or bursa as they are squeezed between bones\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frozen shoulder: stiffness, pain or reduced movement from thick, tight tissues around the shoulder joint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bone, muscle or soft tissue injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendon in the shoulder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Osteoarthritis: gradual wearing down of the cartilage of the ball and socket joint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-when-to-see-a-doctor-about-shoulder-pain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to see a doctor about shoulder pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people wait too long to have shoulder pain diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Earlier diagnosis leads to better long-term results and can slow or reverse the condition and lead to better quality of life. Often an imaging scan is needed to accurately diagnose these conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit a healthcare provider if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have severe shoulder pain and swelling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have significant weakness in the shoulder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience sleep disruptions due to pain.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience pain for longer than a couple of days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience worsening pain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have limited movement and function of your arm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit an emergency department if you have chest pain or difficulty breathing in addition to shoulder pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-treatment-for-shoulder-pain-from-conservative-care-to-surgery\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treatment for shoulder pain: From conservative care to surgery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShoulder pain doesn\u2019t automatically mean surgery. We always start with the least-invasive options \u2014 rest, physical therapy, targeted rotator cuff strengthening, anti-inflammatory medications \u2014 and most patients respond well to those approaches,\u201d Dr. Christensen said. \u201cSurgery is only on the table when conservative care has been thoroughly tried. Our goal is to find the most effective, lowest-cost path to restoring your motion and relieving your pain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your healthcare provider likely will start with noninvasive treatments, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rest and activity modification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical therapy and targeted rotator cuff strengthening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroid injections for pain relief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stretching, chiropractic care or massage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes conservative care is not enough. If you have tried everything, surgery may be your next step. If you have tried months of the above noninvasive pain relief and mobility-restoring techniques, surgery may help you regain quality of life, reduce pain and experience other benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-surgery-for-shoulder-pain-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Surgery for shoulder pain&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two types of surgery include arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (minimally invasive) and shoulder replacement (total shoulder arthroplasty).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reverse shoulder arthroplasty<\/strong> (replacement) \u2014 Reverse total shoulder replacement (R-TSR) is a procedure designed for patients with significant rotator cuff tears, severe arthritis or failed previous shoulder replacements. By switching the places of the joint\u2019s ball and socket, R-TSR uses the deltoid muscle instead of the damaged cuff muscles for movement. Recovery takes several months, with a sling used for three to four weeks. It generally offers high success rates for pain relief and restoring function and motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-diagnosis-treatment-and-beyond\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diagnosis, treatment and beyond<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shoulder specialists at Norton Orthopedic Institute have the experience and knowledge to identify conservative treatments, typically with lower cost, that can be effective for your condition. Norton Orthopedic Institute shoulder specialists use sophisticated imaging and other diagnostic tools to pinpoint the cause of your pain. Then, working with you, they\u2019ll develop a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan to help restore motion and ease pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norton Orthopedic Institute\u2019s board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons are at the forefront of using minimally invasive techniques and robotics for precision. Nonsurgical orthopedic specialists are trained and experienced in the latest approaches to relieving bone and joint pain without surgery. Sports medicine specialists help athletes and other active adults recover from injury, prevent reinjury and get back to moving without pain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It can take you by surprise \u2014 that pain in your shoulder when raising an arm over your head. Maybe you\u2019re reaching for a top-shelf item or waving to a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":1173177,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[679,528],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1173176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ortho-shoulder","category-orthopedics-services"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shoulder pain when raising arm overhead: Causes and treatment | Louisville, Ky.Norton Healthcare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shoulder pain when raising arm overhead can signal arthritis, bursitis, impingement or a rotator cuff issue. 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