Right shoulder pain can be caused by conditions like tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, dislocation, and frozen shoulder that can be the result of inflammation, repetitive movements, or trauma.
Right shoulder pain accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain, numbness or tingling in the arm, and shortness of breath could be a sign of a heart attack or angina. People with these symptoms need to be seen immediately in the emergency department.
In nonemergent cases of right shoulder pain, further assessment with your primary care provider or an orthopedic specialist is recommended to determine the best treatment, which may include medications like anti-inflammatories and analgesics, physical therapy, or surgery.
Main causes
The most common causes of right shoulder pain are:
1. Tendonitis
Right shoulder pain can be the result of tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that can also cause symptoms like cramping and weakness in the arm, difficulty moving the arm, and twinges in the shoulder.
Shoulder tendonitis can be caused by an injury related to intense physical activity or repetitive movements, and is more commonly seen in professionals like carpenters, teachers, painters, and people who work at a computer all day.
What to do: To help relieve pain and inflammation, you can try applying a cold compress to the shoulder for 20 minutes, 2 to 4 times per day. Your provider may also recommend physical therapy and the use of anti-inflammatories and analgesics like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
See tendonitis treatment.
2. Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, or fluid-filled sac, located in the shoulder joint. In addition to shoulder pain, bursitis can also cause tingling as well as difficulty lifting the arm and performing daily activities.
What to do: Bursitis treatment may involve physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications like diclofenac and betamethasone, which should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or other licensed healthcare provider.
Consuming food and beverages with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, such as green tea and dark chocolate, can also help reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Rotator cuff injury
Right shoulder pain can also be caused by a rotator cuff injury due to chronic wear and tear, inflammation, or trauma to the joint. Rotator cuff injuries are more common in athletes and people who work carrying heavy loads.
Other symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may include pain or weakness in the arm and difficulty performing day-to-day activities.
What to do: Treatment of a rotator cuff injury includes rest and applying cold compresses to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Your provider may also recommend physical therapy as well as medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen.
4. Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is an inflammation of the tissue that covers the shoulder joint. Symptoms may include pain in the affected shoulder that is worse at night and a feeling like the shoulder is stuck.
This condition can also affect the upper arm, resulting in limited mobility and difficulty performing day-to-day activities.
What to do: Treatment should be done based on the recommendations of an orthopedic specialist who may prescribe physical therapy in addition to medications like anti-inflammatories and analgesics. Surgery may also be indicated in some cases.
5. Angina
Angina is a condition caused by decreased blood flow and a lack of oxygen to the heart, with symptoms like chest pressure, tightness, or pain that can radiate to the right shoulder; tingling in the arm, shoulder, or fist; and cold sweats.
What to do: Angina symptoms require immediate evaluation in the emergency department. A cardiologist can prescribe medications like metoprolol, morphine, aspirin, and captopril to improve blood flow, regulate blood pressure, and decrease the risk for blood clots.
6. Heart attack
A heart attack is caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart that damages the heart tissues. Symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain that radiates to the arms, pain in the right or left shoulder, nausea, cold sweats, shortness of breath, and pallor.
What to do: Anyone with symptoms of a heart attack needs to be seen immediately at the closest emergency department. Treatment may include oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation as well as medications like aspirin, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, statins, and nitrates to regulate blood flow to the heart.
7. Rheumatoid arthritis
Right shoulder pain can also be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the joints as well as swelling, heat, redness, and difficulty moving the arms and the shoulders.
What to do: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is managed by a rheumatologist and may involve the use of physical therapy and medications like anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.
Complementary therapies for rheumatoid arthritis include drinking tea made from medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, such as ginger tea, turmeric tea, and green tea.
8. Dislocation
A dislocated shoulder is an injury that can be caused by falls, muscle weakness, a blow to the shoulder, or improper technique when lifting heavy loads. Symptoms include severe shoulder pain, joint deformity, swelling, and difficulty moving the shoulder.
What to do: Treatment for a dislocated shoulder is done by an orthopedic specialist and involves maneuvers to place the bones of the affected joint back into the correct position. This is typically followed by immobilization of the joint and physical therapy.
9. Herniated disc
Right shoulder pain can be caused by a herniated cervical disc, a condition caused by compression of an intervertebral disc located in the neck. Symptoms include neck pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, or hand; numbness; and tingling.
What to do: The recommendation is to consult an orthopedic specialist for treatment, which may include daily application of hot packs to the area, medications like analgesics and anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and stretches to help relieve the pain.
10. Thoracic outlet syndrome
Right shoulder pain can develop due to thoracic outlet syndrome, which is a compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels located between the clavicle (collar bone) and the first rib.
In addition to right shoulder pain, thoracic outlet syndrome can also cause arm, neck, and hand pain; tingling or difficulty moving the arms; and swelling in the arms, hands, and fingers.
What to do: An orthopedic specialist can prescribe physical therapy or the use of medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and warfarin to relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and dissolve blood clots.
11. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes a breakdown of the cartilage in the shoulder and other joints. Symptoms include shoulder pain that radiates to the neck and may worsen with moving the arms.
What to do: Treatment of osteoarthritis is managed by an orthopedic specialist or rheumatologist. The main treatments for osteoarthritis include medications like anti-inflammatories and analgesics, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections into the affected joint to help relieve pain.
12. Lung cancer
Lung cancer, especially cancer of the upper part of the lung, can cause symptoms like pain and swelling in the right shoulder and arm, weakness in the hands, and facial flushing.
These symptoms are part of a condition known as Pancoast syndrome, which occurs due to compression of the vascular and neural structures and adjacent structures by a tumor, typically a bronchogenic carcinoma.
What to do: Treatment will vary based on the type and size of the tumor as well as a person's overall health status. An oncologist may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
When to see a doctor
It is recommended to consult your primary care provider or an orthopedic specialist for right shoulder pain lasting more than 2 weeks or for right shoulder pain associated with other symptoms like fever, difficulty moving the arm, and localized heat, swelling or redness of the shoulder.
Right shoulder pain accompanied by symptoms like chest pain, numbness or tingling in the arm, or shortness of breath requires immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency department.