Shoulder pain can be referred from other parts of the body, such as the neck, chest, and spine. Common causes include cervical spondylosis, thoracic spine problems, lung disease, heart problems, and abdominal conditions. Pain may be accompanied by other symptoms and not change with movement.
Referred shoulder pain is pain or ache that is felt in the shoulder, but is actually originating from an injury or problem elsewhere in the body. The neck, chest, and shoulder regions have a great deal of interconnection in terms of common nerves, which is why pain can be felt at a site where there is no disease or injury. One of the main indications that shoulder pain can be referred is if the pain does not change when the patient moves the shoulder, arm or neck. Another important clue that may suggest referred shoulder pain is if it is accompanied by symptoms elsewhere in the body, such as the chest, abdomen, or spine.
The most common cause of referred pain in the shoulder is degeneration of the cervical spine. The term for this disease is cervical spondylosis and it is relatively common in people over the age of 50, although only about 20% of sufferers experience painful symptoms. You may experience chronic pain, along with shoulder and neck problems.
Thoracic spine problems can also cause shoulder pain. When pain is referred from the spine to the shoulder, it is usually because a nerve is being compressed. Spine problems that cause shoulder pain may be accompanied by a tingling or numbness in the fingers, muscle weakness, and impaired coordination in the hands and arms.
Some other major types of health problems that can lead to referred shoulder pain include lung disease, heart problems, and abdominal disease. Lung diseases known to cause shoulder pain include pneumonia, lung cancer, and general inflammation in the lung region. In these cases, shoulder pain is most commonly experienced on the same side of the body as the originating lung problem.
Heart problems that can cause referred shoulder pain include heart attack, myocardial infarction, and pericarditis, which is inflammation of the membrane around the heart. If you have heart problems, shoulder pain can be accompanied by throbbing pains up your arm and usually feel on the left side of your body. The neck can also be painful.
Abdominal conditions that can lead to referred shoulder pain include pancreatitis and gallstones. Gallstones can cause right shoulder pain. Shoulder pain has also been known to occur as a side effect of an invasive medical procedure such as laparoscopy or some gynecological procedures.
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