1

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public

Month and Year

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

Public Health Service

National Institute of Arthritis 

and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases 

National Institutes of Health 

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892–3675

Phone: 301–495–4484

Toll free: 877–22–NIAMS

TTY: 301–565–2966

Fax: 301–718–6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov 

Web site: www.niams.nih.gov

1

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public

Month and Year Updated June 2010 

What Are Shoulder Problems?

What Are the Parts of the Shoulder?

The shoulder joint is made 

up of bones held in place 

by muscles, tendons, and 

ligaments. Tendons are 

tough cords of tissue that 

hold the shoulder muscles 

to bones. They help the 

muscles move the shoulder. 

Ligaments hold the three 

shoulder bones to each 

other and help make the 

shoulder joint stable.

Who Gets Shoulder 

Problems?

Men, women, and children can 

have shoulder problems. They occur in 

people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. 

What Causes Shoulder Problems?

Many shoulder problems are caused by the breakdown of soft tissues in the 

shoulder region. Using the shoulder too much can cause the soft tissue to break 

down faster as people get older. Doing manual labor and playing sports may 

cause shoulder problems.

Shoulder pain may be felt in one small spot, in a larger area, or down the arm. 

Pain that travels along nerves to the shoulder can be caused by diseases such as:

l Gallbladder disease

l Liver disease

l Heart disease

l Disease of the spine in the neck.

How Are Shoulder Problems Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose shoulder problems by using:

l Medical history

l Physical examination

l Tests such as x rays, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services

Public Health Service

National Institute of Arthritis 

and Musculoskeletal and 

Skin Diseases 

National Institutes of Health 

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892–3675

Phone: 301–495–4484

Toll free: 877–22–NIAMS

TTY: 301–565–2966

Fax: 301–718–6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov 

Web site: www.niams.nih.gov
What Are Shoulder Problems?

How Are Shoulder Problems Treated?

Shoulder problems are most often first treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation):

l Rest. Don’t use the shoulder for 48 hours.

l Ice. Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes, four to eight times per day. Use a 

cold pack, ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice wrapped in a towel.

l Compression. Put even pressure (compression) on the painful area to help reduce the 

swelling. A wrap or bandage will help hold the shoulder in place. 

l Elevation. Keep the injured area above the level of the heart. A pillow under the shoulder 

will help keep it up.

 If pain and stiffness persist, see a doctor to diagnose and treat the problem.

What Are the Most Common Shoulder Problems?

The most common shoulder problems are:

l Dislocation

l Separation

l Rotator cuff disease

l Rotator cuff tear

l Frozen shoulder

l Fracture

l Arthritis.

The symptoms and treatment of shoulder problems vary, depending on the type of problem. 

Dislocation

Dislocation occurs when the ball at the top of the bone in the upper arm pops out of the 

socket. It can happen if the shoulder is twisted or pulled very hard.

To treat a dislocation, a doctor performs a procedure to push the ball of the upper arm back 

into the socket. Further treatment may include:

l Wearing a sling or device to keep the shoulder in place

l Rest

l Ice three or four times a day

l Exercise to improve range of motion, strengthen muscles, and prevent injury.

Once a shoulder is dislocated, it may happen again. This is common in young, active people. If 

the dislocation injures tissues or nerves around the shoulder, surgery may be needed.

Separation

A shoulder separation occurs when the ligaments between the collarbone and the shoulder 

blade are torn. The injury is most often caused by a blow to the shoulder or by falling on an 

outstretched hand.

2

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
What Are Shoulder Problems?

Treatment for a shoulder separation includes:

l Rest

l A sling to keep the shoulder in place

l Ice to relieve pain and swelling

l Exercise, after a time of rest

l Surgery if tears are severe.

Rotator Cuff Disease: Tendinitis and Bursitis

In tendinitis of the shoulder, tendons become inflamed (red, sore, and swollen) from being pinched 

by parts around the shoulder.

Bursitis occurs when the bursa—a small fluid-filled sac that helps protect the shoulder joint—is 

inflamed. Bursitis is sometimes caused by disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is also caused by 

playing sports that overuse the shoulder or by jobs with frequent overhead reaching.

Tendinitis and bursitis may occur alone or at the same time. Treatment for tendinitis and 

bursitis includes:

l Rest

l Ice

l Medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen that reduce pain and swelling

l Ultrasound (gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow

l Gentle stretching and exercises to build strength 

l Injection of corticosteroid drug if the shoulder does not get better

l Surgery if the shoulder does not get better after 6 to 12 months.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tendons can become inflamed from frequent use or aging. Sometimes they are injured 

from a fall on an outstretched hand. Sports or jobs with repeated overhead motion can also 

damage the rotator cuff. Aging causes tendons to wear down, which can lead to a tear. Some tears 

are not painful, but others can be very painful.

Treatment for a torn rotator cuff depends on age, health, how severe the injury is, and how long 

the person has had the torn rotator cuff. Treatment for torn rotator cuff includes:

l Rest

l Heat or cold to the sore area

l Medicines that reduce pain and swelling

l Electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves

l Ultrasound

l Cortisone injection

3

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
What Are Shoulder Problems?

l Exercise to improve range-of-motion, strength, and function

l Surgery if the tear does not improve with other treatments.

Frozen Shoulder

Movement of the shoulder is very restricted in people with a frozen shoulder. Causes of frozen 

shoulder are:

l Lack of use due to chronic pain.

l Rheumatic disease that is getting worse.

l Bands of tissue that grow in the joint and restrict motion.

l Lack of the fluid that helps the shoulder joint move.

Treatment for frozen shoulder includes:

l Medicines to reduce pain and swelling

l Heat

l Gentle stretching exercise

l Electrical stimulation of muscles and nerves

l Cortisone injection

l Surgery if the shoulder does not improve with other treatments.

Fracture

A fracture is a crack through part or all of a bone. In the shoulder, a fracture usually involves the 

collarbone or upper arm bone. Fractures are often caused by a fall or blow to the shoulder.

Treatment for a fracture may include:

l A doctor putting the bones into a position that will promote healing.

l A sling or other device to keep the bones in place.

l After the bone heals, exercise to strengthen the shoulder and restore movement.

l Surgery.

Arthritis of the Shoulder

Arthritis can be one of two types:

l Osteoarthritis—a disease caused by wear and tear of the cartilage.

l Rheumatoid arthritis—an autoimmune disease causing one or more joints 

to become inflamed.

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is often treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 

(NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. People with rheumatoid arthritis may need physical 

therapy and medicine such as corticosteroids.

If these treatments for arthritis of the shoulder don’t relieve pain or improve function, surgery 

may be needed.

4

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public
What Are Shoulder Problems?

What Research Is Being Done on Shoulder Problems?

Scientists are studying shoulder problems to find ways to:

l Improve surgery.

l Improve function and reduce pain.

l Correct movement patterns that cause shoulder pain in some people with 

spinal cord damage.

l Develop new medicines that help muscles and tendons heal.

l Prevent and treat rotator cuff tears.

For More Information About Shoulder Problems and Other 

Related Conditions:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Information Clearinghouse

National Institutes of Health

1 AMS Circle

Bethesda, MD 20892–3675

Phone: 301–495–4484

Toll free: 877–22–NIAMS (226–4267) 

TTY: 301–565–2966

Fax: 301–718–6366

Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

Web site: www.niams.nih.gov

The information in this publication was summarized in easy-to-read format from information in a more detailed 

NIAMS publication. To order the Shoulder Problems Q&A full-text version, please contact NIAMS using the contact 

information above. To view the complete text or to order online, visit www.niams.nih.gov.

For Your Information

This fact sheet may contain information about medications used to treat the health condition 

discussed here. When this fact sheet was printed, we included the most up-to-date (accurate) 

information available. Occasionally, new information on medication is released.

For updates and for any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact the 

U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 888–INFO–FDA (toll free: 888–463–6332) or visit its Web 

site at www.fda.gov.

5

Fast Facts: An Easy-to-Read Series of Publications for the Public