Full range of orthopedic services from diagnosis to rehabilitation. We provide assistance with injuries and diseases of the joints, as well as sports injuries.
Rehabilitation After Arthroscopy: What You Need to Know
After joint arthroscopy, it is necessary to restore movement, weight-bearing ability, muscle strength, and the capacity to tolerate everyday activity.
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Shoulder and Arm Pain: Causes and Treatment
The shoulder has a wide range of motion, which makes it particularly sensitive to injuries, overuse, and inflammatory changes.
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Intra-Articular Injections: Indications and Risks
Intra-articular injections are a common treatment option for joint pain. They may provide relatively rapid relief, improve mobility, and help a person return to everyday activities.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis: What It Is, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as Bechterew’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Over time, it can limit mobility and significantly affect quality of life.
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Osteoarthritis of the Joints: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the entire joint in which the articular cartilage gradually deteriorates, bone tissue changes, and the surrounding joint structures function less effectively.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms and Rheumatoid Factor
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the joints, tendon sheaths, and other tissues throughout the body.
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De Quervain’s Disease: Symptoms and Treatment Methods
De Quervain’s disease, also known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, is a condition affecting the first extensor compartment of the wrist. The thumb tendons pass through a narrowed tunnel and begin to glide with pain.
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Hygroma: Causes and Effective Treatment
A hygroma is a superficial, bony formation near a joint or tendon canal that most often appears on the hand, wrist, or fingers.
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Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)
Stenosing ligamentitis disrupts the normal gliding of the finger tendon and gradually makes the usual hand movements more difficult. At first, a person feels stiffness, then a painful clicking appears, and at later stages the finger becomes fixed in a bent position.
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Why Does a Finger Hurt: Main Causes and Treatment
Pain in the finger appears after injury, overload, inflammation or compression of the nerve. The symptom itself does not indicate one specific problem, because the source of discomfort can be a joint, tendons, ligaments, nerve or surrounding soft tissues.
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Joint Contracture: Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment Methods
Joint contracture is a persistent decrease in range of motion due to changes in the soft tissues and other structures around the joint. This condition interferes with everyday activities and can significantly worsen quality of life.
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Can You Run with Osteoarthritis?
When running with arthrosis is possible, in which cases it is strictly not recommended, and what alternatives should be considered in order to maintain movement without harm to the joints - says Vasily Mellen, orthopedic surgeon and traumatologist of Mashtaler Ortho&Trauma Clinic.
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What Are Compression Stockings?
When people think about treatment of the musculoskeletal system, they usually imagine surgery, fixation, and exercise. However, there is another component that works almost unnoticed while significantly affecting the recovery process: compression stockings.
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Rehabilitation and Life After Hip Replacement
The pain that caused sleepless nights, restricted movement, and changed daily habits disappears. In the first days after surgery, patients notice that it becomes easier to stand up and sit down. It is a relief to stop thinking about every step.
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Innovative Bikini Approach for Hip Replacement Surgery
Bikini approach is a relatively new, minimally invasive method that is distinguished by its delicacy, less trauma and expressive aesthetics.
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Donor Meniscus Transplantation
This is an important milestone, as the procedure has been performed only eight times in Ukraine.
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
The anterior cruciate ligament connects the femur and the tibia, helping stabilize the knee during bending, pivoting, and walking.
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Super Inductive System
Super Inductive System (also known as High-Intensity Magnetotherapy) is a modern, effective, and safe method of pain treatment that works without invasive intervention.
The shoulder has a wide range of motion, which makes it particularly sensitive to injuries, overuse, and inflammatory changes. Discomfort in this area can quickly interfere with dressing, sleeping on one side, working with the hands, and lifting objects.
In this article, we explain why pain may spread from the shoulder into the arm, which symptoms require prompt medical evaluation, and how treatment is selected depending on the underlying cause.
What Can Cause Shoulder and Arm Pain?
Pain may originate in the shoulder joint itself or in the surrounding tissues, including the tendons, muscles, ligaments, bursae, and joint capsule. Sometimes the source is located higher, in the cervical spine, where the nerves responsible for sensation and muscle strength in the arm originate.
The most common causes include:
injury after a fall, blow, or sudden pulling movement;
overuse during work involving repeated overhead movements;
tendinopathy or a tear of the rotator cuff tendons;
subacromial impingement syndrome;
adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder;
osteoarthritis of the shoulder or acromioclavicular joint;
cervical radiculopathy causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm;
other rheumatological or neurological conditions.
When shoulder pain spreads into the arm, it is important to assess not only its intensity but also the associated symptoms. Arm weakness, numbness, nighttime pain, limited movement, and a history of shoulder injury all provide important diagnostic information.
Injuries and Overuse as Common Causes of Pain
One of the most common causes of shoulder pain is overloading of the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and their tendons. These structures stabilize the shoulder joint and allow controlled movement of the arm.
Repeated overhead movements can irritate the tendons. Over time, this may lead to inflammation, swelling, and pain that becomes worse when the arm is moved sideways or raised overhead.
Falls are more commonly associated with bruising, ligament sprains, dislocations, fractures, and tendon tears. Sudden weakness after an injury requires medical assessment, even if the pain has partially improved.
Overuse symptoms usually develop more gradually. At first, the patient may notice discomfort after work. Later, pain begins to occur during ordinary activities such as brushing the hair, putting on a jacket, or reaching for an object on a shelf.
Inflammatory Conditions of the Shoulder Joint and Tendons
Inflammation may affect the tendons, joint capsule, bursa, or the joint itself. In these cases, shoulder pain is often accompanied by stiffness, tenderness to pressure, and limited active movement.
In bursitis, a small fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues becomes irritated. The shoulder may hurt when the arm is raised, when lying on the affected side, or during repeated everyday movements.
Tendinitis and tendinopathy are more often associated with overuse or age-related tendon changes. In some patients, pain travels along the outer surface of the upper arm without causing numbness in the fingers.
In osteoarthritis, discomfort usually develops gradually. Movement becomes less smooth, clicking or grinding may occur, and activity causes pain and joint fatigue more quickly.
The doctor may also assess the patient for polymyalgia rheumatica. This condition typically causes pain and morning stiffness in both shoulders and is more common in people over the age of 50.
Can Neck Pain Spread into the Arm?
Yes. The cervical spine can be the source of pain felt in the shoulder, forearm, or hand. In this case, symptoms are often caused by compression or inflammation of a nerve root.
Typical signs of cervical radiculopathy include:
numbness;
tingling;
burning pain;
muscle weakness;
changes in sensation.
Pain may become worse when turning the head, sitting for long periods, or bending the neck.
To determine why the shoulder and arm hurt, the doctor examines both the shoulder joint and the neck. This helps distinguish tendon-related pain from symptoms caused by nerve irritation.
If shoulder pain is accompanied by finger numbness, reduced grip strength, or shooting pain beginning in the neck, a neurological assessment is required. When indicated, the doctor may recommend MRI of the cervical spine, electroneuromyography, or consultation with another specialist.
Symptoms That May Indicate a Serious Problem
A more serious condition is suspected when pain begins suddenly, is accompanied by weakness, or rapidly limits movement. Symptoms following a fall, road accident, sports injury, or sudden pulling movement require particular attention.
Warning signs include:
a visible change in the shape of the shoulder after an injury;
inability to raise or hold the arm;
numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand;
pain that prevents sleep for several consecutive nights;
redness, increased skin temperature, fever, or pronounced swelling;
pain accompanied by chest pressure, shortness of breath, or cold sweating;
sudden severe stiffness affecting both shoulders.
Even if the pain seems tolerable, associated neurological symptoms change the diagnostic and treatment strategy. In such cases, there may be a risk of damage to nerves, tendons, or other important anatomical structures.
When Urgent Medical Attention Is Needed
Urgent assessment is required after an injury if the shoulder is visibly deformed, becomes severely swollen, or the arm loses its usual strength. In these situations, the doctor first rules out a fracture, dislocation, or tendon tear.
Seek immediate medical help if pain spreads into the left arm and is accompanied by chest tightness, shortness of breath, nausea, or cold sweating. These symptoms may be related to a heart condition.
A consultation should also not be delayed if symptoms continue for more than one or two weeks or gradually become worse. Pain that reduces quality of life rarely resolves completely without activity modification, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
How Shoulder and Arm Pain Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis begins with taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. The doctor asks when the symptoms began, what makes them worse, which movements the patient avoids, and whether there has been an injury. During the examination, both active and passive range of motion are assessed.
The doctor also evaluates:
rotator cuff strength;
shoulder stability;
areas of tenderness;
sensation in the arm;
changes in symptoms during neck movements.
When indicated, diagnostic tests may include:
X-ray imaging to assess bones, osteoarthritis, and the consequences of injury;
ultrasound to examine tendons, bursae, joint fluid, and tissues during movement;
MRI when a tendon tear, capsule injury, or complex intra-articular condition is suspected;
blood tests when systemic inflammation, infection, or a rheumatological disease is possible;
electroneuromyography when there are signs of nerve damage.
Common Treatment Methods
Treatment is selected after the cause of the symptoms has been identified. If the pain is related to tendon overuse, conservative treatment and physical therapy are usually recommended. In cases of dislocation, fracture, or a complete rotator cuff tear, treatment may involve immobilization, additional examinations, or surgery.
The most common treatment methods include:
reducing strain without prolonged immobilization;
anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medications prescribed by a doctor;
physical therapy to restore range of motion and strength;
corticosteroid injections for pronounced inflammation of the bursa or joint capsule;
shockwave therapy for selected chronic tendinopathies and calcific deposits;
surgery for acute tears, instability, fractures, or persistent loss of function.
The treatment plan depends on the underlying cause, the patient’s age, activity level, and the condition of the tissues. Recovery may differ significantly between a person with a physically demanding job and someone with a sedentary lifestyle.
Restoring Mobility and the Role of Rehabilitation
The effectiveness of rehabilitation largely depends on identifying the exact cause of pain. For this reason, exercises and recovery plans are selected individually, depending on whether the symptoms originate from the tendons, joint capsule, bursa, joint surfaces, or nerve structures of the cervical spine.
The rehabilitation process usually follows several stages:
Gentle Restoration of Movement. At the beginning, the program may include pendulum exercises, finger walking on the wall, gentle shoulder abduction, and assisted movements with a stick. The goal is to restore basic range of motion without causing significant tendon irritation.
Isometric Exercises. When acute pain decreases, muscle contractions without active joint movement may be introduced. This allows the rotator cuff muscles to begin working without sudden movements or excessive friction.
Strengthening the Shoulder and Shoulder Blade Muscles. The next stage may include resistance bands, light dumbbells, internal and external shoulder rotation, and pulling exercises. These exercises help stabilize the shoulder during everyday and work-related movements.
Returning to Overhead Movement. Movements above shoulder level are introduced when raising the arm no longer causes sharp pain, loss of control, or excessive elevation of the shoulder toward the ear.
Individual Recovery After Injury or Surgery. After a tendon tear, dislocation, fracture, or surgical treatment, loading must follow an individualized rehabilitation protocol. Returning to activity too early or increasing the load too quickly may worsen symptoms and prolong recovery.
How to Prevent Shoulder Pain from Returning
Prevention begins with appropriate load management. To reduce the risk of recurrent pain, it is important to modify movements that repeatedly overload the tendons or force the shoulder to remain in an uncomfortable position.
Helpful measures include:
taking breaks during repetitive overhead work;
strengthening the muscles of the shoulder blade, shoulder, and thoracic spine;
returning to sports gradually without suddenly increasing training volume;
not ignoring nighttime pain, weakness, or recurrent numbness;
adjusting the workplace if the shoulder remains constantly tense;
treating associated rheumatological, neurological, and metabolic conditions.
A stable result depends on identifying the exact cause of pain and following the rehabilitation plan consistently. When the treatment recommendations are followed, the shoulder becomes better able to tolerate everyday activity, and quality of life gradually returns to its previous level.
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