The shoulder
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint known as the glenohumeral joint (GHJ). It is one of the most mobile joints in the human body. The rotator cuff muscles and ligaments support the shoulder joint.
There are two other joints which make up the shoulder. These are called Acromioclavicular (ACJ) and Sternoclavicular (SCJ). Each of these joints has a capsule around it which helps to keep the joints lubricated. Like other joints in the body, the shoulder has lots of ligaments, nerves and bursa. Bursae are small sacs of fluid which sit between tendons to help to reduce friction during movement.
Generally shoulder pain isn’t a cause for concern and it will improve over time. Most shoulder pain, with the right management and treatment, will get better without surgery.
Excercises for Shoulders
Other useful links for shoulder pain
- Versus arthritis - Shoulder Pain Info
- Versus Arthritis - 5 ways to help shoulder pain
- The British Elbow and Shoulder Society - Shoulder advice and exercise resource
- The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton - Rotator cuff related shoulder pain
- The University Hospital of Derby and Burton - Frozen Shoulder
- The University Hospital of Derby and Buron - Shoulder instability/dislocation
- Musculoskeletal Decision Making Tool Primary Care & Self Help
- Musculoskeletal Decision Making Tool - Thinking about a referral
We would recommend seeking further advice and medical assessment if you have any of the following:
- If you have had a significant trauma and have severe pain with a severe loss of movement
- If after a few weeks your pain is no better with over-the-counter pain relief
- If you have symptoms such as pins and needles, weakness, or, numbness in your arms or legs
- Dizziness, feeling sick, fainting, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and new onset of clumsiness, for example tripping over your own feet
- Pain at night that doesn’t get better when you try to make yourself more comfortable