How is pain when lifting the arm treated?

Raising the arm loads the rotator cuff tendons and the space around the shoulder. Pain may come from Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, a Rotator Cuff Tear, Shoulder Impingement or Calcific Tendinitis, among other causes. The timing of pain, weakness, injury history and range of motion help separate these possibilities.

An examination may compare both shoulders, test strength and check the neck and nerves. Imaging is considered when the examination suggests a tear, calcium deposit, significant injury or another problem that would change management.

Temporarily reduce repeated overhead work, heavy lifting and movements that produce a sharp arc of pain, while keeping comfortable shoulder movement to avoid stiffness. A rehabilitation clinician can progress mobility, shoulder-blade control and rotator-cuff strengthening as symptoms allow.

Pain relief may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist after considering your health history. If structured rehabilitation does not restore function and examination supports it, a specialist may discuss Subacromial Decompression or another targeted treatment. The procedure is not selected from the symptom alone.

Arrange assessment for persistent pain, night pain, increasing weakness or difficulty dressing and reaching. Seek urgent care after a fall or blow if the shoulder looks deformed, cannot be moved, or the arm is numb, cold or unusually pale. Sudden loss of strength needs prompt evaluation for a significant tendon or nerve injury.

Ask which diagnosis the examination supports, whether imaging is useful, which movements to pause, and how the strengthening programme should progress. Ask what degree of weakness or night pain should trigger an earlier review.