Shoulder pain when raising the arm is a very characteristic symptom that is often associated with the rotator cuff.
When the space above the shoulder joint narrows, the rotator cuff begins to rub against the bone above it when the arm is raised, and this can lead to shoulder pain, inflammation, and limitation of movement due to repeated use.
The rotator cuff consists of 4 muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. This keeps the upper arm in the center of the shoulder joint during each movement, but also helps lift the shoulder and plays a role in rotational movements.
Above the rotator cuff is the extension of the scapula. Between the two is a mucus tube filled with a thin material.
The purpose of this hose is to reduce friction during arm movement. If anything goes wrong in this complex system, the rotator cuff gets closer and closer to the top of the shoulder, and in this case lifting the arm at 70 degrees can get stuck.
The symptoms of shoulder pain develop only continuously.
In the beginning, only a slight pain radiating to the shoulder area can be felt, and this can also be felt when resting and moving. At first it’s only a dull pain, it keeps getting worse and later it occurs even at night to the point where you wake up. You may not even be able to lie on the affected side.
You may even feel a shooting shoulder pain during overhead movements. In the beginning, the lifting movements of the arm are limited, and later also the rotating movements, so almost all movements end in pain.
Shoulder pain when lifting the arm can most often develop when the tendons are damaged or inflamed. It mostly occurs in those who regularly raise their arms above their heads during their work or hobbies.
In most cases, an effective treatment usually brings improvement for the patient. In such cases, it is worth avoiding movements that cause pain. It is worth visiting a specialist for physiotherapy. If the shoulder pain persists when raising the arm, it is also recommended to use herbal balms, as they can also reduce inflammation.
