Stiffness of the Shoulder: Causes & Reasons

Possible Causes for Stiffness of the Shoulder

If you have a painful stiff shoulder, there is a good chance that you have a frozen shoulder. [howardluksmd.com]

Stiff or frozen shoulders are usually uncomfortable, even if the degree of stiffness is not great. That's the bad news. [orthop.washington.edu]

Home Exercises for the Stiff Shoulder. [orthop.washington.edu]

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Patients may note some stiffness in the shoulder especially reaching behind their back. [ortho.wustl.edu]

Shoulder bursitis and tendinitis are common causes of shoulder pain and stiffness. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

This type of shoulder pain is more common if you’re over 30. If not treated, it can lead to stiffness or weakness in your shoulder. [webmd.com]

Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Since pain and stiffness associated with shoulder arthritis can worsen over time, it’s important that you don’t ignore symptoms. [healthline.com]

Symptoms Patients with arthritis of the shoulder will classically complain of a stiff and painful shoulder, with a limited range of movement. [shoulderdoc.co.uk]

You might also experience: tenderness and warmth in your joints a stiff feeling in your shoulders, especially in the morning rheumatoid nodules, which are bumps under your [healthline.com]

Calcific Tendinitis of the Shoulder

Occasionally it can lead to stiffness in the shoulder ( Frozen shoulder ). [yorkshoulderclinic.com]

Some patients with calcific tendinitis report stiffness in their shoulder. [phoenixshoulderandknee.com]

Tell your doctor if you have any of these: Sudden onset of pain Intense pain with shoulder movement Stiffness of shoulder Loss of shoulder range of motion Pain that disrupts [uvahealth.com]

Humerus Fracture

It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Shoulder arthroplasty may eventually be needed or may be the initial treatment of choice in the fracture management. [patient.info]

Abstract This case illustrates the treatment of a stiff shoulder following open reduction and internal fixation of a three-part fracture of the proximal humerus. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Subdeltoid Bursitis

In less severe cases, patients may only experience an ache or stiffness in the shoulder that increases with rest following activities placing strain on the bursa. [physioadvisor.com.au]

People complain of a deep, aching pain and progressive stiffness in the shoulder. [livehealthy.chron.com]

By increasing circulation and blood flow in the shoulder, then pain and stiffness is relieved, and the tendons and ligaments can strengthen to restore stability. [sinewtherapeutics.com]

Rotator Cuff Tear

The most common condition that mimics a rotator cuff tear is shoulder stiffness or a frozen shoulder. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Frozen Shoulder Frozen shoulder is also known as adhesive capsulitis. It is characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder and sometimes in the upper arm. [orthoatlanta.com]

It is common for a patient to develop a stiff and painful shoulder with no injury. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Shoulder Sprain

Symptoms & Types A shoulder sprain will usually lead to 1 or more of the following symptoms: Pain and stiffness in the shoulder Inability to rotate the arm in all the normal [texaschildrens.org]

Ask yourself some questions to help you decide if you have a shoulder injury : Can you move your arm normally, or is your shoulder too stiff or painful? [webmd.com]

It can also cause pain and stiffness in your shoulders. Referred pain. Sometimes your shoulders hurt when there’s nothing wrong with them. [webmd.com]

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome Symptoms include pain, pinching, or stiffness in your shoulder. [uchealth.org]

If you feel pain, pinching, stiffness in your shoulder with movement or a catch when raising your arm, you may have something called shoulder impingement syndrome. [acupunctureinthepark.com]

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

The most common symptom is pain and stiffness in both shoulders and the neck. The pain and stiffness are worse in the morning. [medlineplus.gov]

It causes pain and morning stiffness of the shoulders, hips, neck, and wrists. [symptoma.com]

Call your provider if you have weakness or stiffness in your shoulder and neck that does not go away. [medlineplus.gov]

Glenoid Labrum Tear

The visible symptoms are: A numbing and diffused pain in the posterior portion of the shoulder Varied shoulder movements cause some popping or clicking sounds Stiffness of [injuredshoulder.com]

Incomplete shoulder rotation: Rehabilitation lessens the likelihood of permanent stiffness or loss of motion. [baptisthealth.com]

stiffness Shoulder instability Shoulder weakness, often on one side Diagnosis A physical examination will include checking range of motion, stability, and pain as well as [baptisthealth.com]

Temporal Arteritis

Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica tend to develop quickly and in addition to muscle pain, other symptoms may include: Stiffness around the shoulders and hips, especially [webmd.com]

People with often have polymyalgia rheumatica, a disorder associated with pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and hip. What happens in giant cell arteritis? [web.archive.org]

[…] pain on both sides Morning stiffness that lasts at least 45 minutes High levels of inflammation measured by blood tests Reported new hip pain Absence of swelling in the small [webmd.com]

Shoulder Dislocation

A diagnosis of posttraumatic stiff shoulder or frozen shoulder may have been made. Typically the arm is held in internal rotation and adduction. [lifeinthefastlane.com]

After the ligaments have healed, people may need rehabilitation to prevent shoulder stiffness. [consumer.healthday.com]

Dislocation Left Missed Posterior Shoulder Dislocation Complications Osteonecrosis of the humeral head Acute re-dislocation Recurrent posterior shoulder instability Joint [lifeinthefastlane.com]

Bursitis

[…] inside of the shoulder joint, which are mainly felt at night, and during lying on the affected shoulder. [shoulder.cz]

“You don’t want to get a stiff shoulder, but you don’t want to overstretch it either.” [prevention.com]

Subjective Symptoms of Glenohumeral Arthritis and Articular Hydrops Subjective symptoms of arthritis of any etiology and articular hydrops are a morning stiffness and pains [shoulder.cz]

Arthritis

This disease most often affects the spine, causing pain and stiffness. It can also cause arthritis in the hips, shoulders, and knees. [orangeorthopaedics.com]

A condition involving tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joint that causes pain, aching, and morning stiffness in the shoulders, hips, neck, and lower back [web.archive.org]

Stiffness of the joint is another sign of shoulder arthritis progression. You may experience stiffness as loss of range of motion in the shoulder. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Bursal Disorder

[…] of the shoulder. [britannica.com]

Living with tendinitis or bursitis Tendinitis or bursitis in the shoulder can become a greater problem if the shoulder becomes stiff. [rheumatology.org]

The shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and heel are the most common sites of bursitis. Causes of bursitis Injury, repeated pressure and overuse are common causes of bursitis. [betterhealth.vic.gov.au]

Callus Formation of the Clavicle

After your pain reduces your doctor may recommend gentle shoulder and elbow exercises to minimize stiffness and weakness in your shoulder. [ahearne.co.uk]

If the shoulder joint gets stiff, it is a condition known as a frozen shoulder. [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Pain should be the limiting factor for activity, but gentle range of motion exercises should begin early, in 1-3 weeks, to prevent the shoulder from getting stiff. [beginnertriathlete.com]

Arthropathy

He presented with persistent pain and stiffness affecting both shoulder and pelvic girdles, unresponsive to factor VIII (FVIII) infusions. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

With AS, there may be pain and stiffness in the shoulders, hips, or other joints as well. [medtronic.com]

[…] of this site including those concerning (1) the rotator cuff (2) home exercises for the stiff shoulder (3) home exercises for the weak shoulder (4) home exercises for the [orthop.washington.edu]

Osteoarthritis

Physical examination demonstrated painful limitations in shoulder elevation and internal/external rotation movements, stiffness with testing using accessory glides, and rotator [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] in the neck or low back Pain that radiates into the shoulder or down the arm Weakness or numbness in one or both arms Pain or morning stiffness that lasts for about 30 minutes [aans.org]

As a result of the pain and stiffness, the freedom of the joints is often affected. [news-medical.net]

Brachial Plexus Neuritis

and will have stiff elbow; - keep C-collar on and look for associated C spine fractures - in children and adults, if biceps function has not return after 3 mo then consider [wheelessonline.com]

Physical therapy may also be recommended after a few weeks for gentle mobilization of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers to avoid stiffness. [ypo.education]

Physical therapy of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers involves specific exercises to prevent stiffness, contractures, or muscle atrophy. [orthoinfo.aaos.org]

Erosive Osteoarthrosis

One or more parts of the body can be affected, most often the hands, shoulders, spine, knees, or hips.Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly, causing pain, stiffness, and [icdlist.com]

Rarely, large joints such as the hip and shoulder can become involved. [appliedradiology.com]

Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes is common. (In contrast, morning stiffness in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis lasts longer than 45 minutes.) [aafp.org]

Shoulder Fracture

Shoulder stiffness and frozen shoulder is also frequent after an undisplaced greater tuberosity fracture. This may require treatment, like a true frozen shoulder. [shoulderdoc.co.uk]

[…] infection a rare occurrence. view Frozen Shoulder A Frozen shoulder also called adhesive capsulitis is a condition presenting with shoulder stiffness and severe shoulder [rocmd.com]

[…] avascular necrosis (death) of the head fragment for complete disruption of its blood supply arthritis of the shoulder joint nerve injury stiffness of the shoulder joint or [joint-pain-expert.net]

Musculoskeletal Disorder

Loss of muscle function or weakness Discomfort or pain in the shoulders, neck, or upper or lower back Extremities turning white or feeling unusually cold General feeling [ergonomics.ucr.edu]

shoulders wrists back hips legs knees feet In some cases, the symptoms of MSDs interfere with everyday activities like walking or typing. [healthline.com]

[…] include a dull aching pain, a sharp stabbing pain, or even a burning sensation Tingling or numbness, particularly in the hands or fingers Swelling, inflammation, or joint stiffness [ergonomics.ucr.edu]

Cervical Osteoarthritis

Before this particular symptom appeared I had 30years of, what I call, associated C/S symptoms ( headaches, stiff neck, frozen shoulder etc ) indicating neck reactions to [physiobob.com]

View/Print Table TABLE 1 Clinical Presentation of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Common symptoms Clumsy or weak hands Leg weakness or stiffness Neck stiffness Pain in shoulders [aafp.org]

Symptoms The signs and symptoms of cervical spondylosis are: A stiff, painful neck Shoulder, arm or chest pain Tingling and pinprick sensations in the arms, hands, legs or [nuhgynae.com.sg]

Scapula Fracture

Risks of surgical treatment include infection, shoulder stiffness, nerve injury, and shoulder arthritis. [verywell.com]

Therefore, a majority of scapular fractures are treated conservatively and with early motion to reduce the risk of stiffness and will usually heal without affecting shoulder [drshillington.com.au]

Provides new and expanded material on the management of advanced arthritis and CTA, infected arthroplasty, procedures to manage the stiff shoulder, and much more keeping you [books.google.de]

Syringomyelia

Since the spinal cord connects the brain to nerves in the arms and legs, this damage can result in pain, weakness and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms or legs. [neurosurgery.ucla.edu]

It results in weakness, pain, and stiffness in the shoulders, arms, legs, or back. It may be associated with Chiari malformation. [fpnotebook.com]

Rheumatoid Arteritis

The most common symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica are muscle pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders and hips. [ypo.education]

Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica tend to develop quickly and in addition to muscle pain, other symptoms may include: Stiffness around the shoulders and hips, especially [webmd.com]

Causes and symptoms Polymyalgia Rheumatica mainly causes muscle pain and stiffness of the neck, shoulder and hips after long periods of rest or inactivity. [irheum.org]

Whiplash Injury

The symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness. Upper back and shoulder pain can also occur. [verywellhealth.com]

However, slowly, the typical symptoms (neck pain and stiffness, tightness in the shoulders, etc—you'll learn more about the symptoms in this article) may develop. [spinoteka.hr]

The prognosis for stiff shoulders tended to be poor in women (2.83, 1.23-6.51); and the prognosis for numbness in the upper extremities tended to be poor after accidents with [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Subacromial Bursitis

In less severe cases, patients may only experience an ache or stiffness in the shoulder that increases with rest following activities placing strain on the bursa. [scottchiro.com]

It can cause swelling and stiffness and the shoulder may also be warm and red. [painsolutions.org.uk]

Some of these factors include: joint stiffness (particularly the shoulder, neck or upper back) shoulder instability bony anomalies of the acromion or AC joint muscle tightness [athleticedge.biz]

Extracranial Giant Cell Arteritis

[…] and pain in shoulders, thighs, and buttocks Dermatologic, renal, pulmonary – rarely involved ARUP Lab Tests Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical [arupconsult.com]

The primary symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica are moderate to severe stiffness and muscle pain near the neck, shoulders, or hips. [healthieryou.com]

The condition involves muscle discomfort, soreness, and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, upper arms, hips, and upper thighs. [healthline.com]