Shoulder pain

Different structures in and around the shoulder together ensure that the shoulder can move well. Unfortunately, that does not always go so well. Shoulder symptoms can arise both acutely and over a longer period. This often presents as pain or a movement restriction.

Anatomy of the shoulder

The bones in the shoulder are the shoulder blade (scapula), the upper arm (humerus) and the collarbone (clavicle). The shoulder blade contains a socket in which the head of the upper arm moves. Together, the upper arm and the shoulder blade form the glenohumeral joint. Above this joint is the acromial arch. The arch consists of bony parts of the shoulder blade and some ligament-like bands (ligaments). 

On top of a part of the acromial arch called the acromion, the collarbone attaches. This runs from the shoulder along the front to the breastbone, to just below the neck. The shoulder blade and the collarbone both move when we lift the arm fully overhead.

Around the above-mentioned bony parts are many structures such as muscles, capsules, ligaments, bursae, blood vessels and nerves that work together to make the shoulder function as well as possible. A problem in one or more of these structures can lead to shoulder symptoms.

Check your shoulder symptoms

To get a good picture of the cause of the pain in the shoulder, we advise you to do the online physiotherapy check. By pointing out where you have pain and then answering the questions, your shoulder symptoms are compared with the most common conditions in physiotherapy.

Shoulder conditions

Below is an overview of conditions that can cause pain in the shoulder. Each article provides extensive information about the symptoms, the cause and any treatment. When you do the online physiotherapy check, your symptoms are compared with all these conditions.