Duration of pain in the shoulder
The duration of the pain is very dependent on the underlying disease. For this reason, no generally valid duration can be given. In the case of pain caused by tension, relief can be achieved within a short time, sometimes after hours.
With more complicated clinical pictures such as torn tendons or fractures, surgery is often necessary. After an operation, it can take weeks or months for the defective structures of the shoulder to heal. Inflammations often subside after days if they are treated correctly.
Pain in the armpit
If the pain of the shoulder is felt particularly strongly in the armpit, this can give an indication of the disease. A disease with typical pain in the armpit is arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Arthrosis results in damage to the joint cartilage.
This can be caused by inflammation, wear and tear or an accident. The joint cartilage ensures that the joint surfaces can slide well and that there is as little friction as possible in the joint. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage is damaged and friction occurs in the joint, which can be painful.
The pain of shoulder arthrosis can be described as dull in most cases. They are also increased when the arms are moved above the head. For example, throwing objects or working above the head can thus increase the pain.
Pain in the shoulder when lifting the arm
If you lift your arm and feel pain, there are several possible diseases for which this symptom is characteristic. One example is the impingement syndrome. In this syndrome, the tendon of the supraspinatus muculus becomes trapped.
When the arms are raised laterally above the head, the humerus and the acromion come closer together. The tendon of the supraspinatus muscle lies between these bones. Increased strain can lead to strong friction, which can then result in a tear of the tendon.
Classically, the so-called “arc-of-pain” occurs in impingement syndrome. In this case, the patient spreads the arms sideways from the body. At an angle of 60° between the arm and the body, the pain should start and at an angle of 90° the pain should subside.
The pain can also extend into the arm. In addition to the impingement syndrome, a shortening of the minor pectoralis muscle can also be responsible for the pain when lifting the arm. The minor pectoralis muscle (also known as the “small chest muscle”) connects the shoulder with the chest. During stress, excessive training or chronic poor posture, the muscle shortens, pulling the shoulder forward. Afterwards, lifting the arm can cause pain.
