You likely have nerve pain in your shoulder because a nerve in your neck or shoulder area is being compressed or irritated. This compression, often referred to as a pinched nerve, can occur due to various reasons.
Here's a breakdown of the potential causes:
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Nerve Compression: The primary cause is pressure on a nerve. This can happen when surrounding tissues, such as cartilage, tendons, or bone, put too much pressure on a nerve.
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Pinched Nerve in the Neck (Cervical Radiculopathy): Often, the source of shoulder nerve pain stems from the neck. Damage to a nerve root in the neck, perhaps from wear and tear or a sudden injury leading to a herniated disc, can cause pain that radiates down into the shoulder.
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Underlying Conditions:
- Arthritis: The inflammation associated with arthritis can narrow the spaces where nerves travel, leading to compression.
- Bone Spurs: These bony growths can develop along the spine or in the shoulder joint and press on nerves.
- Repetitive Motions: Overuse of the shoulder through repetitive motions can inflame tissues, causing nerve compression.
- Injury: Trauma to the shoulder area can directly injure a nerve or lead to inflammation that compresses it.
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Specific Nerve Involvement:
- Suprascapular Nerve: This nerve controls some shoulder muscles. Injury to this nerve, often due to repetitive overhead activities or trauma, can cause shoulder pain and weakness.
- Axillary Nerve: Another nerve in the shoulder that can be affected, leading to pain and weakness in the deltoid muscle.
Possible Symptoms:
- Sharp, burning, or shooting pain in the shoulder
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Muscle weakness in the shoulder or arm
What to Do:
It's crucial to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. They can conduct a physical exam and order imaging tests (like an MRI) to determine the cause of your nerve pain and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include:
- Rest
- Physical therapy
- Pain medication
- Injections
- Surgery (in severe cases)
