To move your shoulder joint, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones all have to move in a synchronized and stable pattern. Because of this, subtle abnormalities can lead to shoulder pain and discomfort when you are throwing or afterward.
Shoulder blade pain is commonly caused by a muscle strain but can also arise from rotator cuff tears, joint conditions like osteoarthritis, and acute shoulder injuries. In rare cases, the pain may signal a severe condition, like a heart attack or cancer.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known for causing all-over inflammation and pain. It happens when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the synovium, the lining of the joints. RA can target the synovial lining of the shoulder joint.
Armpit pain can have many causes, ranging from injuries and irritants to infections that cause swollen lymph nodes. Less commonly, the pain—referred to as axillary pain—may be due to an autoimmune or arterial disease, nerve compression, and malignancies like breast cancer.
A rotator cuff repair is a procedure in which torn tendons and/or muscles surrounding the shoulder are surgically fixed. Rotator cuff tears can cause pain and weakness.1 Sometimes these tears can heal without surgery, but severe rotator cuff damage can be permanent without surgical intervention.
