The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body — which makes it particularly susceptible to wear, injury, and inflammation. When you wake up with shoulder pain that persists through the day, your body is telling you something important.
Common Causes of Persistent Shoulder Pain:
1. Rotator Cuff Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Often caused by repetitive overhead activity or prolonged poor posture. Pain typically worsens with arm elevation.
2. Subacromial Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sac) that cushions the rotator cuff. Causes a dull aching pain that can worsen at night and with certain sleeping positions.
3. Rotator Cuff Tear: Partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff tendons. Can develop gradually from chronic wear or suddenly from injury. Characterized by weakness, especially when lifting the arm.
4. Shoulder Impingement: The rotator cuff tendons get pinched between the bones when raising the arm. Produces a painful arc of movement, typically between 60–120 degrees of elevation.
When to See a Specialist:
• Pain that is severe and constant
• Swelling or visible change in shoulder shape
• Numbness or tingling radiating down the arm
• Inability to raise the arm or significant weakness
• Pain that persists beyond 2–3 weeks despite rest
Dr. Mohamed Masoud at Bone Art Clinic uses arthroscopic assessment and targeted imaging to identify the exact cause of your shoulder pain — and to determine the most effective treatment path, from physiotherapy to minimally invasive arthroscopic repair.
