Shoulder pain by age
Shoulder pain by age: Understanding the most common causes at every stage of life
- Sven Goebel
Table of Contents
“Shoulder pain doesn’t always require an injury to show up”
You’ve woken up, and the pain in your shoulder is impossible to ignore. Maybe it’s a sharp, stabbing ache, or perhaps it’s a dull throb that won’t go away. Whatever it is, it’s keeping you from sleeping, working, or enjoying your favourite activities.
“If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints I hear in my practice. What’s important to know is that shoulder pain often doesn’t require a traumatic injury to show up. Many of my patients say, “I don’t know what I did to cause this,” and the truth is, often the cause isn’t obvious. ”
Dr Sven Goebel | Shoulder Surgeon Perth
Your shoulder is a very complex joint, and shoulder pain can be caused by many factors, including inflammation, wear and tear, or underlying conditions.
To help you understand what might be going on, let’s look at how shoulder pain affects different age groups.
Causes of shoulder pain by age group
Teenagers and young adults (14–20 years old)
If you’re in this age group, shoulder pain is usually tied to sports or other physical activities. You might have fallen, taken a tackle, or simply pushed your body too hard.
- Shoulder dislocations: A common result of high-impact sports or awkward falls.
- Labral tears: Overhead activities like pitching, swimming, or gymnastics can strain and eventually damage the labrum, a cartilage ring that helps stabilise your shoulder.
- Stress fractures: Particularly in young athletes, growth plates can struggle to keep up with repetitive movements, leading to overuse injuries.
- Subacromial bursitis: Though uncommon in teenagers, it can develop due to repetitive overhead activities or heavy shoulder use, leading to inflammation of the bursa beneath the acromion.
Adults in their prime (20–40 years old)
You’re active, working hard, or perhaps juggling a young family. Shoulder pain in this age range often starts to shift from trauma to overuse and strain. Even simple movements, like lifting your child or carrying heavy bags, can take a toll.
- Subacromial bursitis/impingement: This is one of the most common shoulder issues in this age group. It occurs when the bursa or tendons under the acromion become inflamed, often due to repetitive overhead motions or poor posture. Symptoms include pain when lifting your arm or reaching overhead.
- Rotator cuff tendonitis: This can creep in if you’ve been hitting the gym or playing sports without proper warm-ups or technique.
- AC joint strain: If you’ve been weightlifting or had a fall, you might feel pain at the top of your shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.
- Labral tears: These are still common in people under 30, especially in those who engage in repetitive overhead activities.
Midlife and beyond (40+ years old)
This is when your shoulder starts to show signs of wear and tear from years of use. Even if you’ve never had an injury, everyday movements like reaching overhead or sleeping on your side can become painful.
- Frozen shoulder: If your shoulder feels stiff and painful, to the point where it’s hard to move, you might be dealing with adhesive capsulitis, which is more common after 40.
- Rotator cuff tears: These are often degenerative, meaning they happen slowly over time. You might feel pain lifting your arm or hear a clicking sound.
- Calcific tendonitis: Calcium deposits in the tendons can cause severe, episodic pain that can come and go unexpectedly.
- Shoulder arthritis: Over time, the cartilage in your shoulder joint can wear down, leading to stiffness, pain, and a grinding sensation when you move.
As you age, arthritis is more likely to cause shoulder pain. Whether caused by regular wear and tear, an old injury, or an underlying condition, shoulder arthritis can make everyday tasks much harder. Some common types include:
- Osteoarthritis: This “wear and tear” arthritis affects many people over 50, causing stiffness and reduced range of motion.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition that can inflame the joints, including the shoulder.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: This can develop years after an injury, such as a dislocation or fracture.
If you’re feeling pain or stiffness that makes even simple tasks challenging, it’s worth having a conversation about your options. There’s no need to live with discomfort.
Shoulder Specialist Perth
When should you see a shoulder specialist?
If your shoulder pain is interfering with sleep, work, or the activities you love, it’s time to get help. Pain that lingers for more than a few weeks or gets progressively worse shouldn’t be ignored. Getting the right diagnosis early can make all the difference.
Some patients worry that if they see me, I’ll immediately push them towards surgery. That’s not true at all. In fact, I often recommend starting with non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, rest, or injections, depending on your specific situation. Surgery is only considered when other options aren’t enough to get you back to feeling your best.
What can you do about shoulder pain?
Treatment depends on what’s causing your pain, but there are plenty of effective options:
- Rest and medication: Anti-inflammatories and activity modification can ease minor issues.
- Physiotherapy: Strengthening the muscles around your shoulder can improve stability and reduce pain.
- Injections: Cortisone or other treatments can help reduce inflammation for more severe pain.
- Shoulder surgery: If other treatments haven’t worked, minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy or a shoulder replacement can restore function and relieve pain.
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain, I’m here to help. Understanding what’s causing the problem is the first step towards getting back to the activities you love.