Is right shoulder pain an early symptom of liver disease?

Liver disease generally refers to disorders affecting the liver. Early symptoms of liver disease are typically not right shoulder pain; therefore, if a patient experiences right shoulder pain, it may indicate that the liver disease has already progressed to an advanced stage.

The liver is primarily located beneath the right rib cage and is one of the body's key metabolic organs. It contains numerous intercostal nerves. When inflammatory lesions occur, inflammatory mediators can stimulate the liver, causing localized pain. This pain is often referred (radiating) pain transmitted via the intercostal nerves, which may indirectly lead to right shoulder pain. However, in the early stages of liver disease, symptoms are usually limited to mild metabolic disturbances or chest tightness, without such prominent manifestations. Thus, the presence of right shoulder pain likely suggests late-stage disease, with inflammation having spread. In such cases, patients should promptly seek medical evaluation at a hospital to determine the specific type of liver disease and receive targeted treatment, avoiding inappropriate or self-medicated drug use.

If the right shoulder pain is severe, patients may, under medical guidance, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for symptom relief, such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, loxoprofen sodium sustained-release tablets, or diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets. Additionally, patients should avoid excessive stretching or strain on the shoulder area during illness, get adequate bed rest, and prevent muscle strain in the region, as these actions could otherwise exacerbate symptoms.