What causes referred pain in the left shoulder, and what should be done about it?
Pain with a pulling sensation in the left shoulder may be related to rotator cuff injury, periarthritis (frozen shoulder), tendinitis, and other causes. Treatment options include home care, physical interventions, and medication. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Rotator Cuff Injury
A rotator cuff injury refers to damage to the muscles and tendons around the shoulder, possibly caused by strenuous activity, overuse, or shoulder trauma. Clinical symptoms primarily include shoulder pain, weakness, and restricted movement. During the illness, patients should rest adequately and avoid excessive use of the shoulder. When necessary, applying heat therapy can help improve local soft tissue blood circulation and accelerate recovery.
2. Periarthritis (Frozen Shoulder)
This condition involves inflammatory irritation of structures surrounding the shoulder joint, including muscles, tendons, and bursae. Clinical manifestations typically include shoulder pain, stiffness, and a pulling sensation. Under medical guidance, patients may take anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications such as celecoxib capsules or indomethacin capsules, which can effectively relieve discomfort.
3. Tendinitis
Tendinitis refers to inflammation affecting muscles, tendons, bursae, and other structures around the shoulder, leading to symptoms such as shoulder pain, limited motion, stiffness, and a pulling sensation. During the illness, patients may follow medical advice to undergo physical therapies such as medium-frequency electrical therapy or ultrashort wave therapy for symptom improvement. If necessary, medications such as eperisone hydrochloride tablets or meloxicam capsules may also be taken under medical supervision.
In addition to the above common causes, left shoulder pulling pain may also be associated with conditions such as scapular fracture or cervical spondylosis. If the pain persists or worsens, patients are advised to seek timely medical evaluation and diagnosis to prevent rapid progression of the condition.