Why does my shoulder make noises and cause pain when I move my arm, and what should I do about it?
Jun 05, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Clicking sounds and pain in the shoulder during arm movement may be caused by physiological factors, or by pathological conditions such as periarthritis or osteoarthritis. Targeted treatment should be provided based on the specific underlying cause. Besides the relatively common causes mentioned above, other possible reasons include subacromial impingement syndrome and labral tears of the shoulder joint. Patients experiencing discomfort symptoms should seek timely medical evaluation and diagnosis.
Clicking sounds and pain in the shoulder during arm movement may be caused by physiological factors, or by pathological conditions such as periarthritis or osteoarthritis. Patients should receive targeted treatment based on the specific underlying cause. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Physiological Factors
The shoulder joint contains a relatively enclosed cavity. During arm movement, significant pressure changes between the inside and outside of this cavity may produce clicking sounds and mild pain. This is considered a normal physiological phenomenon and generally does not require treatment.
2. Pathological Factors
1) Periarthritis (Frozen Shoulder)
Prolonged exposure of the shoulder to cold temperatures may lead to aseptic inflammation. Under the stimulation of inflammation, the aforementioned symptoms may occur during shoulder movement. Patients can take medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release capsules or celecoxib capsules under medical guidance for symptom relief.
2) Osteoarthritis
Damage to cartilage cells around the shoulder joint due to various factors may result in secondary bone proliferation, causing pain or grinding sensations around the joint. Treatment may include physical therapies such as ultrashort wave therapy or infrared radiation.
In addition to the above common causes, other conditions such as subacromial impingement syndrome or labral tears of the shoulder joint may also be responsible. Patients experiencing discomfort should seek timely medical evaluation and treatment to avoid disease progression.
