Differential Diagnosis for Right Shoulder Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Rotator cuff tendinitis: This is the most common cause of shoulder pain, often resulting from overuse or repetitive strain on the rotator cuff muscles and tendons.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): Characterized by stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder, often following trauma or inflammation.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints and reduce friction, can cause pain and swelling in the shoulder.
- Shoulder impingement syndrome: Occurs when the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles become pinched or irritated, often due to poor posture or overuse.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on the joint cartilage can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in the shoulder.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Pulmonary embolism: Referred pain from a pulmonary embolism can manifest as shoulder pain, especially if the embolism is located in the upper lobes of the lungs.
- Myocardial infarction: In some cases, a heart attack can cause referred pain in the shoulder, especially on the left side, but it can also occur on the right side.
- Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung can cause sharp, stabbing pain in the shoulder and chest.
- Spinal cord injury or compression: Compression or injury to the spinal cord can cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the shoulder and arm.
- Rare diagnoses
- Septic arthritis: A bacterial or fungal infection within the shoulder joint, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Tumor: Primary or metastatic tumors in the shoulder region can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Brachial plexus injury: Damage to the nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder and arm can cause pain, numbness, and weakness.
- Referred pain from abdominal organs: Certain conditions, such as gallbladder disease or liver disease, can cause referred pain in the right shoulder.