I Have Been Having Shoulder Pain As Well As Periodic

Posted on Fri, 19 Oct 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having shoulder pain as well as periodic lower leg cramps.
I have liver cancer and have had resection surgery.
Is there any relationship to liver issues and the shoulder pain?
Thank you. XXXXXXX Denny

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
if it is the right shoulder, then it may be related

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

If the pain is in the right shoulder, then it is possible that it is related to the liver though conditions specific to the liver would need to be ruled out as well. The diaphragm overlies the liver,it is supplied by a nerve called the phrenic nerve, this nerve starts off from nerves in the neck region.

Because of this nerve, pain or irritation of the diaphragm can cause shoulder pain. Conditions affecting the liver can irritate the diaphragm.

If the pain is in the left shoulder then it is not likely related to the liver.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar