What Causes Increased Shoulder Pain While Lifting Heavy Objects?

Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015

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

Tue, 6 Oct 2015 Answered on

Tue, 27 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have shoulder pain and limited movement. Don't recall injuring it but have been doing some moving of boxes etc. When I lift my arm or reach side to side, I have intense pain. could it be rotator cuff?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bursitis more likely

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You have been doing some extra heavy lifting and this week you noticed increased shoulder pain. This is more than likely bursitis or inflammation of the tissues around the shoulder from over work and stress. A rotator cuff tear would be from a sudden direct trauma to the shoulder like throwing a ball or landing on the shoulder in an awkward position. There has to be some sudden force that would tear the tendons. In your case from your description there was no sudden onset more of a gradual onset after heavy lifting.

The treatment at this time would be rest and use of an anti-inflammatory like naprosyn for 7-14 days. If that does not help then possible steroid injection.

I hope this answers you question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions

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