Shoulder Pain Self-Diagnosis
We'll guide you to a possible diagnosis based on your symptoms
Enter your age and symptoms to analyze possible causes of shoulder pain. It takes about 3-5 minutes.
Basic Info
Enter your name and age
Symptom Screening
Screen for cervical and instability issues
Stiffness Test & Detailed Diagnosis
Check range of motion and explore causes
Important Notice
This program cannot replace a medical professional's diagnosis. Results are for reference only. Please consult a specialist.
This self-diagnosis program is a reference tool that estimates likely conditions based on your symptoms. It cannot replace medical diagnosis. For accurate assessment and treatment, you must consult an orthopedic specialist (shoulder subspecialty) and undergo imaging tests (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, etc.).
Not sure where your shoulder pain is coming from?
Pain only at a certain angle when you raise your arm, pain that keeps you awake at night, or an arm that will not reach behind your back — shoulder pain has many different causes. Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), rotator cuff tears, impingement syndrome, calcific tendinitis, AC joint arthritis and even cervical disc disease can all feel surprisingly similar.
This tool follows the same interview sequence an orthopedic shoulder specialist uses in clinic. Enter your age, answer the symptom checklists, then perform two range-of-motion tests (external rotation and passive forward elevation) comparing both arms. It takes about 3-5 minutes.
Conditions this tool helps differentiate
- Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) — gradual stiffening without a clear cause
- Secondary stiffness — stiffness that followed another shoulder problem
- Rotator cuff tear — weakness, or the arm dropping without control
- Rotator cuff disease / impingement — pain between 60 and 120 degrees of elevation
- Acute calcific tendinitis — sudden, severe pain
- Chronic calcific tendinitis — pain that comes and goes
- Degenerative shoulder arthritis — grinding sensation with gradual progression
- AC joint arthritis — a bump at the end of the collarbone that hurts when pressed
- Shoulder instability — a feeling that the shoulder may dislocate
- Cervical disease (neck disc) — numbness radiating below the elbow
- Myofascial pain syndrome — pain from muscles around the shoulder blade
Frequently asked questions
Which specialist should I see for shoulder pain?
For problems in the shoulder joint itself, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder is the right choice. However, if numbness travels below your elbow or the pain eases when you lie down, the source may be your neck, which calls for a spine specialist. This tool screens for cervical involvement in its very first step.
How do I tell frozen shoulder from a rotator cuff tear?
The key is stiffness. If your arm still will not rise as far as the healthy side even when you lift it with your other hand, stiffness is present and adhesive capsulitis is more likely. If the arm goes all the way up when assisted but hurts in specific positions, a rotator cuff problem is more likely. Compare both sides in a mirror or a photo — most people overestimate their range.
Why does my shoulder hurt more at night?
Night pain is very common in rotator cuff disease and in a stiff shoulder. Lying down changes pressure inside the joint, and rolling onto the painful side or letting the arm fall backwards makes it worse. Persistent night pain is worth evaluating.
What does pain only at a certain angle mean?
Pain between roughly 60 and 120 degrees of elevation that eases at the top is called a painful arc. It often reflects the rotator cuff tendon impinging under the acromion, suggesting impingement syndrome or rotator cuff disease.
Can a neck disc cause shoulder pain?
Yes. Cervical disease is a common cause of shoulder pain. Suspect it if pain worsens when you tilt your head back or turn toward the painful side, eases when you raise your arm overhead, is milder lying down, or if numbness reaches your elbow or fingers.
How reliable is this self-diagnosis?
This program estimates likely conditions from your symptoms and is for reference only — it cannot replace a medical diagnosis. An accurate assessment requires examination by an orthopedic specialist along with imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.