What could cause pain that radiates from the shoulder down to the hand?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain that radiates from the shoulder down to the hand is often caused by shoulder joint problems (such as rotator cuff injuries or tendinitis) or by pinched or irritated nerves in the neck (cervical radiculopathy). Identifying the source is essential, because treatment for a shoulder injury differs significantly from treatment for a nerve-related condition.

Since symptoms can overlap and self-diagnosis is difficult, the smartest next step is a free, instant, online symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll get personalized insights based on your specific symptoms, helping you understand possible causes and decide whether to see a doctor, which specialist to consult, and how urgently to act.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

What brings you in today?

Can I treat this myself Do I need to see a doctor Where should I go for care I'm concerned about a symptom Concerned about a possible condition My symptoms are getting worse Seeking a second opinion

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Pain that moves from the shoulder down to the hand can be due to different reasons. Shoulder problems can cause pain to spread to other areas. Common shoulder disorders might make pain travel down the arm.

Another reason could be cervical radiculopathy, which is a problem with the nerves in the neck. This can cause pain and tingling to go down the arm. A special sign, called the shoulder abduction relief sign, can help doctors figure out if cervical radiculopathy is the cause.

Lastly, pain and tingling in the arm might also come from different conditions. To help identify what might be causing your symptoms, you can use our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights and understand when you should seek medical care.

(References)

Bayam L, Ahmad MA, Naqui SZ, Chouhan A, & Funk L. (2011). Pain mapping for common shoulder disorders. American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.), 22013572.
Fast A, Parikh S, & Marin EL. (1989). The shoulder abduction relief sign in cervical radiculopathy. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 2719545.
Smith SM, McMullen CW, & Herring SA. (2021). Differential Diagnosis for the Painful Tingling Arm. Current sports medicine reports, 34524190.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.