What are the potential causes of pain in the left shoulder?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Left shoulder pain is commonly caused by injuries (such as sprains, strains, or rotator cuff tears), nerve-related issues (like pinched nerves or referred pain), and conditions affecting the shoulder joint itself (including arthritis, bursitis, or tendinitis). In some cases, left shoulder pain may signal a more serious issue, such as a heart-related problem, so identifying the underlying cause is important.

Because left shoulder pain can stem from so many different sources—ranging from minor muscle strain to serious medical conditions—guessing at the cause can delay proper care. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you on the best next steps to take.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Pain in the left shoulder can come from many different causes. It might be due to injuries like sprains or strains, where the muscles or ligaments are hurt. Sometimes, the shoulder joint itself can be affected by conditions that make it hurt, even if the joint isn't damaged.

Possible Causes of Shoulder Pain:

Injuries:

Sprains or strains can happen if you hurt your shoulder while playing sports or doing other activities.

Joint Issues:

Sometimes, the shoulder joint can have problems that cause pain, even if there's no arthritis.

Nerve Problems:

Nerves in the shoulder can also cause pain if they are irritated or compressed.

These are just a few examples, and it's important to understand that shoulder pain can have different reasons. If someone is having a lot of pain, you can use this free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes, though it's always best to talk to a healthcare professional who can help figure out what's causing it and how to make it better.

(References)

Holmes RE, Barfield WR, & Woolf SK. (2015). Clinical evaluation of nonarthritic shoulder pain: Diagnosis .... The Physician and sportsmedicine, 25622930.
Meislin RJ, Sperling JW, & Stitik TP. (2005). Persistent shoulder pain: epidemiology, pathophysiology, .... American journal of orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.), 16450690.
Bateman JE. (1983). Neurologic painful conditions affecting the shoulder. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 6825345.

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