Doctors Note Logo

Published on: 7/15/2026

What could be causing my inability to raise my arm without pain?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain when raising your arm is often linked to shoulder conditions such as adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), rotator cuff injuries, or tendinitis. In some cases, underlying factors like diabetes or prior radiotherapy treatments can increase your risk of developing these shoulder problems, as both are known to affect joint mobility and soft tissue health.

Because arm pain has many possible causes—ranging from minor strain to more serious conditions—it's important to identify what's driving your symptoms before deciding on next steps. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly narrow down potential causes based on your specific health profile, giving you clearer direction on whether to monitor at home, see a primary care doctor, or consult a specialist. It takes only a few minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary appointments.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

answer background

Important Next Steps

Learn causes of your arm painFind out if arm pain is seriousDiscover likely reasons for raised arm painSee OTC options for arm pain reliefFind an arm pain specialist near youUnderstand home remedies for arm painCheck if arm pain needs care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Having trouble raising your arm without pain can be caused by several issues. People with diabetes can experience shoulder problems, which might make it hard to move the arm comfortably. This is because diabetes can affect the tissues around the shoulder, leading to pain and stiffness.

Additionally, if you have had radiotherapy close to the shoulder, it can also lead to shoulder and arm problems. Radiotherapy can cause changes in the tissues and muscles, resulting in discomfort when moving the arm.

If you have diabetes or have undergone radiotherapy, these could be reasons for your shoulder pain. To better understand what might be causing your symptoms, try our free AI symptom checker and then discuss the results with a healthcare provider to find the right treatment.

(References)

  • Garcilazo C, Cavallasca JA, & Musuruana JL. (2010). Shoulder manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Current diabetes reviews, 20701586.

  • Little RA, & Stoner HB. (1981). Body temperature after accidental injury. The British journal of surgery, 7225735.

  • Deutsch M, & Flickinger JC. (2001). Shoulder and arm problems after radiotherapy for primary .... American journal of clinical oncology, 11319294.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

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.