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Published on: 7/15/2026

Why does my shoulder hurt when I raise my arm?

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Shoulder pain when raising your arm is often caused by shoulder impingement or a rotator cuff tear—two of the most common shoulder conditions. Shoulder impingement occurs when tendons become pinched between the bones of the shoulder during arm movement, leading to inflammation and pain. A rotator cuff tear involves damage to the muscles or tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint, often resulting from overuse, injury, or age-related wear.

Other possible causes include bursitis, tendinitis, frozen shoulder, or arthritis. Symptoms may include sharp pain, weakness, limited range of motion, or a clicking sensation when lifting your arm.

Because these conditions share overlapping symptoms but require different treatments, identifying the underlying cause early is important. Delaying care can lead to worsening pain, reduced mobility, and longer recovery times. The fastest way to understand what may be behind your shoulder pain—and what to do next—is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. In just a few minutes, you'll gain personalized insights to help guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing shoulder painDiscover if raising-arm pain needs careSee if it could be a serious issueFind OTC options for shoulder painFind a doctor for shoulder painUnderstand safe home remedies for shoulder painFind likely causes of your shoulder pain

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Explanation

Shoulder pain when lifting your arm can occur for several reasons. One common cause is shoulder impingement, where the shoulder bones press on the tendons or bursa, causing pain. This can sometimes even cause neck pain as well. Another reason could be a rotator cuff tear, where some of the muscles and tendons that rotate your shoulder in place are damaged. The size of the tear can affect how much pain you feel and how much you can move your shoulder.

There are also specific conditions related to other health issues, like diabetes, that can cause shoulder pain. People with diabetes are prone to getting "Frozen Shoulder." This is a condition where the shoulder's range of motion becomes progressively more limited and painful.

If you experience shoulder pain, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify possible causes and determine when to seek care from a healthcare professional.

(References)

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

  • Gorski JM, & Schwartz LH. (2003). Shoulder impingement presenting as neck pain. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 12672838.

  • Gumina S, Arceri V, Carbone S, Albino P, Passaretti D, Campagna V, et al. (2013). the influence on rotator cuff tear sizes. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 22748932.

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