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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Diseases & Conditions

What's Causing Your Shoulder Pain? Take the Quiz!

Wondering if you need shoulder surgery? Try this shoulder pain diagnosis quiz!

2-5mins
Profiles
Paper art illustration of a shoulder and quiz elements on sky blue background representing a shoulder pain quiz

This shoulder pain quiz helps you spot likely causes of your symptoms, such as rotator cuff strain or impingement. Answer quick questions, get simple tips on what to try and when to see a doctor; for more context, explore common sources of pain and review shoulder anatomy .

How did your shoulder pain first start affecting you?
Slowly developing stiffness and limited movement
After lifting something heavy suddenly
After repetitive overhead activities at work or play
Gradually over months without clear injury
With a swollen, tender bump at shoulder tip
Where do you feel the main discomfort in your shoulder?
Under the acromion, at the shoulder's highest point
Around the bony prominence, tender to touch
Deep inside the joint, feeling like bone-on-bone
All around, extremely hard to move in any direction
On the top outer part of your shoulder
Which movement makes your shoulder pain worse?
Leaning or sleeping on that shoulder
Reaching behind your back
Rotating your arm inward, like tucking in a shirt
Lifting your arm sideways past shoulder height
Almost any movement causes a deep joint ache
How would you describe your shoulder's range of motion?
Normal until you raise arm overhead then sharp pain
Almost full range, only painful at end-range lifting
Stiff and limited movement with occasional grinding sensation
Full movement but with tenderness on the outer shoulder
Severely reduced range, both active and passive almost locked
When is your shoulder pain most intense?
During weather changes or cooler days
Only when performing overhead tasks
After use or exercise, especially by day's end
When you press on the side or lie on it
All day, constant dull ache, worse at first movement
Do you notice any swelling or tenderness around your shoulder?
No obvious swelling, just deep muscle pain
Some bony prominence tenderness with decreased joint space
Mild tenderness under the bone when pressing
Noticeable swelling and warmth over the bursa area
No swelling but intense tightness in the capsule
Does your shoulder feel stiffer when you wake up in the morning?
Very stiff for 30+ minutes each morning
Feel stiffness that increases slowly over several hours
Slight stiffness but eases unless you lift overhead
Not really, stiffness goes away quickly with movement
Mild discomfort but no true stiffness present
Do you hear any clicking or grinding when moving your shoulder?
Rare clicking, mainly feel tenderness
Sometimes hear pops during active lifting
A catching or pinching sound when raising arm
Audible grinding or creaking with movement
Minimal noise but feels tight and restrictive
How does rest affect your shoulder pain?
Rest makes it feel stiffer and more painful when starting
Resting after overhead work reduces pinching pain
Rest relieves tenderness but swelling returns with use
Rest eases pain, movement triggers soreness
Rest helps slightly but pain persists as deep ache
How does gentle movement or stretching affect your pain?
Slightly improves stiffness but grinding remains
Sometimes relieves pinching, but overhead stretch hurts
Movement is painful both before and after stretching
Helps loosen muscle, eases discomfort
Feels good initially, but pressing on side hurts
Are you experiencing night pain that disrupts your sleep?
Yes, you wake stiff and cannot move arm well
Only when sleeping on painful side with arm slumped
No major night pain, just a constant dull ache
Yes, pressing shoulder against bed makes it worse
Yes, localized muscle ache wakes you up
Have you done repetitive overhead motions before pain started?
Not significantly, pain started without such activities
No, mostly normal daily activities without stress
Some, but not excessive overhead work
Yes, regular heavy lifting or sports activity
Yes, frequent overhead reaching or painting
What best describes your age group?
Over 65 years old
50 - 65 years old
Under 30 years old
30 - 40 years old
40 - 50 years old
Did you try applying heat or ice, and what happened?
Heat gives temporary relief but impingement feeling persists
Little change: deep ache persists after heat or cold
Heat application loosens muscles and reduces pain
Neither heat nor ice improve your stiff, locked shoulder
Ice packs reduce swelling and tenderness significantly
Have you ever been diagnosed with any shoulder joint degeneration or arthritis?
Yes, a doctor diagnosed shoulder osteoarthritis
No arthritis diagnosis, but you've had bursitis in the past
No, and this is your first major shoulder issue
No arthritis, but you were diagnosed with frozen shoulder before
No arthritis, but you've dealt with pinching pain before
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Profiles

These profiles help you match your shoulder pain quiz results with the most likely causes of your discomfort and offer actionable next steps. Use them to understand what is wrong with your shoulder and decide if you need further evaluation.
  1. Tendinitis Trigger -

    If you experience sharp pain when lifting your arm, you may be dealing with rotator cuff tendinitis. Gentle stretching, ice therapy, and modifying overhead movements can help calm inflammation. If pain persists, consult a physical therapist or revisit our shoulder pain diagnosis quiz for deeper insight.

  2. Frozen Sentinel -

    A stiff, achy shoulder that limits your range of motion could signal a frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Consistent, gentle range-of-motion exercises and heat therapy can restore mobility over time. If you're asking "what is wrong with my shoulder," seek guidance from a healthcare professional to avoid long-term stiffness.

  3. Impingement Indicator -

    Pain during overhead activities and tenderness at the top of your shoulder often point to shoulder impingement. Focusing on posture correction, strengthening your rotator cuff, and avoiding repetitive overhead motions can alleviate symptoms. Consider padding your workspace or taking breaks to prevent flare-ups.

  4. Instability Instinct -

    Feeling a sense of looseness or experiencing shoulder subluxations may indicate instability in the joint. Targeted stabilization exercises and avoiding extreme ranges of motion can build support around the shoulder. If you're wondering "do I need shoulder surgery," schedule an evaluation with an orthopedic specialist for personalized advice.

  5. Arthritic Alert -

    Gradual stiffness, grinding sensations, and pain that worsens with activity could be signs of early shoulder arthritis. Anti-inflammatory medication, controlled exercise, and lifestyle adjustments often improve function and comfort. For a definitive diagnosis, consult your doctor after taking our shoulder pain quiz.

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