The shoulder has one of the most flexible joints in the entire body. Its complex muscle structure allows you to perform different tasks every day with ease and comfort. But because of its broad range of motion and flexibility, the shoulder joint can become vulnerable to plenty of injuries and conditions that may initially present itself as shoulder pain.
Shoulder pain is a particularly common discomfort for most adults. In fact, studies suggest that almost 24.9% of women and 15.4% of men suffer from weekly episodes of shoulder aches.
A painful shoulder may arise from different conditions a muscle cramp, sprain, or pinched nerves. However, if the pain worsens specifically during nighttime, then the main culprit can be one of these three shoulder conditions: bursitis, tendinopathy, or rotator cuff injury.
Why do my shoulders hurt at night when I sleep on my side?
Sudden shoulder aches while asleep may happen every once in a while, especially if you slept in an awkward position the night before. But if the pain persists and gets worse every night, then it’s time to see your orthopedic specialist as this might pertain to several shoulder conditions, such as:
Bursitis
Shoulder bursitis occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs in the joints called bursa become inflamed. Normally, the bursa helps protect and cushion the joints by reducing friction between tissues during movement. But once it gets irritated, the bursa sac will swell, thus causing the following symptoms:
- Shooting pain in the affected shoulder
- Pain that worsens during movement or when pressure is applied, such as when you’re lying on your side.
- Localized tenderness.
- Difficulty in moving the affected shoulder joint.
Bursitis usually happens as a result of an injury or a repetitive motion that puts a lot of stress on the shoulder joint. Some examples include repeatedly lifting a heavy object overhead or a sport that overuses the shoulders.
Tendinopathy
Shoulder tendinopathy refers to a condition characterized by abnormal tendon condition in the shoulder. This can include:
- Tendinitis is an irritation or inflammation of the shoulder tendons (a tissue connecting the muscles to the bone).
- Tendinosis – a damaged tendon characterized by tiny tears, scarring, or hardening of the tissue. This occurs due to the degenerated collagen content of the tendon.
Like bursitis, shoulder tendinopathy can result from shoulder overuse, wear and tear from aging, or traumatic injury. Its most common symptom is pain, especially during movement or when sleeping on the injured side. You may also experience shoulder weakness, stiffness, and inability to move.
Injury to the rotator cuff
A rotator cuff is a group of muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. Its main function is to allow flexible motion in the shoulders while keeping the joint firmly in its socket. However, overuse or traumatic injury may cause these muscles to sustain partial or complete tears.
Some of the most common symptoms of a rotator cuff injury include:
- Shoulder pain that worsens when in motion, resting, or during the night.
- Clicking sound in the shoulder area.
- Swelling, stiffness, and weakness in the affected shoulder.
How do I stop my shoulder from hurting when I sleep?
Here are some ways to ease your shoulder pain and sleep comfortably at night.
- Look for a good sleeping position. Sleep on the other side of your shoulder to avoid putting weight on the painful shoulder joint. You can also try to avoid moving the affected shoulder so much by wrapping it in a sling. You may also put a pillow under the shoulder so you won’t accidentally roll on it while sleeping.
- Try home remedies. You can apply an ice pack to the painful area to help alleviate shoulder discomfort. Ice the area for 20 minutes to reduce inflammation and numb the pain.
- Use over-the-counter pain medications. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can help relieve your shoulder pain at night.
- Modify your activity. Avoid performing strenuous activities and tasks, especially before sleeping, since that might contribute to your shoulder aches.
These simple home remedies can quickly bring relief to your nighttime shoulder pains. But if the pain persists or becomes unbearable, it’s best to see an orthopedic specialist right away.
When should I worry about shoulder pain?
Persisting pain in the shoulder during motion, at night, or even when resting should not be a normal part of your daily life. So if you’re constantly suffering from such conditions, it’s time to look for the best South Florida orthopedics facility.
It’s best to seek an orthopedic doctor that specializes in shoulder care so they can properly diagnose your condition. Your doctor will review your medical history first and your current symptoms. They may also conduct a physical examination to check your range of motion, shoulder strength, or signs of inflammation and tenderness.
After that, your doctor will order radiographic tests, such as an X-ray or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and see the extent of the condition. Generally, doctors treat shoulder conditions using conservative methods first, then surgical options if necessary.
Non-surgical treatment
Mild to moderate symptoms of bursitis, tendinopathy, and rotator cuff injury usually gets relieved using arm slings, prescription medications (e.g., NSAIDs), or steroidal injections. Your doctor may also recommend combining drugs with physical therapy sessions.
Physiotherapy can help strengthen the muscles that surround the shoulder and improve its range of motion and flexibility. This can then help relieve pressure from the injury, thus alleviating pain and other symptoms.
If conservative treatment options don’t work or stop working anymore, then your doctor may resort to surgical solutions.
Surgical treatment
For bursitis – your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe therapy or provide a cortisone injection. Your doctor may also perform a subacromial decompression.
For shoulder tendinopathy – your surgeon can surgically remove the damaged tissues and repair the torn tendon.
For rotator cuff injuries – your physician can arthroscopically repair the damaged tendon and other muscle structures in the shoulder joint. For large tears, they may need to perform tendon transfer, shoulder replacement, or debridement of scar tissue.
Where to find the best shoulder specialist in Miami?
Our expert orthopedic specialists at South Florida International Orthopaedics can adequately evaluate and diagnose your shoulder condition. We will create a plan of care suitable for your medical needs and provide quality treatment services. We specialize in treating and providing care to several shoulder-related conditions, such as:
- Rotator cuff injury
- Shoulder bursitis
- Shoulder dislocation
- Labrum tears in the shoulder
- Clavicle fracture
- Shoulder arthritis
And more!
Visit the best Miami sports medicine center at one of our convenient office locations. You can also contact us at (305) 233-0011 to request an appointment or get in touch with one of our staff.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
