How common is shoulder pain?
Having a painful shoulder is common.
We don't know exactly how many people have shoulder pain. But we think that between 4 percent and 20 percent of people have pain in their shoulder at some time.1 2 3 4 5
About 4 million people see their doctor each year for shoulder problems.6
Women are slightly more likely than men to get shoulder pain.7
You're also more likely to get shoulder problems as you get older. People between 40 and 70 are most likely to have a frozen shoulder.8
Sources for the information on this page:
- Bergunnud H, Lindgarde F, Nilsson B, et al. Shoulder pain in middle age. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1988; 231: 234-238. 3370878
- McCormack RR, Inman RD, Wells A, et al. Prevalence of tendinitis and related disorders of the upper extremity in a manufacturing workforce. The Journal of Rheumatology. 1990; 17: 958-964. 2213764
- Allander E. Prevalence, incidence and remission rates of some common rheumatic diseases or syndromes. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1974; 3: 145-153. 4428194
- Badley EM, Tennant A. Changing profile of joint disorders with age: findings from a postal survey of the population of Calderdale, West Yorkshire, UK. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 1992; 51: 366-371. 1533506
- Andersson HI, Ejlertsson G, Leden I, et al. Chronic pain in a geographically defined general population: studies of differences in age, gender, social class and pain localisation. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 1993; 9: 174-182. 8219517
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Questions and answers about shoulder problems. Available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/index.htm (accessed on 21 November 2007).
- Chard M, Hazleman R, Hazleman BL, et al. Shoulder disorders in the elderly: a community survey. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 1991; 34: 766-769. 2053923
- Lundberg B. The frozen shoulder. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica. 1969; 119 (supplement): 1-59.
This information was last updated in Sep 01, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
