The deltoid is a large, triangle-shaped muscle that supports movement and stability of the shoulder joint. This muscle covers the upper arm and forms the rounded outline of the shoulder. The deltoid muscle is responsible for arm movements such as lifting, rotating, and swinging.
Problems with the deltoid muscle can affect the range of motion and function of the arm, making daily activities such as getting dressed, carrying groceries, and reaching overhead difficult. Deltoid pain is most often caused by damage to the muscles or surrounding structures, including nerves, bones, and tendons.
If deltoid pain is interfering with your daily life, seeking treatment may be the first step toward a solution. By understanding the causes of deltoid pain and finding the most effective treatment, you can restore arm function and expect a speedy recovery.
The deltoid is made up of three parts: anterior (front), lateral (lateral), and posterior (posterior) deltoid. Each part contributes to different arm movements.
- Anterior (front) deltoid: Raise your arms forward.
- Lateral (middle) deltoid: Move your arms outward and away from your body.
- Posterior (posterior) deltoid: extend your arms back
Damage to any of these three areas can cause deltoid pain. Pain may also be caused by injury or problems with nearby structures, including tendons, nerves, joints, or blood vessels.
Deltoid pain can make it difficult to lift or move your arm, and the pain can increase dramatically when you press on certain points within the muscle. Depending on the area affected and the underlying cause, deltoid pain may feel like:
- sick
- soreness
- Sharp or stinging sensation
- burning
- gnaw
- tingle
- tenderness
Deltoid pain is usually caused by damage to the muscle or surrounding structures. These may include muscle strains, nerve damage, or rotator cuff problems.
muscle tension
A deltoid strain occurs when the muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. Strenuous movements, such as lifting heavy objects with incorrect posture or falling with outstretched arms, can cause sudden muscle strain. It may also develop gradually due to repetitive movements and overuse, such as playing sports or performing exercises that place excessive stress on the deltoid muscles.
Deltoid strains are most common in athletes and people who engage in repetitive activities involving the deltoid muscles, such as lifting heavy objects or frequently reaching overhead. Symptoms of deltoid strain include:
- Dull, aching pain that gets worse with certain movements or activities
- muscle pain or stiffness
- Cramps or convulsions
rotator cuff injury
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that cover the top of the humerus (humerus bone) and attach to the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears, which occur when one of the rotator cuff tendons separates from the arm bone, are a common cause of deltoid pain.
A rotator cuff tear limits the shoulder's range of motion, forcing the deltoid muscles to work harder to keep the shoulder moving and compensate for the loss of rotator cuff function. This can cause deltoid pain, stiffness, and pain. Rotator cuff injuries typically occur due to natural wear and tear due to overuse or aging. Symptoms of this type of injury include:
- Pain when resting or lying on the affected shoulder
- Pain during certain activities, such as raising or lowering your arm
- arm pain or weakness
- crepitusOr, you may experience a crackling or clicking sensation when you move your shoulder.
axillary nerve damage
The axillary nerve supplies sensory and motor function to the deltoid muscle. Damage to the axillary nerve can result from injuries such as shoulder dislocation, humerus fracture, or surgery. This type of injury can also be caused by improper use of crutches or a systemic (whole body) health condition that causes nerve inflammation.
Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, symptoms may include:
- Numbness or tingling in the deltoid muscle
- Sharp, shooting pain in the shoulder
- Limited range of motion in the affected arm
- Muscle weakness, especially during certain movements, such as lifting your arms
deltoid tear
A deltoid tear is a rare but serious injury in which the deltoid muscle is completely or partially torn from its attachment to the shoulder, collarbone, or scapula. Symptoms of a deltoid tear include:
- Severe, sharp shoulder pain with a tearing or popping sound
- Swelling, fever, and redness of the shoulder
- Arm weakness or inability to raise or move the arm
- Noticeable depression or deformity of the affected shoulder
shoulder impingement syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the tendons inside the shoulder rub against nearby bones and soft tissues, causing pain. Pain associated with shoulder impingement typically occurs in the lateral (middle) and anterior (front) portions of the deltoid muscle.
Repetitive overhead movements such as swimming, baseball, tennis, painting, and lifting can cause shoulder impingement syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain radiating from the front of the deltoid muscle to the side of the arm
- Pain that suddenly gets worse when lifting or reaching overhead
- aching pain at night
- arm weakness
- Limited range of motion in the affected arm
- Difficulty reaching above your head or zipping or buttoning clothes.
Some deltoid pain can be resolved with self-care measures such as rest and ice. Nonetheless, it is important to see your health care provider if your pain:
- Feels severe or lasts longer than 1 to 2 weeks
- Interferes with daily activities or causes sleep deprivation.
- This may be accompanied by weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arm.
- It occurs with swelling, bruising, and redness in the shoulder area.
- After a recent injury, fall, or surgery
Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe or sudden deltoid pain, fever, or noticeable deformity of the shoulder that occurs after an accident or fall.
If you decide to see a health care provider because of your pain, it may be helpful to know what to expect at your appointment. Diagnosing the cause of deltoid pain requires a review of your medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests. Your health care provider will begin by reviewing your medical history and asking questions about your symptoms, including:
- Have you had a recent or past shoulder injury?
- What does your pain feel like?
- When did the pain start?
- Are there any activities or movements that make your pain worse or relieve it?
- Do you live with an underlying condition (such as arthritis) that may affect the function of your joints, muscles or bones?
Once you learn more about your symptoms, your health care provider will perform a physical examination to check for signs of injury, such as swelling, tenderness, or deformity of the deltoid muscle and shoulder. They may ask you to move your arm in certain ways to test the range of motion and strength of your shoulder.
Depending on what they observe during your physical examination, your health care provider may order diagnostic tests to provide an accurate diagnosis. These tests may include:
- X-ray: Images of the shoulder blade are taken to check for injuries such as joint dislocations or fractures.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: Multiple X-rays are combined with computer technology to create detailed images of the deltoid muscle and surrounding bone and soft tissue to diagnose injuries.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: Detailed images of the deltoid muscle and surrounding structures are created to identify and diagnose injuries or nerve compression.
- Electromyography (EMG): The electrical activity of the axillary nerve and deltoid muscle is measured at rest and during exercise to check for muscle or nerve damage.
Fortunately, several treatments can help relieve deltoid pain. Treatment for deltoid pain depends on the cause of your symptoms and the severity of the condition. Typically, your health care provider may recommend home remedies, medical intervention, or a combination of the two.
home remedies
Self-care strategies can help relieve deltoid pain. In most cases, home remedies may be enough to reduce pain while you wait for your injury to heal. These include:
- remain: Activities that cause shoulder pain should be avoided to allow the muscles to heal and prevent further damage.
- Ice and heat: Apply an ice pack to the deltoid muscle for 15 minutes at a time, followed by several days of cold therapy, and then use a heating pad to increase blood flow to the deltoid muscle.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: Take medications such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen) to help reduce pain and inflammation, or try the Salonpas (capsaicin) patch, which can relieve muscle pain when applied directly to the shoulder.
- Gentle stretching: Try gentle stretches to help improve shoulder flexibility and range of motion.
- Good posture: Maintain good posture to reduce strain on the deltoids and surrounding ligaments and tendons.
medical treatment
Medical treatment may help relieve deltoid pain for more serious injuries or severe pain when home remedies do not work. Your provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Prescription medications: Stronger painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve more severe deltoid pain.
- Physiotherapy (PT): A physical therapist can help you perform exercises to improve the strength, flexibility, and stability of your deltoids and shoulders to prevent further injury.
- Corticosteroid injections: Injecting corticosteroids directly into the deltoid muscle or surrounding area can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- surgery: Some injuries, such as deltoid tears, rotator cuff tears, or shoulder impingement, may require surgery to repair damaged deltoids or address the cause of deltoid pain.
In most cases, deltoid pain is caused by damage to surrounding structures, such as muscles, ligaments, bones, or shoulder nerves. Deltoid pain often responds well to home remedies, including rest, ice, and gentle stretching.
However, if your pain is severe or persistent, your doctor may recommend medical treatment, such as medication, physical therapy, or surgery, to help you recover.