Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart

Front Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart

A. AC joint injury or arthritis

An acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury or arthritic changes—pain at top of shoulder, often from trauma or degeneration.

B. Biceps, anterior rotator cuff, SLAP tears, or joint inflammation

Includes biceps tendinitis or rupture, anterior rotator cuff issues (tears or impingement), SLAP lesions, bursitis.

C. Biceps issues, rotator cuff problems, frozen shoulder, or shoulder arthritis

Comprehensive mix—includes adhesive capsulitis (“frozen” shoulder) and glenohumeral arthritis presenting anteriorly.

D. Rotator cuff issues and frozen shoulder

Rotator cuff tendon injuries and adhesive capsulitis overlapping in anterior presentation.

E. Clavicle injury and trapezial tendinitis

Clavicle (collarbone) fractures or tendon inflammation at trapezius insertion.

F. Muscle strain or neck problems

Strain of front shoulder/neck muscles, or referred pain from cervical pathologies.

G. Sternoclavicular (SC) joint injury

Injury at the connection between sternum and clavicle—rare but typically painful near the front base of neck.

H. AC joint injury or arthritis

As in A—repeated to underscore common causes in front shoulder pain.

I. Rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, or shoulder arthritis

Again rotates through common anterior shoulder culprits like cuff tears and adhesive capsulitis.

Back Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart