Physician-attested · free · no login
Rotator cuff tear, impingement, or frozen shoulder — they look identical to you and nothing alike to a surgeon. Knowing which one you have is the value. AI maps your pattern. A physician attests the plan.
Where pain appears as you raise your arm is a real clinical test — the painful arc. Sweep the arm, mark where it hurts, and see which structure that points to.
Drag the hand up and down to mirror raising your arm.
Raise your arm out to the side. As you sweep the handle, mark where pain starts and where it eases or stops.
Or, if the limit is not pain:
Five simple movements you can do right now. Each takes about 30 seconds. No equipment needed.
Stop if any movement causes sharp or severe pain. This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Raise your affected arm straight up, reaching as high as possible toward the ceiling.
Reach your affected arm behind your back and try to touch between your shoulder blades (as if reaching for a zipper).
Reach your affected arm across your chest to touch the opposite shoulder. Note any pain as you do this.
Hold your elbow at your side at 90 degrees (like you're carrying a tray). Rotate your forearm outward away from your body, as if opening a door.
Think about the last few nights. Are you able to sleep comfortably on your affected shoulder?
Ask anything about shoulder pain. Sage knows the evidence and routes you to the right care.
Shoulder pain looks similar on the surface. The underlying diagnosis changes whether you need PT, injections, or surgery.
Shoulder recovery is highly condition-specific. Select your diagnosis to see realistic milestones — so you know what to expect before you start treatment.
Conservative treatment — no surgery
70–90% of patients improve without surgery. Surgery (subacromial decompression) is reserved for 3–6 months of failed PT.
Week 1–2
Rest from aggravating overhead activities. Ice 15 min, 3× daily. Over-the-counter NSAIDs reduce acute inflammation. Avoid behind-the-neck exercises.
Week 2–6
Scapular stabilization, posterior capsule stretching, and posture correction. Rotator cuff external rotation strengthening with light resistance.
Week 6–12
Most patients reach 70–80% pain reduction. Overhead activity gradually reintroduced. Corticosteroid injection considered if pain persists at this point.
3–6 months
Return to all activities. 70–90% resolve without surgery. If pain persists beyond 3–6 months of structured PT, surgical evaluation is appropriate. (NICE 2023)
NICE Shoulder Pain Guideline 2023; AAOS Impingement Management
Ask Sage about your recoveryRecovery timelines are general estimates. Individual outcomes vary based on age, tear size, pre-operative function, and adherence to physical therapy. Consult your surgeon for a personalized plan.
Key information about shoulder conditions and treatment options.
Full-thickness rotator cuff tears affect 25% of people in their 60s and 50% of people in their 80s. Non-operative treatment succeeds in 59–85% of atraumatic full-thickness cases. Surgical repair provides better functional outcomes for acute traumatic tears and large tears causing significant weakness. The tendon takes 10–12 weeks to heal biologically — recovery cannot be rushed. (PMC11692865)
Jump to →Adhesive capsulitis progresses through three stages: freezing (6 weeks to 9 months), frozen (4–6 months), and thawing (6 months to 2 years). Total duration without treatment: up to 3 years. Corticosteroid injection during the freezing phase is the single most evidence-backed intervention. Diabetes significantly worsens prognosis and prolongs recovery. (AAOS OrthoInfo; StatPearls NBK532955)
Jump to →The most common cause of shoulder pain in adults. Tendons become pinched under the acromion during arm elevation, creating a painful arc between 60° and 120°. Strength is usually preserved — distinguishing it from rotator cuff tears. 70–90% of patients improve without surgery with structured PT focused on scapular stabilization and rotator cuff strengthening. (NICE 2023; AAOS CPG)
Jump to →Surgery is appropriate for: full-thickness rotator cuff tears with significant weakness in active patients; recurrent shoulder dislocations (Bankart repair restores stability in 80–90%); end-stage arthritis (shoulder replacement: 10-year survival above 90%); and impingement failing 3–6 months of PT. A good surgeon exhausts conservative options first. Diagnosis determines the operation — no single shoulder surgery fits all conditions.
Learn more →Evidence is strongest for scapular stabilization (lower trapezius, serratus anterior), posterior capsule stretching, and progressive rotator cuff strengthening. Avoid behind-the-neck exercises, sustained overhead positions, and sleeping on the affected side. For impingement, external rotation strengthening with light resistance produces the most consistent results. A therapist should assess whether active or passive motion is more restricted — this guides the protocol.
Learn more →Shoulder osteoarthritis is less common than knee or hip OA. Symptoms: progressive pain, grinding, and stiffness at the glenohumeral joint. Conservative management (PT, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections) should be maximized before surgery. Total shoulder replacement reduces pain dramatically, with 10-year implant survival above 90%. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is used when the rotator cuff is irreparably damaged — it actually requires less intact tissue than standard replacement.
Learn more →See a healthcare provider if you experience any of these warning signs.
Sudden inability to lift or rotate the arm after an injury
Shoulder pain that persists at rest or wakes you at night
Visible deformity or swelling of the shoulder
Shoulder pain with shortness of breath or chest tightness
Numbness or tingling running down the arm into the hand
Shoulder that feels like it slips out of place
Increasing weakness when lifting everyday objects
Fever or warmth around the shoulder joint
Not another symptom checker. A way to understand your shoulder and get to the right care.
No paywall, no login required. Start a conversation and get answers immediately.
Built on Claude, the most capable AI for healthcare reasoning. Evidence-based, not guesswork.
Talk naturally with Gemini voice. Describe your symptoms like you would to a doctor.
Install the MCP connector in Claude Desktop for persistent, personalized health intelligence.
When you need a specialist, we connect you to physicians who practice evidence-based care.
Many services qualify for pre-tax health spending. Your care can pay for itself.
Prepare before. Record after. Keep it forever in your ComfortCard.
What are you experiencing?
How long has this been going on?
Pain severity
5/10Real people who have been where you are. Real words. Real stories.
These are peer-to-peer stories, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Real-time search of every orthopedic surgeon in the United States. Powered by the CMS NPI Registry.
Products that help manage shoulder pain. HSA/FSA eligible items marked.
Cold therapy wrap for rotator cuff and shoulder inflammation
Physical therapy bands for shoulder strengthening
Over-door pulley for range of motion exercises
Helps maintain proper shoulder alignment
Electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief
Immobilization support during recovery
HSA/FSA eligible items can be purchased pre-tax. Learn more via ComfortCard
Add this to your Claude Desktop configuration. Get persistent, personalized shoulder pain intelligence that remembers your history and learns your needs.
"shoulderpain": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@anthropic-ai/mcp-remote",
"https://solvinghealth.com/mcp"]
}This site is one connector in a physician-governed health intelligence ecosystem.
For surgeons and patients seeking surgical evaluation. Evidence-based orthopedic surgeons, code transparency, and pre-authorization support.
For PT-appropriate cases and surgical recovery. Guided home exercise, adherence tracking, and remote therapeutic monitoring.
Home support after surgery. Worker-owned companion care for discharge recovery, HSA/FSA eligible, coordinated with your care team.
Your pattern determines the path — all physician-attested.
Large tear · failed PT · significant weakness
Connect with a surgeon who uses structured outcome tools — outcome scores before surgery, not just imaging findings.
SurgeonValue →Impingement · bursitis · early frozen shoulder
A rotator cuff strengthening program resolves 70% of impingement without surgery. CMS-tracked RTM included.
JointCoach →Post-repair recovery · older adults
Worker-owned companion care. Physician-backed LMNs unlock HSA/FSA for qualified recovery costs.
co-op.care →Is your shoulder treatment HSA-eligible? Check at hsaletter.com
Your next step
Many of the items your results point to are HSA/FSA-eligible. A physician-signed letter makes it official.
A physician-signed Letter of Medical Necessity unlocks HSA and FSA reimbursement for:
resistance bands, heat therapy, PT tools
Estimated annual tax savings
~$936 / year
Based on 22–32% combined federal/state bracket
Family care coordination built around your shoulder recovery needs — and a lot more:
Your first LMN letter is included with membership.
Not ready yet? Ask Sage a question instead
Powered by SolvingHealth
Evidence-based articles for patients who want to understand more.
Shoulder pain is extremely common and usually not serious. But several presentations require urgent or emergency evaluation.
Go to the emergency room for: shoulder pain after significant trauma with visible deformity (fracture or dislocation); a shoulder that is visibly "out of socket" and cannot be moved (acute dislocation requiring closed reduction); sudden severe shoulder weakness after a fall in a person over 55 (acute massive rotator cuff tear with pseudoparalysis); and shoulder pain accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw — these can be signs of a cardiac event, as heart attack pain frequently refers to the left shoulder and arm.
See your doctor within 1 week for: shoulder pain that started suddenly with a specific injury mechanism; new significant weakness when lifting the arm to the side or forward; shoulder swelling with fever (possible septic joint); or pain that was improving but has suddenly worsened.
Schedule a routine appointment for: pain that has persisted more than 4–6 weeks without improvement; night pain disrupting sleep; pain limiting overhead activities; or progressive stiffness suggesting early frozen shoulder.
Source: AHA Heart Attack Symptoms; AAOS OrthoInfo Shoulder Emergencies; Mayo Clinic Shoulder Pain Guidelines 2024.
Real questions patients ask about shoulder pain. Answers reviewed by Josh Emdur, DO, board-certified internal medicine physician.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Reviewed by Josh Emdur, DO
Board-certified internal medicine. Licensed in all 50 states. altru.care
Last reviewed: April 2025
Medical disclaimer: The information on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not replace a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Always consult your physician or another qualified health provider before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
Evidence-based guidance on shoulder recovery, PT exercises, and when to see a specialist — delivered directly to you.