Emergency signs first. Call 911 now if:
- Shoulder or arm pain comes with chest pressure or discomfort, shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness (possible heart attack)
- After a fall or a blow, the shoulder looks out of place or deformed, or you cannot move the arm (possible dislocation or break)
988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: confidential, any hour, by call, text or chat, including when you are worried about someone else. This page cannot see or answer an emergency.
Bring this to the shoulder visit
A short visit goes further with specifics: what the shoulder stops you doing, a week of numbers, and what you already tried.
Get seen today, at your doctor, urgent care or an ER, if
- The shoulder is hot, swollen and very painful, especially with a fever (a joint infection needs fast care)
- Sudden weakness after a fall or a pop: you cannot lift the arm
How this works, and what it cannot do
- It stays on this device. What you tick or type is kept in this browser only. Nothing is sent to us or anyone. Clear it with one button at the bottom.
- It is a list to talk from, not a diagnosis. No one reviews it. Your clinician decides what it means.
- About five minutes. Tick what fits, fill a few lines, pick three or four questions, then print it or save it as a text file.
Next stops
Practice the visit firstRehearse describing the pain, and weighing a cortisone shot. Scripted, on this device.Take the 5-movement screenerMap your pain pattern on our homepage before the visit.Mechanical or inflammatory? arthritisrisk.comTen questions that sort the pattern of joint pain and point to the right specialist.If surgery comes up: surgeryprocess.comPlain-language guides for before, during and after orthopedic surgery.
Sources
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Rotator Cuff Tears (checked 2026-09-29)
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems (checked 2026-09-29)
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Shoulder Dislocation (checked 2026-09-29)
- American Heart Association: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack (checked 2026-09-29)
- MedlinePlus: Septic arthritis (checked 2026-09-29)
- National Institute on Aging: How To Prepare for a Doctor’s Appointment (checked 2026-09-29)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (checked 2026-09-29)