What's wrong with the pain in the deltoid muscle of the arm

Pain in the deltoid muscle of the arm may be related to factors such as muscle strain, shoulder periarthritis, cervical spondylosis, tendinitis, calcified tendinitis, etc. Deltoid pain is usually caused by overuse, poor posture, trauma, or degenerative changes, and can be improved through rest, physical therapy, medication, and other methods.

1. Muscle Pulling

Pain in the deltoid muscle area is common in muscle strains caused by sudden exertion during exercise or labor. Manifested as local swelling, pressure pain, and restricted mobility. During the acute phase, activity should be stopped and ice should be applied. In the later stage, recovery can be promoted through hot compress and gentle stretching. Avoid repetitive high-intensity upper limb exercises in the short term.

2. Shoulder periarthritis

Inflammation around the shoulder joint may radiate to the deltoid muscle area, especially common in people around 50 years old. Typical symptoms include nighttime pain and difficulty lifting the arm. It is recommended to undergo rehabilitation training such as pendulum movement, and in severe cases, joint cavity injection therapy may be necessary. Keeping the shoulders warm for a long time can help prevent recurrence.

3. Cervical spondylosis

When the cervical nerve root is compressed, it can cause referential deltoid pain, often accompanied by neck stiffness and upper limb numbness. Correcting the posture of lowering the head and using cervical pillows can alleviate symptoms. Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy may require traction therapy, and sudden head turning movements should be avoided in daily life.

4. Tendinitis

Repeated friction of the deltoid muscle tendon may lead to aseptic inflammation, which is common among enthusiasts of over the top sports such as swimming and badminton. Pain intensifies when force is applied at a specific angle. During the acute phase, immobilization and rest should be applied, while during the chronic phase, eccentric training can be performed to strengthen the tendons. Adequate warm-up before exercise can effectively prevent it.

5. Calcifying tendinitis

is a chemical inflammation caused by the deposition of calcium salts in the tendon, resulting in persistent pain that worsens at night. Ultrasound examination can provide a clear diagnosis, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy has a decomposing effect on calcified lesions. During the attack period, the weight-bearing capacity of the affected limb should be restricted, and supplementing with vitamin D may help regulate calcium metabolism. When experiencing deltoid pain, accompanying symptoms should be observed. If it persists for more than two weeks or is accompanied by fever or joint deformities, timely medical attention should be sought. Pay attention to adjusting the height of the workbench in daily life to avoid shrugging posture, and avoid compressing the affected side during sleep. Low intensity exercises such as shoulder wrap and wall crawling can be performed to maintain joint mobility, and muscle patches can be worn for support during exercise. Moderate increase in high-quality protein and vitamin C intake in diet promotes muscle repair.