- Acute trauma: fall, blow, dislocation
- Overload due to repetitive movements (e.g., sport, work)
- Long-term incorrect loading, poor posture, or muscular imbalances
- Degenerative processes and wear and tear
- Inflammatory or degenerative changes of the tendons, labrum, or bursa
- Poor circulation in pre-existing conditions
Shoulder pain can occur at any age, whether following an acute accident or due to gradual wear and tear. The shoulder is one of the most mobile and, at the same time, most complex joints in the body, stabilized primarily by muscles and tendons. Accordingly, it is susceptible to overload, poor posture, degenerative changes, or injuries from falls.
If shoulder pain persists, a thorough examination is worthwhile. This makes it possible to clearly determine the cause and select a targeted therapy.
As a shoulder specialist in Innsbruck, Dr. Gregor Pittl provides precise diagnoses with a clear, individually tailored treatment concept. He prefers conservative therapies and only recommends shoulder arthroscopy or other surgical measures when they are medically truly sensible and necessary.
Dr. Gregor Pittl
Medically reviewed by
Specialist in Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology
Dr. Gregor Pittl is a specialist in orthopaedics, orthopaedic surgery and traumatology and worked for ten years, most recently as a senior physician, at the University Clinic for Orthopaedics Innsbruck. His focus is on the conservative and surgical treatment of joint wear (arthrosis) as well as regenerative therapy methods such as ACP autologous blood therapy.
Last medically reviewed on 20. July 2026
More about Dr. Gregor Pittl
How do shoulder complaints arise?
Cause
Shoulder pain can occur acutely due to an accident or fall, or develop gradually, or become chronic, e.g., due to overload, wear and tear, or incorrect loading. Depending on the cause, the symptoms manifest differently: pain during movement, restricted mobility, instability, or weakness can indicate various affected structures. In physically active or manual workers, overload, tendon irritation, or micro-injuries are common.
In old age, degenerative changes in the shoulder also tend to increase.
Common causes can be:
Symptoms & Diseases of the Shoulder
Symptoms
Depending on the affected structure and severity, shoulder complaints can vary greatly. Some complaints become noticeable during certain movements, while others also appear at rest or at night.
Typical symptoms are:
- Pain when lifting, rotating, or extending the arm
- Restricted mobility or a “stiff” feeling in the shoulder
- Loss of strength, especially when lifting or carrying
- Pain at night, especially when lying on the shoulder
- Clicking, rubbing, or a “pinching” sensation during movement
- Swelling, overheating, or signs of inflammation
- Feeling of instability, as if the shoulder is “giving way”
- Pain radiating from the shoulder joint into the upper arm, neck, or back
Most common shoulder conditions:
Medical Conditions
- Calcific tendinitis
- Tendon tears of the rotator cuff, e.g., degenerative or after an accident
- Impingement syndrome & Subacromial pain syndrome
- Arthrosis in the shoulder joint
- Shoulder instabilities / dislocations
- Bursitis
- Cartilage damage or labral lesions
- Tendinopathies / Tendon irritation
- Injuries after a fall or direct blow (e.g., fractures, subluxations)
Diagnosis & Treatment by the Shoulder Specialist in Innsbruck
Treatment
Many shoulder conditions can be effectively treated conservatively in the early stages. To determine the cause and therapy options, Dr. Pittl, as a shoulder specialist in Innsbruck, takes time for a careful diagnosis.
This is done in three steps:
- Detailed anamnesis
- Clinical examination: mobility, stability, muscle status, functional tests
- Imaging procedures depending on suspicion: X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, to visualise joint, bones, soft tissues, and tendons
Treatment methods by Dr. Pittl – Shoulder Specialist Innsbruck
Depending on the diagnosis, Dr. Pittl, as a shoulder specialist in Innsbruck, prefers to rely on conservative and regenerative procedures. Possible therapies include:
- Physiotherapy & therapeutic training for stabilisation, strengthening, and mobilisation
- Gentle inflammation treatment for acute irritation
- For tendon problems: targeted load management, shockwave therapy or magnetic field therapy
- For cartilage or joint wear: joint-preserving therapies, anti-inflammatory measures, or supportive procedures
- If there is structural impairment, shoulder arthroscopy may be indicated. This is considered after careful evaluation and only when conservative therapies have been exhausted.
Your Shoulder Specialist in Innsbruck
Dr. Gregor Pittl
Many shoulder complaints can be significantly improved through a careful examination and an individually tailored therapy concept.
Contact us if you would like to have your shoulder pain clarified by shoulder specialist Dr. Pittl in Innsbruck. You are also welcome to make an appointment for a private consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consult an orthopaedist for shoulder pain?
If shoulder pain persists for more than a few days, occurs at night, restricts mobility, began after a fall, or causes loss of strength, an orthopaedic evaluation should be performed.
What is a rotator cuff tear and how is it treated?
A rotator cuff tear is a rupture of one or more shoulder muscle tendons. Depending on the extent, treatment is either conservative—using anti-inflammatory measures, physical therapy, and strengthening—or surgical, typically via shoulder arthroscopy for larger tears and persistent symptoms.
What is calcific tendinitis of the shoulder and how is it treated?
Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder (tendinosis calcarea) is a condition in which calcium deposits form in the tendons of the rotator cuff, usually in the supraspinatus tendon. Calcific tendinitis of the shoulder develops due to calcium deposits in a tendon of the rotator cuff, most commonly the supraspinatus tendon. This leads to pain and restricted mobility. Treatment is usually conservative, including shockwave therapy, anti-inflammatory measures, and physiotherapy.
Is shoulder surgery always necessary, or are there effective conservative therapies?
Surgery is not always necessary. Many shoulder conditions can be successfully treated conservatively, e.g., through physiotherapy, targeted strengthening, anti-inflammatory measures, or supportive procedures such as shockwave or magnetic field therapy.
Can I train despite shoulder pain?
Mild discomfort often allows for adapted training, as long as the exercises do not trigger or intensify pain. If there is significant restriction of movement, loss of strength, or pain under load, training should be paused and an orthopedic examination should be performed.
What does shockwave therapy do in the shoulder?
Shockwave therapy can relieve inflamed tendon structures, promote blood circulation, and stimulate tissue healing. It is often used for calcific shoulder, irritation of the rotator cuff, insertional tendinopathies, or impingement, and can significantly reduce pain.