A burning sensation in the shoulder, often coupled with deep aching pain, suggests irritation beyond simple muscle soreness and often points toward inflammation or nerve involvement. The shoulder, or glenohumeral joint, sacrifices stability for a wide range of motion, making its network of tendons, fluid sacs, and nerves highly susceptible to injury. Understanding the source of this combined pain is the first step toward effective management and recovery.
Localized Inflammation and Friction
One common cause of a localized burning sensation is inflammation of the soft tissues designed to minimize friction within the shoulder. This pain is generally felt superficially and worsens with specific movements or when pressure is applied.
This discomfort often stems from bursitis, the inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions bones and tendons. When the bursa, particularly the subacromial bursa, becomes inflamed due to repetitive motion or overuse, it swells. The friction created as the shoulder moves can generate a warm, burning feeling in the immediate area.
A similar mechanism is involved in severe tendinopathy, which is the irritation of a tendon, frequently involving the rotator cuff group. Repetitive strain causes inflammation within the tendon structure, leading to swelling. As these inflamed tendons move within the joint, they rub against surrounding structures, and this mechanical irritation is perceived as a burning sensation, typically worsening with overhead movements.
Nerve Compression and Neuropathic Burning
The most intense and often radiating burning pain is frequently a sign of nerve irritation or compression, known as neuropathic pain. Unlike localized inflammation, this burning is often described as electrical, tingling, or sharp, and it can travel down the arm.
One primary source of this referred pain is cervical radiculopathy, or a “pinched nerve” originating in the neck. This occurs when a nerve root exiting the cervical spine is compressed by a herniated disc or bone spurs. The irritated nerve transmits pain signals that are referred down the pathway into the shoulder and arm, manifesting as a deep or spreading burning sensation. Certain neck positions, such as extending or turning the head, can intensify the shoulder burning.
A more localized source of nerve pain is suprascapular nerve entrapment. This nerve supplies sensation to parts of the shoulder and controls some rotator cuff muscles. It can become compressed as it passes through a narrow notch in the shoulder blade, often due to repetitive overhead activity. The resulting irritation causes a persistent, deep, aching pain in the back or side of the shoulder, often with a distinct burning quality.
Acute Structural Damage and Instability
Burning pain can also signal a sudden, traumatic injury that involves significant structural disruption and immediate inflammation. These acute events are distinct from the gradual onset associated with chronic inflammation or degenerative nerve conditions.
Acute rotator cuff tears, which often result from a fall or a sudden, forceful lifting motion, can produce intense pain that may be described as burning. The sudden tearing of the tendon fibers creates immediate, severe inflammation and swelling within the joint capsule. This severe inflammatory response, combined with the instability and loss of mechanical function, contributes to the intense, hot feeling.
Similarly, shoulder instability or subluxation, where the head of the upper arm bone partially slips out of the shallow shoulder socket, causes the joint capsule and surrounding ligaments to stretch violently. This event acutely irritates the entire network of soft tissues and can compress or stretch local nerves, resulting in a sudden, intense burning pain and a feeling of instability.
When to Consult a Medical Professional
While minor shoulder discomfort may improve with rest and ice, certain symptoms accompanying a burning shoulder pain warrant prompt professional evaluation. If the pain persists for more than a few days despite conservative measures or if it is progressively worsening, a medical assessment is necessary to determine the underlying cause.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if the pain is accompanied by “red flag” symptoms:
- Fever, significant swelling, or warmth and redness around the joint, which could suggest an infection.
- Pain that followed a significant trauma.
- The joint appears visibly deformed.
- Sudden, profound weakness or an inability to move the arm away from the body.
- Persistent night pain that prevents sleep is another indicator that a timely diagnosis, potentially involving imaging or a physical therapy referral, is required.