The following are locations of shoulder pain and their possible causes ^{1 2}:

• Pain in the front of the shoulder may indicate shoulder tendonitis, bursitis or a rotator cuff injury, frozen shoulder.
• Pain in the top of the shoulder may indicate shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff injury, acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries.
• Pain in the side of the shoulder may indicate rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, osteoarthritis.
• Pain behind the shoulder may indicate rotator cuff injuries, pinched nerve, or shoulder blade problems.
• Arm nerve pain may indicate a pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder.
• Collar bone pain may indicate a fracture or arthritis.
• Shoulder blade pain may indicate a muscle strain or injury.
• Trapezius pain may indicate a muscle strain or injury.