Understanding the 16 Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

16. Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis can happen to any bone and occurs when the blood supply to the bone is lost, whether temporarily or permanently. If avascular necrosis happens near a joint like the shoulder, the joint's surface may collapse.

This condition results from many things, including fractures, injuries, blood vessel damage, and long-term use of some medications. If avascular necrosis occurs in the humerus, the long bone in the upper arm, shoulder pain may be minimal at first, but it increases significantly as the joint and bone sustain more damage from lack of blood flow.