What are the red flags for shoulder pain?
Red flags include: Trauma, pain and weakness, or sudden loss of ability to actively raise the arm (with or without trauma): suspect acute rotator cuff tear. Any shoulder mass or swelling: suspect malignancy. Red skin, painful joint, fever, or the person is systemically unwell: suspect septic arthritis. One of the most alarming red flags for shoulder pain is the sudden onset of severe pain, mainly if it follows an injury or trauma. This could indicate a fracture, dislocation, or a severe tear in the rotator cuff.