Trapped Nerve in Shoulder — Or Is It Your Spine?
Understanding the Neurological Causes of Shoulder and Arm Pain
Experiencing shoulder pain, tingling down your arm, or weakness in your hand? You might assume it’s an inflamed muscle or tendon in the shoulder — but in many cases, the true source lies in your neck, not your shoulder joint.
A pinched nerve in the shoulder, or nerve entrapment, may actually be caused by nerve root compression in the cervical spine — where nerves exit the spinal cord and travel into the shoulder and arm. Understanding the difference is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Is It Really a Shoulder Problem — Or a Spinal One?
Many people search for answers about a trapped nerve in shoulder, not realising that what they’re experiencing could be the result of radiculopathy or compression neuropathy. Nerves exiting cervical spine from the C5–C7 supply sensation and control to the shoulder, arm, and hand.
When these nerves are compressed — by a herniated disc, bone spurs, tumour or degenerative changes — it can mimic or cause shoulder pain, even though the shoulder itself may be structurally sound.
Common Causes of Nerve-Type Pain
Nerve-related symptoms are frequently caused by:
Muscle tightness or spasms that put pressure on a spine and a nerve
A pinched nerve from a bulging or herniated disc
Poor posture or repetitive motion (e.g. desk work or driving)
Cervical radiculopathy or lumbar radiculopathy from ageing discs
Dysfunction involving peripheral nerve pathways such as the ulnar nerve or median nerve
These symptoms often reflect a common type of nerve irritation and may be experienced as electric, burning, or "shooting" pain.
Warning Signs It’s Neurological
While many nerve issues improve with conservative treatments, such as physical therapy or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, others are more serious. Watch out for:
Weakness in the arm, hand, or leg
Difficulty using your hand (e.g. gripping, buttoning a shirt)
Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation in your fingers
Worsening balance, especially when walking
Aching at the base of the skull or neck pain, and worsening pain when mobilising
Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek immediate help)
Back spasms, stiffness, or unexplained discomfort at rest
How a Trapped Nerve Affects Daily Life
The impact of a trapped nerve in shoulder or neck-related nerve pain goes beyond discomfort. Many patients find:
Their ability to concentrate at work declines due to constant pain or tingling
Sleep becomes disrupted due to night-time discomfort in the arm or neck
Everyday tasks such as driving, lifting, or typing become difficult
There’s a gradual loss of confidence in movement, fearing further damage
Left untreated, even minor nerve symptoms can evolve into chronic problems, affecting emotional well-being, work productivity, and long-term mobility.
When to See a Specialist — and Which One
You might begin with your GP, physiotherapist or osteopath — and for minor musculoskeletal strain, that can be helpful. But when symptoms persist or involve nerve compression, radiating arm pain, or weakness, it’s crucial to escalate your care to someone with specialist neurological expertise.
Mr Gordan Grahovac, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Complex Spinal Surgeon in London and Kent, is uniquely trained to manage the types of conditions that cause trapped nerve symptoms, particularly those involving nerve root compression, disc disease, and spinal stenosis.
“By the time patients reach me, their condition has often significantly progressed. They’ve received in many instances conservative treatments without proper diagnosis on the first instance — they then usually failed treatment because compression of the cord and nerve root was so great that spontaneous recovery is unlikely with conservative treatmen”
If your pain hasn’t resolved — or you’re worried about worsening symptoms — it may be time to see a complex spine surgeon with neurosurgical expertise. While Mr Grahovac treats patients in London and Kent, many individuals travel from further afield to receive his opinion and care.
The right diagnosis, from the right expert, can make all the difference.
Diagnosis to Recovery — How it Works
Diagnosing your Condition
Diagnosis typically involves:
A comprehensive neurological exam
MRI to detect compression of the spinal cord or nerves
Occasionally, EMG or nerve conduction studies — especially useful in diagnosing types of radiculopathy
CT and flexion and extension x-images of cervical spine
The key is early detection — especially for patients at risk of cord compression or with progressive nerve damage.
Tailored Treatment Options
Not all patients require surgery. But when symptoms don’t improve — or when there is risk of nerve damage — treatment options may include:
Steroid injections to reduce inflammation, and make symptoms bearable until disc herniations shrinks
Targeted physical or osteopathic therapy tailored to nerve-related symptoms
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain and swelling
Lifestyle adjustments and other conservative treatments such as postural correction or activity modification
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion – removing the damaged disc to decompress the nerve, replacing disc with cage and plate
Cervical disc replacement - removing damaged disc to decompress the nerve or cord and replacing it with prosthesis to maintain the movement on the operated level
Laminectomy – removing small sections of bone and ligament to relieve nerve or spinal cord compression
Laminectomy and posterior instrumentation - removing sections of bone and ligament to relieve nerve or spinal cord compression in case of cervical deformity or instability
Posterior cervical foraminotomy - removing small section of bone and ligament over the nerve root
Cervical corpectomy surgery – easing nerve root and spinal cord pressure and replacing the vertebral body with cage and plate
These surgical treatments are performed under general anaesthetic, using modern techniques designed to reduce tissue disruption, support quicker recovery time, and improve long-term outcomes.
Recovery and Pain Management
A well-planned procedure from a complex spine specialist offers:
Shorter hospital stays
Less tissue trauma
Faster return to activity
Post-surgical recovery includes:
Personalised pain management
Ongoing physiotherapy
Education to prevent recurrence
In some complex surgeries, your surgeon may use bone grafts or implants to support unstable spinal segments and maintain alignment.
Final Thoughts
A trapped nerve in the shoulder is a common concern — but often, the real issue lies deeper in the spine. Whether it's a pinched nerve, nerve compression, or signs of radiculopathy, early and accurate diagnosis is key.
If you’re experiencing shoulder or arm pain, weakness, or ongoing symptoms that haven’t resolved with standard care, it’s time to speak to a specialist. A complex spine surgeon with neurosurgical expertise, like Mr Gordan Grahovac, can offer a clear diagnosis and advanced treatment options to support long-term recovery.
Book a Consultation
Mr Grahovac treats a wide range of conditions involving the spinal cord, nerve roots, and complex spinal structures. He performs over 300 spinal operations a year and is one of the UK’s most trusted names in complex spinal surgery.
Book a consultation today with Mr Gordan Grahovac — a leading UK-based spine surgeon in Kent and London — and take the first step toward long-term relief.
FAQs: Trapped and Pinched Nerve Questions
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A pinched nerve can feel like a sharp, burning, or “electric” pain. Many patients also report tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected area — such as the shoulder, arm, or hand. Pain may worsen with certain movements or at night.
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Releasing pressure on a pinched nerve may involve gentle stretching, improving posture, avoiding aggravating activities, or targeted physiotherapy. However, if the nerve is compressed by a herniated disc or bone spur, specialist assessment is essential to determine the right course of treatment.
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Try sleeping on your back with a supportive pillow under your neck and arms. Avoid sleeping on the affected side. Some patients find relief using a cervical pillow or sleeping in a slightly elevated position to reduce nerve pressure.
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In severe cases — especially if the spinal cord is compressed — a pinched nerve may cause symptoms beyond one limb, including balance problems or difficulty walking. While most pinched nerves are localised, broader symptoms should prompt urgent specialist evaluation.
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Mild cases can resolve in a few days to weeks with rest and conservative care. Persistent symptoms, or those involving weakness or sensory loss, may indicate more significant compression and require medical intervention.
