Shoulder blade pain doesn’t always have an obvious cause. It can be a symptom of something serious like a heart attack or lung cancer. But it could also just mean you slept on it wrong or have poor posture at the computer. Show
Many other causes of shoulder blade pain exist, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, gallbladder disease, and shingles. This article goes through the symptoms and causes of shoulder blade pain. It also discusses diagnostic tests and treatment for shoulder blade pain. Verywell / Joshua Seong Shoulder Blade Pain SymptomsThe shoulder blades are medically known as the scapulae. They’re triangular-shaped bones in your upper back. They stick out and become more visible when you move an arm toward your back. The shoulder blades have many functions. One is to support pivotal movements of the shoulder. Shoulder blade pain has different causes than shoulder pain or pain between the shoulder blades. If you have shoulder blade pain that lasts more than a few days, see your healthcare provider. Get checked even if you suspect an activity (sports, housework) caused your pain. When to Go to the ERSigns you need emergency medical
help include:
Click Play to Learn How to Treat and Prevent Shoulder Blade PainCauses of Shoulder PainPain in the shoulder blades can be from trauma or inflammation in the area, or it may be referred pain from other parts of the chest or abdomen. It may be a symptom of something as simple as mild muscle strain, or it can be a sign of something serious like a lung condition or cancer. Causes of shoulder blade pain can be:
Some conditions are more likely to refer pain to either the right or left shoulder blade.
MusculoskeletalThe most common cause of shoulder blade pain is muscle strain. That’s often from short-term overuse of your arms and upper body. The scapula pain may be accompanied by pain in other muscle groups. That can include the shoulder and back. But it may be felt only in your shoulder blade. Muscle strain is more likely if you’ve:
Longer-lasting pain may be related to chronic conditions. These include fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome. Rotator cuff tears can also cause shoulder blade pain. A condition known as snapping scapula syndrome can, too. In snapping scapula syndrome, there’s cracking and popping (crepitus) along the inner side of the shoulder blade. Many people with this syndrome also have pain and instability in the shoulder. Bone and JointBone and joint problems that can cause scapula pain include:
Disc disease may cause pain in your neck or numbness and tingling in your arm and hand. Sometimes, shoulder blade pain from disc disease can help healthcare providers figure out which nerve is compressed so they can do surgery. Shoulder blade fractures are uncommon. The scapulae are considered some of the hardest bones to break. Causes usually include falls or high-speed auto accidents. HeartShoulder blade pain alone can be a symptom of heart problems. These include:
Heart attacks and aortic dissection are always medical emergencies. Pericarditis can lead to a cardiac emergency. Anytime you have undiagnosed shoulder blade or chest pain, you should get immediate medical attention in case it’s a serious cardiac event. Heart attacks, especially in women, need to be considered with any form of pain in the torso. LungMany people with lung cancer and mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer) have shoulder or shoulder blade pain. A type of lung tumor called a Pancoast tumor grows on top of the lungs. It usually causes pain in the shoulders, shoulder blades, and arms. Other lung problems that can cause scapula pain include:
These life-threatening conditions give you more reason to get shoulder blade pain checked out right away. Chest WallThe chest wall comprises muscles, bones, fat, skin, and other tissues around the vital organs in your chest. A shingles infection in the chest wall may cause shoulder blade pain. Shingles is a painful condition caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster). It involves a burning or tingling pain. The first shingles symptoms include body aches. A few days later, a painful rash erupts. This two-stage development makes a quick diagnosis difficult. Abdominal and PelvicAbdominal or even pelvic problems can cause shoulder blade pain. And it’s more common than you may suspect. The muscles that separate your chest cavity from the abdominal cavity are called the diaphragm. When nerves along the base of the diaphragm are irritated, they can send referred pain to your shoulder or shoulder blade. These nerves can be irritated during abdominal surgery. This happens when the abdominal cavity is filled with gas so the surgeon can see better. Several abdominal and pelvic conditions can cause right-side shoulder blade pain. They are:
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is more likely to cause left-side shoulder blade pain. CancerCancerous tumors involving the chest may cause shoulder blade pain. They include:
Bone metastases (cancer spreading to the bones) to the shoulder blades may occur with cancers from various body regions. For instance, such metastases have been reported from cancers of the breast, liver, kidney, lung, prostate, and gastrointestinal tract. DiagnosisWhen you go to your healthcare provider with shoulder blade pain, they have a lot to consider. They’ll start by asking questions and giving you a physical exam. This is unlikely to be all that’s needed for a concrete diagnosis. Questions Your Healthcare Provider May AskYou’ll likely be asked many of these questions about your shoulder blade pain:
Important symptoms to mention include:
Lab TestsYour provider may also order blood tests to determine the cause of your shoulder blade pain. Common tests check for:
Other tests may be ordered based on your symptoms or other findings. Imaging StudiesImaging studies done for shoulder blade pain may include:
These scans allow your healthcare provider to see what’s going on inside your body. Some show bones while others show organs and other soft tissues. Heart TestsIf your provider is at all concerned about your heart, they may order an:
It is worth repeating: Heart attack pain, especially in women, may only be in your shoulder blades. Abdominal ExamsTo look at your stomach and small intestine, your provider may order an upper endoscopy. For this test, a tube with a small camera is threaded through your mouth and into your esophagus and stomach. You may also be given an ultrasound to evaluate your gallbladder. A CT scan to look at your liver and pancreas is also possible. TreatmentThe treatment of shoulder blade pain depends on the underlying cause. If it’s related to a muscle strain, RICE may be helpful. It stands for:
Heat or physical therapy may be helpful for persistent musculoskeletal shoulder blade pain. Anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) may reduce discomfort. Stretching and/or massage benefit some people. For other causes of pain, treatment should address the underlying cause. That may include radiation, bone-modifying drugs, or chemotherapy. SummaryShoulder blade pain can have many causes. It can be from bones, joints, or muscles; heart, lung, or chest-wall problems; abdominal or pelvic conditions; or certain cancers. Diagnosing shoulder blade pain can be complicated. It may involve a lot of questions, blood tests, imaging, heart tests, and abdominal exams and scopes. Treatment depends on the cause. It may involve anything from home care for a muscle strain to chemotherapy and
radiation for cancer. Because scapula pain can be a symptom of serious and even life-threatening conditions, you should always have it checked by a healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my upper left back hurt when I take a deep breath?Muscle strain is a common cause of upper back pain. It can cause pain when breathing, as moving air in and out of the lungs stretches the back muscles. A person may strain the muscles in their upper back as a result of exercise, injury, or lifting something heavy.
Why does my back hurt under my shoulder blade when I breathe?Pain in the back can sometimes feel worse when you take a deep breath. This is because the vertebrae of the spine are connected to your rib cage. Usually, this is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, this type of pain can signal a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).
Why does my back and left back hurt when I breathe?Muscle Strain
Muscle strain is one of the more common causes of back pain when breathing and luckily, it's a simple thing to fix. Typical remedies for muscle strain include stretching, heat packs, cold packs, and over-the-counter medication.
Why does my left shoulder blade hurt when I breathe in?Symptoms of pleurisy
The most common symptom of pleurisy is a sharp chest pain when you breathe. You sometimes also feel pain in your shoulder. The pain may be worse when you cough, sneeze or move around. It may be relieved by taking shallow breaths.
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