Shoulder blade pain isn’t always caused by something obvious. It could be a sign of something more serious, such as a heart attack or lung cancer. However, it is possible that you simply slept on it incorrectly or have poor computer posture.
There are numerous other causes of shoulder blade pain, such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, gallbladder disease, and shingles.
This article discusses the causes and symptoms of shoulder blade pain. It also goes over diagnostic tests and how to treat shoulder blade pain.
1. Musculoskeletal problems
Muscle strain is the most common cause of shoulder blade pain. This is frequently caused by short-term overuse of your arms and upper body.
Pain in other muscle groups may accompany scapula pain. This includes the shoulder and the back. However, it may only be felt in your shoulder blade.
Chronic conditions may be associated with longer-lasting pain. Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are two examples.
Shoulder blade pain can also be caused by rotator cuff tears. Snapping scapula syndrome is another condition that can cause this.
2. Bone and joint issues
Osteoporosis, arthritis, compressed nerves, and disc disease are all bone and joint issues that can cause scapula pain.
Shoulder blade pain caused by disc disease can sometimes assist healthcare providers in determining which nerve is compressed so that surgery can be performed.
Shoulder blade fractures are rare. The scapulae are among the most difficult bones to break. Falls or high-speed car accidents are common causes.
3. Heart problems
Shoulder blade pain on its own can be a sign of heart problems. Heart attacks, aortic dissection, and pericarditis are examples of these.
If you have undiagnosed shoulder blade or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately in case it is a serious cardiac event.
4. Lung issues
Many people suffering from lung cancer or mesothelioma (a type of lung cancer) experience shoulder pain.
A Pancoast tumor is a type of lung tumor that grows on top of the lungs. It is commonly associated with shoulder, shoulder blade, and arm pain.
Pulmonary embolism and pneumothorax are two other lung problems that can cause scapula pain. These potentially fatal conditions provide even more reason to seek immediate medical attention for shoulder blade pain.
5. Chest wall problems
The chest wall is made up of muscles, bones, fat, skin, and other tissues that surround your vital organs. Shoulder blade pain may be caused by a shingles infection in the chest wall.
The chickenpox virus causes shingles, a painful condition (varicella zoster). It causes a burning or tingling sensation.
Body aches are among the first shingles symptoms. A painful rash appears a few days later. Because of this two-stage development, a quick diagnosis is difficult.
6. Abdominal and pelvic problems
Shoulder blade pain can be caused by abdominal or even pelvic problems. And it’s more common than you might think.
The diaphragm is the muscle that separates your chest cavity from your abdominal cavity. When the nerves at the base of the diaphragm are irritated, they can send pain to your shoulder or shoulder blade.
During abdominal surgery, these nerves can be irritated. This occurs when the abdominal cavity is filled with gas to allow the surgeon to see more clearly.
Several abdominal and pelvic conditions can cause pain in the right shoulder blade. Gallstones, peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux, liver disease, and pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation) are the most common causes of left-side shoulder blade pain.
7. Cancer
Shoulder blade pain may be caused by cancerous tumors in the chest. Lymphoma, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and pancreatic cancer are among them.
Cancers from various body regions can cause bone metastases (cancer spreading to the bones) to the shoulder blades. Such metastases have been reported from cancers of the breast, liver, kidneys, lung, prostate, and gastrointestinal tract, among others.
