Shoulder Blade Pain

Hi,

I have a reoccuring pain in my right shoulder blade ( my dominant arm) the muscles feel tight and swollen and When I move the arm back and forth a ginding popping sound occurs. It started about 2 years ago and has gradually got worse. I would appreciate any advice on this.

Many thanks.

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not provide you with a diagnosis. However, I will try to provide you with some information.

More often than not, shoulder pain is due to musculoskeletal causes, such as rotator cuff problems, arthritis, bursitis etc. and not neurologic problems. Pain between the shoulder blades can have other causes as well, even problems in the lung or heart. You may benefit from posting your question on the rheumatology or orthopedic forum. However, in some cases, shoulder pain can be due to neurologic causes, and I will briefly discuss these below.

The nerves that supply the muscles and skin of our body exit the spinal cord and travel to various regions of the body. If a nerve is compressed (by for example arthritis or a herniated disc in the spine) as it exits the spinal column, symptoms can occur alongs its distribution. For example, if specific cervical nerve to the arm are compressed, shoulder pain with radiation to the rest of the arm (shooting pain down the arm) may occur, and may be associated with numbness or weakness. The condition is called a radiculopathy (commonly called a pinched nerve). This is best diagnosed with examination, history, and ancillary testing such as MRI of the spine or nerve conduction studies. Another neurologic cause of shoulder pain is frozen shoulder syndrome which follows stroke, and Parkinson's disease.

I suggest that you discuss your symptoms with your primary care (family) physician, after examining you/obtaining a history he/she can determine what the most likely cause of your symptoms are and will obtain necessary testing or refer you to an appropriate physician. Evaluation by a neurologist would only be indicated if it is determined that there are not musculo-skeletal and other causes to your pain.

Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this informatiion useful good luck
Thank you for using the forum, I hope you find this information useful good luck.