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What is it?! A small mass in the shoulder
I have had a dull burning ache in my right shoulder blade area for several months. The discomfort is what I would consider mild, just consistant. It became annoying enough that I finally went to the doctor and she ordered X Rays and an ultrasound. The X Ray came back normal, but the ultrasound found a "small vague mass" (the doctor's words, not mine.) and said it was nothing to worry about. I emailed her back to ask for more info and stated the discomfort is still there and asked for suggestions (at this point I feel like I've tried everything. Stretches, heat packs, cold compresses, over the counter pain/anti inflammitory meds, massage, etc) so she prescribed me muscle relaxers. I've been taking them and nothing.... still the pain discomfort. Long story short, I emailed my doc again and she is now referring my results to a surgeon, but again stated these masses are usually nothing worrisome. I still don't know what "these masses" are! Is it a muscle mass? A mass of nerves? A siamese twin growing inside of me? (Kidding) Anyone have any ideas? The doc made it sound like it was common? Or just something to not worry about, but if that is the cause of my discomfort.....
Best Answer
There are a number of benign tumors and masses that can be annoying, even painful. I say benign, which simply means not cancerous or metastasizing, but does not mean no problem for the bearer. One that is common are lipoma's, which are made up of fat tissue; however some of them can become doughy and have a mass of nerves intersecting in them that cause pain. There's granulamatous tumors, that are like sacks which fill up with body fluids. I can only say that 'surgeons' usually just deal with masses on internal organs and skeletal systems. A dermatologist handles all layers of the skin and would be the responsible party to determine if a growth in the skin layer or backside of the dermas needs to be removed. It seems to me that cancer is the only thing that makes medical folks jump thru any hoops.
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In all probability, given the location the masses are lipomas or it could also be neurofibroma (collection of nerve and fibrous tissue) or a bone or muscle mass. Bone mass would have been ruled out by X-ray. Most of these lumps do not cause pain unless pressing on a nerve. Also, you must look for other possibilities for the pain.
If there is burning sensation in right shoulder, it means that the right diaphragm is being irritated. Heavy meals or acidity that cause distension of the duodenum or any cause for distension of the small intestine can cause referred pain/burning to shoulder. In your case it could be acidity. Liver and gall bladder problems too can irritate the right diaphragm. Please discuss this with your doctor. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.