Are Back And Shoulder Pain Caused By High PSA Levels?

Posted on Thu, 19 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 19 May 2016 Answered on

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hi , my husband has been diagnosed with parkinsons disease and is now suffereing terribly with back ache and sore shoulder blades. It hurts for him to sit for more than 20 mins. He is only 55. Today he has his psi test for prostate and the dr said it s high. Im not sure of the numbers though. Do you think that it s poss that the back and shoulder pain could be related to the prostate rather than the parkinsons ?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Some information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I can understand that this sounds worrisome, but the only way to know what is going on is with further evaluation of the prostate. He should be seen by a urologist for a good physical exam of his prostate possible biopsy.

Back aching between or around the shoulder blades would be more likely to be muscular rather than from bone. It might be a good idea for him to be evaluated by a physical therapist and certain exercises might help relieve the shoulder blade area pain.

Regarding the PSA elevation - it is not specific to prostate cancer and not necessarily specific for a dangerous form of it either. Also, for the prostate to be causing pain in the bones, it would have to have had time to advance, and if this is his first elevated PSA, that would be less likely.

So, while I can't say one way or the other, there is more chance that his pain is muscular, but I would still advise follow thru with evaluation of the prostate.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar