What Causes Left Shoulder Blade Pain That Radiates To Back And Upper Arm?

Posted on Wed, 27 Jan 2016

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

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 Answered on

Tue, 8 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I've been having pain on my lower left scapular (on edge of the "wing" part) and sometimes radiate to the back of my upper left arm. I also feel the pain worsen if I lean over to pick up something off the floor...a painful stretching kind of pain on my scapular and back of upper arm.
Any ideas or advice?

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Musculoskeletal pain, needs management and workup

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concerns. Pain scapular region with radiation to back and upper arm worsening on bending down and picking things up is likely musculoskeletal and spinal in origin and needs work up. You need spinal MRI of both thoracic and cervical region, work up for osteoarthritis age related articular degeneration.

Meanwhile, warm compresses, pain killers preferably NSAIDs, Muscle relaxants like skelaxin, physiotherapy, massage and rest for while. It will help the symptoms.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina