What Causes Pain In The Shoulder Blade Radiating To The Arm?

Posted on Wed, 22 Feb 2017

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

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 Answered on

Sat, 11 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Pain on the bottom tip of my shoulder blade in the back - moderate to severe. Radiating down my arm aching - and also numbness / tingling. It has happened before but i attributed it to sleeping wrong.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
A few questions so I can gain better clarity on your situation ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. As you reported this to have happened earlier I would like to ask a few questions to gain more clarity on the situation:

1. Is the pain on any one particular side or both ? If it is on one side, please do let me know which side ?

2. Do you have any symptoms relating to your gastrointestinal tract like heart burn, regurgitation of food, abdominal bloating, discomfort before or after eating a heavy meal, belching, etc.?

3. Do you have episodes of back and/or neck pain at times ?

4. Difficulty performing certain activities like lifting certain objects, bending down, turning, etc.?

5. Discomfort in any certain positions ?

6. Do you suffer from symptoms like breathlessness, sweating, etc.?

7. Any history of cardiac diseases in your family ?

I look forward to hearing from you in order to better understand your condition and help you accordingly.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

It's the left back and arm. No gastro issues although I did have a gastric bypass 2 yrs ago. My wt is 165. Can't take ibuprofen
No breathless, no sweats, etc. no cardiac or family history. Hurts to do things, but it doesn't seem to make it worse.
Almost feels like a pinched nerve, but stretching or opening up the scapula doesn't seem to relieve it. Maybe I'm just not positioning it right. Trying a heating pad now. Or maybe I should be doing ice ?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A few suggestions, but diagnosis still to be made between bone and GIT?

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Thank you so much for that information.

I do suspect more of a skeletal issue than anything else, but the location and your history of a gastric bypass still raises doubt of this being a GIT issue, and so I recommend the following:

+ An X-ray of the effected region
+Physical examination
+Physiotherapy
+Pain management
+Steroid administration in the region
+Initiation of medication like omeprazole or pantoprazole to be taken 15 minutes before each meal
+Plenty of water (at least 2-3 litres)
+A follow up visit by your gastroenterologist
+Ultrasound of your abdomen and pelvis to make sure all is well
+Also, most importantly ice the region and give it as much rest as possible until your doctor has examined you, try not to use that side of the arm at all
+You can use any pain management medication of your choice until you can get to meet your doctor, as a physical examination is of utmost importance in your case

Please write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana