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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Pain In The Right Shoulder Blade
Question: my right shoulder blade has been hurting and aching for about 3 days now. I am using t relief for the pain and am using heat and icy hot smart relief machine. I go through this about once every other month. it takes usually about a week for the symptoms to subside enough go about my normal life.
Brief Answer:
Advice to undergo a detailed evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The most common cause of pain in shoulder blade is muscular pain.
However, since you have been experiencing persistent and recurring symptoms, other underlying causes need to be ruled out. Arthritis of shoulder/neck can cause referred pain to shoulder pain.
Another important consideration is coronary artery disease or lung issues which can present as shoulder blade pain. So, Chest X-ray, X-ray shoulder, and neck, EKG, cardiac stress test (if needed) are recommended at this point. I would also recommend getting bilirubin level, liver function testing done as gallstones can rarely present as right shoulder blade pain. Gallstones are unlikely since you are not complaining of abdominal pain. However, it is worth ruling it out especially in women.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for necessary evaluation.
Meanwhile, continue Tylenol and Icy hot for pain relief. Try avoiding any combination with codeine as it can become habit forming and later affect your sleep.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Advice to undergo a detailed evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The most common cause of pain in shoulder blade is muscular pain.
However, since you have been experiencing persistent and recurring symptoms, other underlying causes need to be ruled out. Arthritis of shoulder/neck can cause referred pain to shoulder pain.
Another important consideration is coronary artery disease or lung issues which can present as shoulder blade pain. So, Chest X-ray, X-ray shoulder, and neck, EKG, cardiac stress test (if needed) are recommended at this point. I would also recommend getting bilirubin level, liver function testing done as gallstones can rarely present as right shoulder blade pain. Gallstones are unlikely since you are not complaining of abdominal pain. However, it is worth ruling it out especially in women.
Please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for necessary evaluation.
Meanwhile, continue Tylenol and Icy hot for pain relief. Try avoiding any combination with codeine as it can become habit forming and later affect your sleep.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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