What disease causes sharp pain in the shoulder like someone is pinching it?

This article received professional advice from Lieutenant Colonel, MSc. Hoang Tien Trong Nghia and BS.CK1 Vo Ngoc Duy, Department of Internal Medicine and Neurology, Military Hospital 175.

Sharp shoulder pain is a sudden pain in the shoulder area, similar to being pinched, pricked by a needle or hit in the shoulder. This symptom can appear suddenly when you make a strong shoulder movement, lift a heavy object, or even when you hold your shoulder in a fixed position for too long. Sometimes, this sharp pain is also accompanied by other signs such as numbness, arm weakness or difficulty moving the shoulder.

Common causes of sharp shoulder pain

Sharp shoulder pain can come from many different causes. Here are some common causes to keep in mind:

Cervical radiculopathy

This is the most common cause of sharp pain in the shoulder blades. When the nerve roots exiting the cervical vertebrae are compressed due to disc degeneration, disc herniation or the formation of bone spurs, they can cause sharp pain from the neck area, spreading to the shoulder blades and wings. hand. Patients often feel numb or weak in their arms and fingers.

Rotator cuff tendonitis

The rotator cuff tendons consist of a group of tendons and muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. When tendons are damaged or inflamed due to repetitive activities or excessive shoulder movements, the patient will feel a sudden sharp pain when moving the shoulder or raising the arm high.

Subacromial bursitis

The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between muscles and tendons when moving the shoulder. Bursitis occurs when this sac becomes inflamed, often due to injury or overuse. Symptoms are often sharp pain when lifting the arm or performing movements with the shoulder.

Biceps tendonitis

The biceps tendon is the tendon that connects the shoulder and biceps. When this tendon becomes inflamed due to overuse or injury, the person may feel sharp pain in the shoulder blade, especially when lifting the arm. If left untreated, biceps tendonitis can lead to arm weakness and constant sharp pain.

Shoulder arthritis

Shoulder arthritis occurs when joint cartilage degenerates or is damaged due to injury or the aging process. Arthritis causes a sharp pain when the right shoulder joint is active, accompanied by stiffness and a clicking sound when moving.

How to identify the cause of sharp shoulder pain?

Determining the exact cause of sharp shoulder blade pain requires examination and diagnosis from a specialist. Some common diagnostic methods include:

Clinical examination: Your doctor will check your shoulder’s range of motion, the location and severity of pain, along with the sensitivity of your shoulder and arm.

X-ray: Helps identify bone or shoulder joint injuries such as bone spurs or degeneration.

MRI scan: Helps detect problems related to tendons, muscles, and other soft tissues around the shoulder area.

Electromechanics: Used to evaluate the function of nerves, nerve roots, and muscles, helping to determine if there is any compression or damage.

Which treatment method is suitable for sharp shoulder blade pain?

Depending on the cause of the throbbing pain, treatments may include:

Conservative treatment: Use pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs combined with physical therapy to strengthen shoulder muscles and improve joint range of motion. Exercises to stretch and strengthen shoulder muscles are also very effective.

Corticosteroid injection: This is used to reduce inflammation and pain in severe cases of tendinitis, bursitis or arthritis.

Surgery: In cases where the tendon is completely torn, a herniated disc causes severe compression, or other serious problems cannot be improved by conservative methods, surgery may be recommended to repair the damage.

When should I see a doctor?

If you feel constant shoulder pain that does not subside with rest or have other symptoms such as arm numbness, muscle weakness or reduced shoulder mobility, you should see a specialist for diagnosis and treatment. timely treatment. Long-term sharp pain can lead to permanent damage or limited mobility if not treated properly.

Sharp shoulder pain is not a simple symptom but can be a sign of many different diseases related to muscles, tendons and joints. Understanding the causes and symptoms of sharp shoulder pain will help patients detect it early and have appropriate treatment. It is important that when you encounter this condition, you need to see a doctor and consult a doctor to receive timely treatment to avoid unwanted complications.