Sharp pain under left shoulder blade

[Duval_Radical]

Over the last 6 months or so i have had a slightly sharp pain that feels like it is under/inside my left shoulder blade. Over the last week it has begun to get really bad. If i bend my left or right arm at the elbow, and lift it above my head it triggers a much more intense pain. If i stick my chest out, or even take a deep breath, it triggers the pain. If i bend over, it triggers the pain. I have had episodes of shoulder and arm problems on my right arm in the past. I didnt think it could be related to this until i began trying to put some resistance on lifting my right arm and began feeling the pain. I play tennis around 5 times a week and for an average of 2 1/2 hours. I have tried to do a lot of research on this and all i can really find is a lot of stuff on how complex the shoulder muscles are and how difficult something like this is to diagnose because of all the things the shoulder muscles are responsible for. Just curious if anyone has ever experienced something like this or had any insight??? Thanks so much for any help

[TenS_Ace]

I've had that symptom, get to a physical therapist as soon as possible. It will take some deep massage and neck manipulation.

[charliefedererer]

You ultimately are going to have visit a doctor (probably an orthopod sports medicine specialist) to get an accurate diagnosis.

But the subscapularis muscle is attatched to the underside of the scapula, and inserts into the humerus (upper arm bone), and is one of the four muscles that makes up the rotator cuff.
http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/shoulder/shoulder_anatomy/shoulder_anatomy_muscles02.jpg

The following is taken from sportsinjuryclinic.net: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cy...scapinflam.htm

"It is mainly throwers that injure this muscle. A partial rupture of the muscle is more common than a complete rupture but the partial rupture will often heal with inflammation.

Symptoms include:
Pain when moving the shoulder especially when the arm is raised above the shoulders.
Pain when you rotate the arm inwards against resistance.
Pain when you press in on the tendon insertion (difficult if you don't know where it is exactly).

What can the athlete do?
Rest until it is not painful.
Apply heat and use a heat retainer.
See a sports injury professional who can advise on rehabilitation.

What can a sports injury specialist of doctor do?
Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
Apply sports massage techniques.
Prescribe a programme of mobility, flexibility and strength training.
If you have a partial rupture then as long as you look after it you should be back in training within 3 weeks. However if you think it has started to become inflamed then you must rest or the injury will become chronic requiring you to rest for months."

[larry10s]

subscapular bursitis also causes pain in the area you mention. it is sometimes associated with a "snapping scapula". a cortisone shot is very helpful speaking from personal experience. i dontknow whats wrong with you and i also suggest you see a doctor.
p.s. charlie federer you might like this link for evaluating the shouilder
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000515/3079.html

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by larry10s

subscapular bursitis also causes pain in the area you mention. it is sometimes associated with a "snapping scapula". a cortisone shot is very helpful speaking from personal experience. i dontknow whats wrong with you and i also suggest you see a doctor.
p.s. charlie federer you might like this link for evaluating the shouilder
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000515/3079.html

Thanks for the link. I added it as one of my "favorites".

[princemidplus]

to OP. sounds like a stiff tight muscle that has trigger points in it. see a physical therapist or get a tennis ball (you play the right sport for this) and put it on the sore spot and lean back against a wall. this hurts a fair amount but after doing it for 5min 3x/day for a few days the pain will stop. stretch rhomboid and lev scap muscles too.

[Zolar]

I seem to have the same thing, just below the shoulder blade. Three doctor visits, an mri, a dozen xrays and $400.00 later and I could have just read this forum. After all that, the doc says it's a muscle strain. Rest it. Actually, he didn't even say which muscle. Had to look it up.