Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Right-sided Shoulder And Upper Back Pain Radiating To Underarm And Chest?
Question: I have pain in my shoulder/back, upper right side. The pain radiates into my right underarm and into my breast area. I have had this for awhile, but it is getting more severe and constant. I have had weakness in my right arm and recently have been having muscle spasms in my right hand where my hand contracts involuntarily and it takes a minute to go back to normal. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Likely to be muscular origin.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
Right side shoulder and upper back pain radiating to right underarm and chest area are likely to be due to muscular (myalgia or muscle spasm) or musculo-skeletal origin.
I will keep this possibility first and will advise you to use over the counter pain reliever medications (ibuprofen 400 mg or naproxen 500 mg) for symptomatic relief.
In addition,I would like to ask some more information regarding your right arm weakness,
Do you have any history of any injury or fall down to right arm?
Since when you are having right arm weakness?
Meanwhile,avoid heavy weight lifting and do hot fomentation frequently in a day to the right arm which will help to relieve from pain and spasm.
If pain does not subside even after this symptomatic treatment then it should be further evaluated by examination and tests.
So,you may need to go for,
1) Some routine blood works and EKG
2) vitamin B12 and D3 level to rule out neuropathic pain with
3) X-ray and MRI scan of chest and back to rule out any nerve route compression or bony injury.
But before that take symptomatic treatment and get back to me with more this information.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Likely to be muscular origin.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
Right side shoulder and upper back pain radiating to right underarm and chest area are likely to be due to muscular (myalgia or muscle spasm) or musculo-skeletal origin.
I will keep this possibility first and will advise you to use over the counter pain reliever medications (ibuprofen 400 mg or naproxen 500 mg) for symptomatic relief.
In addition,I would like to ask some more information regarding your right arm weakness,
Do you have any history of any injury or fall down to right arm?
Since when you are having right arm weakness?
Meanwhile,avoid heavy weight lifting and do hot fomentation frequently in a day to the right arm which will help to relieve from pain and spasm.
If pain does not subside even after this symptomatic treatment then it should be further evaluated by examination and tests.
So,you may need to go for,
1) Some routine blood works and EKG
2) vitamin B12 and D3 level to rule out neuropathic pain with
3) X-ray and MRI scan of chest and back to rule out any nerve route compression or bony injury.
But before that take symptomatic treatment and get back to me with more this information.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I have had weakness in my right arm a long time ... 10-12 years (and I am right handed). The pain has only been manifest in the last 2-3 years, but is getting progressively worse with the spasms being a new thing.
I have no history of a fall or injury.
Years ago I was treated for a B12 deficiency (I took B12 injections), but a few years ago a doctor told me my levels were normal, so treatment was stopped.
I have had an MRI on my neck (again years ago) and have compressions of some of the discs at the top of the neck. No injury or fall.
What is hot fomentation?
I have no history of a fall or injury.
Years ago I was treated for a B12 deficiency (I took B12 injections), but a few years ago a doctor told me my levels were normal, so treatment was stopped.
I have had an MRI on my neck (again years ago) and have compressions of some of the discs at the top of the neck. No injury or fall.
What is hot fomentation?
Brief Answer:
Take symptomatic treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for sharing more information.
Since you have history of disc compression,so this back pain could also be related to it apart from muscular or musclo-skeletal pain.
So,in my advice you may take over the counter Pain killers twice or thrice daily with muscle relaxant as I mentioned above for symptomatic relief.
Hot fomentation is nothing but the application of wet cloth/towel soaked in warm/hot water over the sore areas.It helps to relieve from pain by relaxing muscles and increasing blood circulation to the muscle tissue.
If pain persists even after this symptomatic treatment then you may need to repeat the tests for vitamin B12 and D3 level to rule out neuropathic pain with follow-up MRI scan (cervical spine).
Your nearby orthopedic surgeon will know about it and may order the tests.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Take symptomatic treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for sharing more information.
Since you have history of disc compression,so this back pain could also be related to it apart from muscular or musclo-skeletal pain.
So,in my advice you may take over the counter Pain killers twice or thrice daily with muscle relaxant as I mentioned above for symptomatic relief.
Hot fomentation is nothing but the application of wet cloth/towel soaked in warm/hot water over the sore areas.It helps to relieve from pain by relaxing muscles and increasing blood circulation to the muscle tissue.
If pain persists even after this symptomatic treatment then you may need to repeat the tests for vitamin B12 and D3 level to rule out neuropathic pain with follow-up MRI scan (cervical spine).
Your nearby orthopedic surgeon will know about it and may order the tests.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
