A bump or lump on the top of the shoulder can be caused by several factors, including muscle injuries, cysts, or even benign growths like lipomas. As you can see, these lumps can have different textures when you touch them some are soft, while others are hard.
More than that, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, their most recent studies show that shoulder problems, including these bumps, affect 18-26% of adults. Isn’t it?
Generally speaking, most bumps are caused by inflammation or tendinitis, and, if so, they will feel like they make your shoulder feel less comfortable and harder to move.
This article will walk you through the causes, symptoms, and treatments so you can decide what to do next.
Common Causes of Shoulder Lumps
Shoulder lumps can be caused by many things, each with its own symptoms and implications. Here are the most common causes of shoulder lumps:
1. Shoulder bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa sacs. Caused by repetitive motion, injury, or infection. Symptoms can be chronic discomfort to acute pain after an injury. Inflammation can press on blood vessels and cause pain.
2. Shoulder tendonitis
Caused by repetitive arm motion, shoulder tendonitis can cause tenderness and limited mobility. This is common in athletes. Bone spurs from arthritis can also develop and impinge on the shoulder joint. Lumps can also occur in the upper arm.
3. Enlarged lymph nodes
These can appear as small soft lumps just beneath the skin near the shoulder blade. They may be tender or painless depending on the underlying cause.
4. Skin lesions and muscle knots
These can also be shoulder lumps. Muscle knots are often caused by overuse injuries from repetitive shoulder motion. Dead skin cells can cause skin conditions like pimples.
As you can see, initial treatment for shoulder lumps is rest, physical therapy, and meds for pain and inflammation. But not all lumps need surgery and many minor shoulder lumps will resolve on their own.
5. Shoulder Bursitis
One of the most common causes of shoulder lumps is shoulder bursitis. The bursa in the shoulder reduces friction between the shoulder bones and soft tissues. But when these bursa sacs become inflamed it can cause a soft lump on the shoulder.
Treatment for shoulder bursitis starts with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory meds to reduce swelling and pain. Physical therapy can also help strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve mobility. In severe cases corticosteroid injections or surgery may be needed to relieve the symptoms.
However, icing the shoulder can be very effective in managing bursitis symptoms by reducing both swelling and pain.
6. AC Joint Issues
AC joint issues can also cause noticeable lumps on the shoulder. When the ligaments in the AC joint are torn, it can cause a bump on the shoulder.
AC joint injuries are classified into three grades; grade 3 is a complete tear of both primary ligaments.
Arthritis can cause bone spurs to form around the AC joint and cause pain and limited motion.
Of course, Treatment for AC joint injuries is rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory meds, joint injections, and in some cases, surgery. Surgery is needed for unstable AC joints especially if there’s a complete ligament tear.
7. Shoulder Tendonitis
Shoulder tendonitis is another common cause of shoulder lumps. This occurs when the tendons become inflamed, irritated, or thickened from overuse. The thickened tendons can sometimes cause a visible lump on the shoulder.
Symptoms of shoulder tendonitis are tenderness, pain, and limited mobility which can also be associated with shoulder injuries.
Quick Tests for Tendonitis
Quick tests can help diagnose tendonitis in the shoulder. Physical therapists use specific exercises to assess range of motion and pain response.
Muscle Knots and Myofascial Trigger Points
Muscle knots and myofascial trigger points are also common causes of shoulder lumps. These knots are usually located between the neck and shoulder, especially in the trapezius muscle.
Myofascial trigger points are the primary cause of these muscle knots and can cause tenderness, localized pain, and discomfort.
Also, overuse from repetitive shoulder movements can cause muscle knots.
Trauma and Injury
Trauma and injury are big contributors to shoulder lumps. Injuries from falls, road traffic accidents, or sporting tackles can cause lumps on the shoulder. These lumps are often swollen, tender, and may have bruising.
Because of this, injuries can sometimes cause infection and a pocket of pus deep under the skin.
If a lump appears after an injury especially if it’s severe, immediate medical attention is needed. Medical evaluation is recommended if a lump persists for more than 2 weeks or is causing significant discomfort.
See a doctor if a lump appears after an injury.
Other Causes of Shoulder Lumps
Besides the common causes, other causes of shoulder lumps are infections, skin conditions, and rheumatoid arthritis. Infections in the skin or deeper tissues of the shoulder can cause lumps that may need medical attention.
Skin conditions like seborrheic keratosis and skin cancer can also manifest as lumps on the shoulder.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause lumps due to inflammation. In some cases, a biopsy may be done to analyze the tissue of the lump, and cysts or abscesses in the shoulder may need to be drained as part of their treatment.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous lumps. They are filled with a jelly-like substance. They are found near the acromioclavicular joint and are usually less than an inch in diameter.
- Non-cancerous
- Filled with jelly-like substance
- Near acromioclavicular joint
- Less than an inch in diameter
Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Soft lumps under the skin from enlarged lymph nodes can vary in size depending on the cause. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a response to infection or inflammation which is part of the body’s defense mechanism.
Meanwhile, the size and tenderness of these lymph nodes will indicate the type of infection or inflammation.
Tumors
Malignant tumors like soft tissue sarcoma and sarcomas can cause lumps on the shoulder. These tumor lumps can be any size from small nodules to large masses and are usually firm and solid to the touch. Tumors can be painless or cause discomfort and may be accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or night pain.
See a doctor immediately if you have a firm lump on your shoulder that doesn’t go away or is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms.
Symptoms of a Bump on Top of the Shoulder
Shoulder lumps can present with different characteristics such as size, texture, and pain level which can help identify the cause. A bump on the shoulder can manifest with various symptoms that may indicate underlying conditions.
The upper arm bone (humerus) is involved in shoulder movement and can be affected by lumps.
1. Pain
A bump can cause local pain, tenderness or discomfort especially during shoulder movement. Pain can range from mild to severe depending on the underlying cause. This pain can be intensified during certain movements or activities.
2. Swelling
Swelling around the bump can vary in size and can be warm. Swelling means inflammation or reaction to injury or infection. The swollen area feels firm.
3. Limited Mobility
Difficulty moving the affected shoulder or arm due to pain or stiffness from the bump is common. Pain and stiffness can greatly limit shoulder movement. A bump can restrict the full movement of the shoulder joint.
4. Redness or Warmth
Skin over the bump may be red or warm to the touch meaning possible inflammation or infection. Inflammatory responses can cause skin changes such as redness and warmth.
Skin may be warm and red due to inflammation.
5. Bruising
If the bump is due to injury, there may be bruising around the area. Injuries that cause lumps can cause bruising which will be visible as discoloration around the affected area. Bruising is a common sign of injury-related lumps.
6. Numbness or Tingling
Numbness or tingling in the shoulder or arm means nerve involvement. Neurological symptoms like numbness can occur if the lump is pressing on nearby nerves. Nerve compression from the lump can cause abnormal sensations in the shoulder or arm.
7. Fever
In case of infection, systemic symptoms like fever may be present. Systemic symptoms of a bump can be fever and chills as the body responds to bacteria. Body temperature may rise if the bump is related to an infectious process.
8. Popping or Clicking Sounds
You may hear or feel popping or clicking sounds when you move your shoulder especially if the bump is joint-related. Audible sounds during shoulder movement mean joint-related issues with the bump.
Movement of the shoulder might produce unusual noise if the bump is affecting the joint structure.
9. Fatigue
General fatigue or malaise may occur if the bump is related to an underlying condition or infection.
10. Changes in Skin Texture
Skin over the bump may feel different, firmer, or more tender than the surrounding areas. Changes in skin texture over the lump mean the nature of the underlying condition; some lumps can feel firmer than the surrounding skin. Skin texture may change, feeling more sensitive or firmer than the surrounding areas.
Diagnosis
A new lump on top of the shoulder should always be checked by a doctor to be sure of the diagnosis.
If the lump on the shoulder is more than 2 weeks or increases in size, a medical evaluation is needed.
If the lump is painful, tender, or immobile, see a healthcare professional.
Shoulder lumps that grow or are painful need medical attention. Symptoms like fever, chills, or redness around the lump mean urgent medical care is needed.
Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs can help diagnose the severity of shoulder tendonitis and other conditions. MRIs can confirm tendonitis but are not always necessary.
Treatment for Shoulder Lumps
Massage can relieve tension from myofascial trigger points. Stretching exercises can help with stiffness from muscle knots.
Treatment for shoulder lumps include medication, steroid injections and surgical options depending on the severity.
Moreover, for persistent or severe shoulder lumps that don’t respond to other treatments, surgery may be needed.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for shoulder lumps if there’s deformity, significant bruising, or swelling. Immediate medical attention is needed if the lump is accompanied by severe symptoms like intense pain, fever, or restricted movement.
Even if your symptoms are mild, persistent lumps or those that change over time should be checked by a healthcare professional to rule out serious conditions.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, shoulder lumps can be caused by many things, from benign conditions like muscle knots and bursitis to serious conditions like tumors and infections. In fact, study revealed that 65% of lump on the shoulder is caused by benign conditions such as muscle knot and bursitis, while 35% require immediate medical attention as they are caused by serious conditions such as tumor and infection.
By being informed and seeking medical attention on time, you can make sure the lump on your shoulder is diagnosed and treated properly, and you can have healthy and worry-free shoulders.
