If you get a lump or bump on your shoulder, you may feel worried about it. It is common to think if something is wrong. Many lumps on the shoulder are not a big problem. But some can show a more serious issue. It does not matter if it is a cyst, a sore knot, or a lump that seems to show up with no reason.
What is a Lump on the Shoulder?
A lump on the shoulder can look different. It can be in many shapes, sizes, and feel soft or hard. You might feel that you can move it under the skin. A lump can grow on the muscles, bones, or even under the skin of the shoulder. There are many reasons for this. Some lumps are not harmful, but some show signs of health problems that may need a doctor to check.
The shoulder has many parts. It has muscles, joints, tendons, and bones. Any of these can cause a lump to show up. A lump can be on the shoulder bone. It can also be in the soft areas around the shoulder blade. The place and type of lump matter. A lump can start from something simple, like a muscle knot. It can also be from something bigger, like a tumor. The cause will depend on where it is and what kind of lump you have.
Types of Lumps You Might Find on Your Shoulder
Here are some types of lumps that people often see on their shoulders:
1. Cysts on Shoulder
Cysts are sacs filled with fluid. They can grow on any area of your body. This includes your shoulder. There are several kinds of cysts that can show up on your shoulder, like:
Sebaceous cysts : Sebaceous cysts be small and soft lumps. The lumps often show up when hair follicles or oil glands get blocked. Most of the time, you feel no pain. The lumps sit right below the skin.
Ganglion cysts: These are small, round bumps that have jelly-like liquid inside. They often show up near joints or where tendons are. You may see them on the top of the shoulder, most often close to the shoulder blade.
2. Lipomas (Fatty Tumors)
Lipomas are soft lumps that are not cancer. They are made of fat and can grow anywhere on the body, even on the shoulders. Most of the time, these lumps do not cause pain. You can move them with your fingers, and they grow slowly. Lipomas are not a threat to you, but sometimes they feel uncomfortable if they press on nerves or other parts inside the body.
3. Bony Lumps
Sometimes, the bump on your shoulder is a bone problem. A bone spur can grow if bones rub against each other too much. This mostly happens in the shoulder joint, like where the collarbone touches the shoulder or at the shoulder blade. These bony growths may hurt, especially when the body moves a certain way.
4. Knot in the Shoulder (Muscle Knot)
A common problem that many people get is a knot or tight spot in the shoulder. These lumps are really just muscle fibers that have gotten tight and stuck together. This often happens because of poor posture, stress, or using the shoulder muscles too much. They feel like hard or sore bumps under the skin. These spots can hurt when you press on them.
5. Infected Lumps
An infection may make a lump show up over the shoulder. The skin there can look red and feel warm. It might feel sore to touch. A cyst or an abscess often leads to this problem. A doctor may need to treat you so the pus can come out and the infection can go away.
6. Lymph Nodes
Lumps around the shoulder area can be swollen lymph nodes. These are small, round parts of your body that help keep you healthy. When you get an infection or your body fights something, these nodes get bigger. You might see a bigger lymph node near the collarbone or on the top of your back.
7. Growths (Cancerous or Not)
Sometimes, a lump on the shoulder can be a growth. Soft tissue sarcomas are a type of cancer that may grow in the muscles or tissues in your shoulder. If you feel a lump on or near the shoulder bone, it could also be bone cancer. If you get a hard lump that grows fast and brings pain or makes you lose weight for no clear reason, it is best to see a doctor. A doctor can check it for you.
Causes of Lumps on the Shoulder
Now that we have talked about the types of lumps you might feel, it is time to see why they show up. Here are some usual things that cause lumps to form on your shoulder:
1- Injury or Trauma
A hit to the shoulder can cause swelling, bruising, or a lump filled with blood under the skin. If the blow hurts the muscles or tendons, a hard and painful bump can also show up. This bump comes from the muscles tightening up.
2- Infections
Infections like abscesses or infected cysts can make lumps under the skin. These lumps often feel sore and warm when you touch them. Sometimes, they have pus that comes out. Skin infections or infections in the soft tissue can lead to swelling, and this may feel like a lump on or under the skin.
3- Overuse and Muscle Strain
Using the shoulder muscles too much or making the same movements over and over can hurt them. This can cause the muscles to feel tight or have knots. The knots may feel like small lumps under your skin. These lumps are not usually harmful, but they can hurt a lot. Pain may get worse if they stop you from moving your shoulder.
4- Aging and Degenerative Changes
Aging causes the body to change. The soft tissue in the joints wears down. Because of this, people can get bone spurs in the shoulder joint. Lipomas and cysts also show up a lot in people as they get older.
5- Genetic Conditions
Some genetic problems can make you more likely to get lumps in your shoulder or other places on your body. One example is neurofibromatosis. It is a genetic disease that can cause tumors called neurofibromas to grow on nerves. These might show up in the shoulder.
When to See a Doctor
Most shoulder lumps are not harmful. It is important to know the signs that might show a more serious problem. You should see a doctor in these cases:
- The lump is hard. It does not hurt. It might also grow fast.
- The lump is causing a lot of pain. It looks red or feel warm. These might be signs of an infection.
- You feel tired. You lose weight but do not know why. You have a fever. All these come with the lump.
- The lump changes in size or shape over time.
- The lump is making it hard to move or use the shoulder.
If you are not sure about a lump on your shoulder, it is good to see a healthcare professional. They can check it for you and tell you what treatment to get.
Treatment Options for Shoulder Lumps
Treatment for a shoulder lump can change based on what is making it happen. The ways you can treat it may be:
For Cysts and Lipomas
Small cysts or lipomas may not need treatment if they do not hurt or bother you. If a doctor has to remove them, it is done through a small cut. The process is quick and simple.
Large lipomas or ones that make you feel pain are often taken out by surgery.
For Muscle Knots
Other treatments can be regular massage, stretching, and physical therapy. These may help lower the pain from muscle knots. At times, putting heat or cold packs on the area can help the muscle feel more relaxed.
For Infections
If a cyst or abscess gets infected, a healthcare professional may have to drain it. You may also need antibiotics to help with the infection.
Conclusion
Lumps on the shoulder can be there because of many reasons. It may be a simple muscle knot or something more serious like a tumor or an infection. A lot of these lumps are not dangerous. Look for any changes in the size or shape of the lump, and note if you feel pain. If any sign worries you, or it gets worse, talk to your healthcare professional right away. A proper checkup and care can help you get back to feeling well. If you feel unsure about what is happening with your shoulder, ask your doctor for help. The sooner you find out what is going on, the better it is for your health.
