What can cause pain in the right shoulder blade?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain in the right shoulder blade may stem from several causes, including:

Infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart's inner lining that can radiate pain to the shoulder area.
Age-related conditions in older adults, which may present atypically and require careful evaluation.
Parsonage-Turner syndrome, a rare nerve disorder causing sudden shoulder pain followed by weakness.

Because right shoulder blade pain can signal anything from a minor muscle strain to a serious underlying condition, identifying the true cause early is essential to getting the right treatment. Rather than guessing—or worrying unnecessarily—take a free, instant, online symptom check to receive personalized insights based on your specific symptoms. It only takes a few minutes, requires no sign-up, and can help you understand what might be going on and decide on the best next steps for your health.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

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Explanation

Pain in the right shoulder blade can arise from various causes. One possible cause is an infection known as infective endocarditis. This is a condition where the inner lining of the heart gets infected, which can sometimes lead to pain in the right shoulder area.

Another potential cause, particularly in older adults, is an unusual condition that might not be immediately obvious. Such conditions may require thorough investigation to identify the exact cause.

Additionally, nerve-related issues, like Parsonage-Turner syndrome, can also lead to shoulder pain. This syndrome involves sudden and severe pain followed by weakness in the shoulder and arm, often due to inflammation of the nerves.

Understanding the cause of shoulder pain is important for proper treatment. If you or someone you know experiences unexplained shoulder pain, you can check your symptoms online to help identify potential causes before seeking medical attention for a thorough evaluation.

(References)

Mizokami K, Gotoh M, Mitsui Y, Yoshikawa I, Uryu T, Shirahama M, et al. (2016). Infective Endocarditis Presenting as Right Shoulder Pain. The Kurume medical journal, 26935440.
Saha E, Dziadzio M, Irving K, Chambers A, & Higgens C. (2007). Unusual cause of painful shoulder in an elderly woman .... Clinical rheumatology, 17160529.
Schreiber AL, Abramov R, Fried GW, & Herbison GJ. (2009). Expanding the differential of shoulder pain: Parsonage- .... The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 19706831.

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