Are you noticing a hard lump on your shoulder? Lumps on the shoulder are often associated with traumatic events, however, causes can also be inflammatory, cancerous, or environmental. It's important to pay attention to the lump on your shoulder and its associated symptoms to determine if you should seek medical attention. Read below to learn 8 possible causes, treatment, and more.
8 most common cause(s)
Symptoms of lump on a shoulder
The shoulder is a very mobile and vulnerable joint. It consists of the shoulder blade (scapula), the collarbone (clavicle), the bone of the upper arm (humerus), as well as the tendons of the shoulder a.k. the rotator cuff. The head of the humerus sits in a socket of the scapula called the glenoid. There is a ring of tissue that surrounds the glenoid socket (labrum), that keeps all of these pieces in place. A shoulder bump is often associated with trauma or injury to this delicate system and may present with the following characteristics.
Common characteristics and accompanying symptoms of a shoulder bump
Symptoms you may also experience include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Feeling of shoulder instability
- Bruising in the shoulder area
- Warmth or redness of the shoulder area
- Limited range of motion
- Decreased strength
A shoulder bump may signal a serious underlying issue and requires prompt medical attention. Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you notice any of the above symptoms.
What does a shoulder lump mean?
Though shoulder bumps are usually associated with traumatic events, there are many other potential causes for bumps and its associated symptoms. The causes of shoulder bumps can be grouped into the following categories:
Traumatic causes
Traumatic causes of shoulder bumps may include the following.
- Fracture: Any activities that cause direct trauma to the shoulder area can result in a fracture that causes a shoulder bump and its associated symptoms. Traumatic injuries include falling on an outstretched arm or a direct blow to the shoulder that results from a motor vehicle accident or even falling from a bicycle.
- Dislocation/Separation: These can also occur in the setting of traumatic events but usually do not involve any broken bones. Often the ligaments that hold the different parts of the shoulder are stretched or injured or the humerus may pop out of the socket that holds the shoulder in place.
Inflammatory causes
Inflammatory or rheumatologic causes include conditions involving the body's tissues and joints that can affect people of all ages but most commonly affects older adults. Conditions such as arthritis cause inflammation that easily brings fluid into the tissues leading to swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints, in addition to the appearance of large bumps or nodules like a ganglion cyst in the shoulder and hands. Other inflammatory conditions of the joints such as bursitis can also result in swollen bumps in the shoulder [3,4].
Cancerous causes
New lumps and bumps on the body are also concerning since they can be the initial sign of a cancerous process. However, there are signs and symptoms that are reassuring. A shoulder bump may be less concerning if it is soft and easily mobile; however, a shoulder lump that grows in size over time or changes in color or one that is hard, rigid or stuck in place should be followed up promptly. Cancerous growth, also called tumors, arise when cells divide and grow uncontrollably. There is either a genetic mutation in DNA or a specific protein or failure in an important checkpoint that results in this rapid growth. When the cells begin to invade other parts of the body, the tumor becomes malignant.
Environmental causes
An insect bite from any insect — mosquito, spider, flea, etc. — can cause a bump that swells and may be itchy and painful.
8 possible shoulder bump conditions
The list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced shoulder bump. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.
Treatment options for a lump on the shoulder
When to see a doctor for a shoulder bump
If you experience a shoulder bump or any of these associated symptoms, make an appointment with your physician to get appropriate treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, your physician may suggest:
- Repositioning: If your shoulder bump is due to a dislocation injury, your physician may first attempt to reposition the upper arm back into the shoulder socket. You may also be given a muscle relaxant or sedative before the bones are manipulated depending on the extent of pain and swelling.
- Immobilization (sling): Your physician may use a sling to keep your shoulder from moving. You may have to wear the sling anywhere from days to weeks depending on the severity of the shoulder dislocation and how soon you received medical care.
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation: Your physician may prescribe stretching exercises or a physical therapy/rehabilitation program to help you restore range of motion, strength, and stability to your shoulder, especially after injury.
- Rheumatologic medications: There are many different types of medications that combat rheumatologic conditions that may be causing your swollen shoulder. Talk to your physician to determine the best type of treatment for you.
- Cancer treatment: If your symptoms are due to a cancerous process, your physician will suggest therapies that include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or combinations of the three.
Wart
Warts, also called common warts or verrucae, are small, rough, rounded growths on the top layer of the skin. They may appear singly or in clusters.
Common warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and are contagious through direct contact, especially through a break in the skin. They may spread from one place on the body to another simply through touch.
Anyone can get warts but they are most common in anyone with a weakened immune system, as from illness or chemotherapy. Children and teenagers are also susceptible to warts.
Warts often first appear on the hands and fingers, especially near the nails or after any injury to the skin. This is why biting fingernails is a risk factor for warts.
Warts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. But they can be unsightly and interfere with normal use of the hands, so treatment is often beneficial.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination. Warts in children sometimes go away without treatment, but otherwise most warts can be easily removed in a doctor's office.
Skin cyst
A cyst is a small sac or lump, filled with fluid, air, fat, or other material, that begins to grow somewhere in the body for no apparent reason. A skin cyst is one that forms just beneath the skin.
It's believed that skin cysts form around trapped keratin cells – the cells that form the relatively tough outer layer of the skin.
These cysts are not contagious.
Anyone can get a skin cyst, but they are most common in those who are over age 18, have acne, or have injured the skin.
Symptoms include the appearance of a small, rounded lump under the skin. Cysts are normally painless unless infected, when they will be reddened and sore and contain pus.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination. A small cyst can be left alone, though if it is unsightly or large enough to interfere with movement it can be removed in a simple procedure done in a doctor's office. An infected cyst must be treated so that the infection does not spread.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: skin-colored armpit bump, marble sized armpit lump, small armpit lump
Symptoms that always occur with skin cyst: skin-colored armpit bump
Urgency: Wait and watch
Skin abscess
A skin abscess is a large pocket of pus that has formed just beneath the skin. It is caused by bacteria getting under the skin, usually through a small cut or scratch, and beginning to multiply. The body fights the invasion with white blood cells, which kill some of the infected tissue but form pus within the cavity that remains.
Symptoms include a large, red, swollen, painful lump of pus anywhere on the body beneath the skin. There may be fever, chills, and body aches from the infection.
If not treated, there is the risk of an abscess enlarging, spreading, and causing serious illness.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination.
A small abscess may heal on its own, through the body's immune system. But some will need to be drained or lanced in a medical provider's office so that the pus can be cleaned out. Antibiotics are usually prescribed.
Keeping the skin clean, and using only clean clothes and towels, will help to make sure that the abscess does not recur.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: rash with bumps or blisters, red rash, red skin bump larger than 1/2 cm in diameter, pus-filled rash, rash
Symptoms that always occur with skin abscess: rash with bumps or blisters
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Pimple
Pimples are also called comedones, spots, blemishes, or "zits." Medically, they are small skin eruptions filled with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria.
Pimples often first start appearing at puberty, when hormones increase the production of oil in the skin and sometimes clog the pores.
Most susceptible are teenagers from about ages 13 to 17.
Symptoms include blocked pores that may appear flat and black on the surface, because the oil darkens when exposed to the air; blocked pores that appear white on the surface because they have closed over with dead skin cells; or swollen, yellow-white, pus-filled blisters surrounded by reddened skin.
Outbreaks of pimples on the skin can interfere with quality of life, making the person self-conscious about their appearance and causing pain and discomfort in the skin. A medical provider can help to manage the condition, sometimes through referral to a dermatologist.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination.
Treatment involves improving diet; keeping the skin, hair, washcloths, and towels very clean; and using over-the-counter acne remedies.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: pink or red facial bump, small facial lump, painful facial bump, marble sized facial lump
Symptoms that always occur with pimple: pink or red facial bump
Urgency: Self-treatment
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Often the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color, or feel of a mole. Most s have a black or black-blue area. Melanoma may also appear as a new mole. It may be black, abnormal, or "ugly looking."
You should visit your primary care physician. Surgery is the first treatment of all stages of melanoma. Other treatments include chemotherapy and radiation, biologic, and targeted therapies. Biologic therapy boosts your body's own ability to fight cancer. Targeted therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: brown-colored skin changes, atypical features of a facial bump, black-colored skin changes, growing facial lump, large facial lump
Symptoms that always occur with melanoma: atypical features of a facial bump
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Lipoma
Lipoma is a word that translates as "fatty tumor," but a lipoma is not cancer. It is simply a growth of fat between the muscle layer and the skin above it.
The exact cause is not known. The condition does run in families and is associated with other unusual syndromes such as adiposis dolorosa, which is similar. Lipomas most often appear after age 40.
Symptoms include a soft, easily moveable lump beneath the skin, about two inches across. A lipoma is painless unless its growth is irritating the nerves around it. They are most often found on the back, neck, and abdomen, and sometimes the arms and upper legs.
It is a good idea to have any new or unusual growth checked by a medical provider, just to make certain it is benign.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination, biopsy, and imaging such as ultrasound or CT scan.
Most of the time, treatment is not necessary unless the lipoma is unsightly or is interfering with other structures. It can be removed through surgery or liposuction.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: skin-colored groin bump, marble sized groin lump, small groin lump
Symptoms that always occur with lipoma: skin-colored groin bump
Urgency: Wait and watch
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common kind of skin cancer. It can develop almost anywhere on the body. It appears as abnormal spots or bumps on the skin. These bumps are often pink, red, or skin-colored and sometimes have a shiny surface. The main risk factor for developing this condition is prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun exposure and tanning beds are both sources of UV radiation. People with a history of sunburns, previous skin cancer, and a weakened immune system are at higher risk for this condition.
Most cases of BCC can be easily treated because they grow slowly. Though if not treated, it can spread inside the body. Your provider will do a skin exam and possibly skin sample test, known as a biopsy. Treatment will depend on where the cancer is, its size, and your medical history. Some treatment options include cutting out the bump, freezing it, or using medicated skin cream.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: facial skin changes, pink or red facial bump, small facial lump, painless facial bump, growing facial lump
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Atypical mole
Moles are growths on the skin. They happen when pigment cells in the skin, called melanocytes, grow in clusters. Certain moles are considered "atypical" because of their size and characteristics, which require careful watching and possibly even biopsy in order to monitor for development into cancer. Atypical moles, also called dysplastic nevi deserve more attention than normal moles.
You should go see your primary care doctor to examine the mole. He or she can determine if next steps are necessary.
Rarity: Uncommon
Top Symptoms: severe abdominal lump, brown-colored skin changes, moderate abdominal lump, atypical abdominal bump features, growing abdominal bump
Symptoms that always occur with atypical mole: black or brown abdominal bump, atypical abdominal bump features
Urgency: Primary care doctor
FAQs about shoulder bump
What is the difference between a shoulder separation and shoulder dislocation?
Even though they both might present with pain and a visible bump or deformity of the shoulder, shoulder separations and dislocations are different in the anatomy of the problem. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the connection between the humerus and the ball and socket joint of the shoulder (glenoid) becomes unstable or "pops out" [5]. A shoulder separation involves injury or separation of the ligaments that stabilize the shoulder joint [6].
How long will the shoulder bump last?
The duration of your symptoms will depend on the specific cause. For example, shoulder bumps associated with traumatic injuries are usually the result of localized swelling that can quickly resolve, especially with proper treatment. On the other hand, bumps due to inflammatory or cancerous causes may be chronic.
What is a lipoma on the shoulder?
A lipoma is a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue. Since fat tissue can be found all over the body, lipomas can appear in multiple locations including the shoulder, upper back, arms, and upper thighs. They are reassuring in appearance and presentation as they are usually small, painless, mobile, and located superficially beneath the skin.
How do you tell if you have a separated shoulder?
A separated shoulder may present with symptoms such as a visible bump in the area, pain, arm weakness, bruising, or limited shoulder movement. A trained healthcare professional will be able to make the definitive diagnosis as to whether your symptoms are caused by separation, dislocation, fracture, etc.
Does a cancerous tumor on my shoulder hurt?
Most growths in the body due to an underlying cancerous process are often painless. However, if you experience pain with symptoms associated with unexplained/unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and unexplained fevers, make an appointment with your healthcare provider promptly.
Questions your doctor may ask about shoulder bump
- What color is the bump?
- Do you purposely tan (using sun, tanning beds, or UV rays)?
- Has anyone in your family had cancer?
- Is your bump painful to touch?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
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References
- Separated Shoulder. Mayo Clinic. Published November 22, 2016. Mayo Clinic Link
- Shoulder Trauma (Fractures and Dislocations). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. Updated September 2007. OrthoInfo Link
- Mayo Clinic. Published August 12, 2017. Mayo Clinic Link
- Bursitis of the Shoulder. Cedars-Sinai. Cedars-Sinai Link
- Cutts S, Prempeh M, Drew S. Anterior Shoulder Dislocation. Annals The Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2009;91(1):2-7. NCBI Link
- Dislocated Shoulder. Mayo Clinic. Published August 3, 2018. Mayo Clinic Link
- Cordasco FA. Should Separation and Dislocation: An Overview. HSS. Updated November 20, 2009. HHS Link