Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Breathe?

Shoulder pain when breathing may be caused by shoulder muscle strain, scapula fractures, and cervical spondylosis.

1. Shoulder Muscle Strain: If the shoulder muscles are strained, the surrounding soft tissue may be damaged, and it is easy to pull the surrounding muscles when breathing. Therefore, shoulder pain, aching sensations, and local swelling may occur at this time.

2. Scapula: If the scapula is fractured, the fracture may also damage the surrounding nerves and soft tissue. There will be pain around the shoulder. During breathing, muscles are involved, which may cause significant pain, generally accompanied by local swelling, limited movement, and other abnormal symptoms.

3. Cervical Spondylosis: If cervical spondylosis is severe, the cervical spine may deform, potentially compressing the surrounding nerves and blood vessels, easily causing shoulder and neck pain. It is common to experience neck stiffness, headaches, and other conditions. It may also be related to conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other diseases.

After experiencing this symptom, it is recommended that patients visit the orthopedics or respiratory department of the hospital for relevant examinations to identify the cause and allow doctors to provide targeted treatment as soon as possible.