Elastofibroma dorsi is a noncancerous growth of fibrous and fatty tissue that usually forms under the shoulder blade. It is most often found in older adults, especially women, and it may be on one or both sides. Many people with Elastofibroma dorsi have no symptoms, but some notice a firm lump, a clicking feeling, or discomfort with shoulder movement, and early symptoms of Elastofibroma dorsi can be easy to mistake for simple muscle strain. It usually develops slowly over years, does not spread to other parts of the body, and it is not considered life-threatening. Not everyone will have the same experience, and treatment is often not needed unless Elastofibroma dorsi causes pain or limits motion, in which case surgery may be considered.
How many people live with Elastofibroma dorsi?
There is no single accepted estimate for how many people worldwide or in the United States live with elastofibroma dorsi, because it is often found by chance, may cause no symptoms, and is not routinely counted in public health tracking systems. Small studies using body scans and exams after death suggest it may be present in about 2% to 24% of older adults, with the wide range mainly reflecting how carefully doctors look for it and which method is used (Brandser et al., 1998; Jarvi and Saxen, 1961).
Overview
Elastofibroma dorsiSymptoms
Elastofibroma dorsi often causes a firm lump under the shoulder blade. Many with Elastofibroma dorsi notice a clicking feeling, discomfort, or stiffness when moving the shoulder. Some have no symptoms at all.
Outlook and prognosis
Elastofibroma dorsi is benign and usually grows slowly, so the outlook is very good. Many people live with only mild shoulder blade rubbing or discomfort, and symptoms often improve after surgery when treatment is needed.
Causes and risk factors
Elastofibroma dorsi is linked mainly to aging and repeated shoulder blade friction from years of arm and shoulder use. It is more common in older women, and some families appear to have an inherited tendency.
Genetic influences
Genetics do not seem to be the main driver of elastofibroma dorsi. Still, some familial cases suggest inherited variations may raise susceptibility, while aging and repeated shoulder movement likely play a larger role in most people.
Diagnosis
Elastofibroma dorsi is usually diagnosed with an exam and imaging, especially MRI or CT scans. If the lump looks typical, that may be enough. A biopsy is sometimes done when the diagnosis of elastofibroma dorsi is unclear.
Treatment and drugs
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi do well with watchful waiting if the lump is painless and not limiting shoulder movement. If it causes pain, clicking, or daily bother, surgery to remove it is the main treatment, and simple pain relievers may help.
Symptoms
Elastofibroma dorsi often shows up as a firm, slow-growing area beneath the shoulder blade, and many people have little or no discomfort at first. When symptoms do happen, they usually relate to shoulder movement, with rubbing, clicking, stiffness, or an ache that becomes more noticeable when reaching, lifting, or lying on that side. The early symptoms of Elastofibroma dorsi can be easy to mistake for muscle strain or everyday wear and tear. Symptoms vary from person to person and can change over time.
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi do not notice anything at first. It is often found by chance during a scan or an exam done for another reason.
Some people notice a firm fullness or lump under the shoulder blade. It may be easier to feel or see when the arm moves forward or across the body.
A dull ache, pressure, or soreness near the lower shoulder blade is common when symptoms occur. It can become more noticeable with lifting, reaching overhead, or repeated arm use.
Moving the shoulder can cause a catching, rubbing, or clicking feeling around the shoulder blade. Some people describe it as a snapping sensation when the shoulder is in motion.
How people usually first notice Elastofibroma dorsi?
Many people first notice elastofibroma dorsi as a firm, slow-growing fullness beneath the shoulder blade, often on one side but sometimes on both, especially when reaching, lifting, or moving the arm. For many, the first warning signs are a clicking, snapping, or rubbing feeling around the shoulder blade, along with mild discomfort, stiffness, or a sense that something is catching during shoulder movement. Sometimes it is not painful at all and is first found by chance during an exam or scan, which can be reassuring because elastofibroma dorsi is a benign, noncancerous growth.
Types of Elastofibroma dorsi
Elastofibroma dorsi does not have formal disease subtypes in the way some conditions do. Symptoms don’t always look the same for everyone. Instead, doctors usually describe the main variations by whether the lump causes symptoms and whether it appears on one side or both sides. When people ask about the types of elastofibroma dorsi, these are the patterns they usually mean.
Asymptomatic
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi do not feel anything at all, and the growth is found by chance on a scan or during an exam. In these cases, there may still be a firm area under the shoulder blade, but it often does not interfere with daily life.
Symptomatic
Some people with elastofibroma dorsi notice a feeling of fullness, a rubbing or snapping sensation near the shoulder blade, or discomfort when reaching, lifting, or lying on that side. Pain is usually mild to moderate, and symptoms often become more noticeable with repeated shoulder movement.
Unilateral
In unilateral elastofibroma dorsi, the growth is present on only one side of the back, usually beneath one shoulder blade. Symptoms, if they happen, tend to stay limited to that side and may be easier to mistake for a shoulder or upper back strain.
Bilateral
Bilateral elastofibroma dorsi means similar growths are present under both shoulder blades. One side may bother you more than the other, and sometimes one side causes symptoms while the other does not.
Can I slow down the onset of symptoms?
No one has shown that lifestyle changes or medicines can clearly delay the start of symptoms from elastofibroma dorsi, a noncancerous growth that usually forms under the shoulder blade. Research suggests repeated rubbing or heavy use of the shoulder area may play a role, so reducing repeated strain may help some people with discomfort, but it has not been proven to prevent the growth or stop symptoms from starting. There are no standard screening tests or preventive medicines for this condition, but if rubbing, pain, or a catching feeling near the shoulder blade begins, getting it checked early can help you manage symptoms and decide what to do next.
What genetics can tell you about symptoms
At this time, genetics cannot reliably predict the symptoms of elastofibroma dorsi. A few families have had more than one affected relative, which suggests there may be an inherited tendency in some cases, but no single gene change is known to clearly determine which symptoms happen, how severe they become, or when they start. For most people living with elastofibroma dorsi, symptoms such as a firm lump under the shoulder blade, discomfort, or a catching feeling with shoulder movement seem to be influenced more by the size and location of the growth than by known genetic differences.
Causes and risk factors
Elastofibroma dorsi seems to develop after years of friction and strain in the tissue under the shoulder blade. It is seen more often in people who do repeated shoulder movements at work, in sports, or in daily routines, although it can happen without a clear cause. Age is one of the main risk factors for elastofibroma dorsi, and it is most common in older adults, especially women. Family history also appears to play a part, which suggests some people inherit a higher chance of developing it. Risk can vary widely from person to person.
What are the most common causes or risk factors?
The exact cause of elastofibroma dorsi is not fully known, but it seems to happen most often in older adults, especially women, and may be linked to years of repeated rubbing or strain in the tissues under the shoulder blade. This can be more common in people whose daily work or activities involve frequent shoulder use, such as lifting, carrying, or repetitive arm movements. Some families have more than one person with this condition, so an inherited tendency may also play a role for some people.
Environmental and biological risk factors
Elastofibroma dorsi is usually linked to changes in tissue over time and repeated stress beneath the shoulder blade. Doctors often group risks into internal (biological) and external (environmental). The best-known risk factors for elastofibroma dorsi are older age, female sex, and long-term mechanical rubbing in the shoulder area. These factors raise the chance of it developing, but they do not mean it will definitely happen.
Elastofibroma dorsi is far more common in older adults, especially after age 50 to 60. Age-related changes in connective tissue may make this slow-growing mass more likely to form.
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi are women, particularly later in life. The exact reason is not fully understood, but sex appears to influence risk.
Repeated rubbing between the lower shoulder blade and the chest wall is one of the main environmental links. Over many years, this mechanical stress may trigger the thickened elastic and fibrous tissue seen in elastofibroma dorsi.
Jobs or tasks with frequent lifting, reaching, or forceful shoulder movement can increase strain in the area where elastofibroma dorsi usually develops. This may help explain why it is seen more often in people with long-term manual work histories.
Genetic risk factors
Elastofibroma dorsi usually does not come from one clearly inherited gene change. Instead, the limited evidence suggests some people are born with a connective tissue makeup that makes this benign growth more likely, especially when it appears in more than one family member. It’s usually a combination of influences rather than one clear cause, but on the genetic side, family patterns matter more than any single known mutation. At this point, routine genetic testing is not part of standard care for elastofibroma dorsi.
Family history: Elastofibroma dorsi has sometimes been reported in more than one person in the same family. This suggests an inherited tendency, although the exact level of risk for relatives is not known.
No single gene: When people ask about the genetic risk factors for elastofibroma dorsi, the key point is that no single causative gene has been confirmed. Researchers have not found one inherited gene change that explains most cases. Because of this, routine genetic testing is usually not helpful.
Tissue makeup: Inherited differences in how elastic fibers and supporting tissue are formed or repaired may play a role. These changes seem to create susceptibility rather than directly causing elastofibroma dorsi in everyone who carries them.
Population background: Elastofibroma dorsi has been reported more often in some population groups, which may reflect shared inherited background. Even so, most people from these backgrounds will never develop it.
Lifestyle risk factors
Lifestyle factors linked to elastofibroma dorsi are mainly those that increase repeated mechanical stress between the shoulder blade and chest wall. The condition is not thought to come from diet alone, and research on lifestyle risk factors is limited compared with other musculoskeletal problems. Still, when people ask about lifestyle risk factors for elastofibroma dorsi, the clearest concern is long-term repetitive shoulder and upper-back strain.
Frequent shoulder motion can increase friction under the shoulder blade over time. This repeated rubbing is thought to contribute to the tissue changes seen in elastofibroma dorsi.
Jobs or activities that involve lifting, carrying, pulling, or forceful upper-body effort may place ongoing stress on the scapular region. Years of this kind of strain may raise the chance that elastofibroma dorsi develops or becomes more noticeable.
Repeated overhead reaching in sports, housework, or physical labor can increase scapular movement against the chest wall. That may worsen local mechanical irritation and make symptoms such as snapping, fullness, or discomfort more likely.
Habitually using one arm more than the other for work or sport can create uneven friction on one side of the back. This may help explain why some people develop a larger or more symptomatic mass on the dominant side.
Risk prevention
Elastofibroma dorsi usually cannot be fully prevented because its exact cause is not clear, and age and body mechanics seem to play a role. Prevention is about lowering risk, not eliminating it completely. For many, this means reducing repeated strain around the shoulder blades and getting new symptoms checked sooner rather than later. If you notice rubbing, fullness, or discomfort when moving your shoulder, early attention may help limit day-to-day irritation.
Repeated overhead work and forceful shoulder motion may raise the chance of elastofibroma dorsi in some people. Taking breaks, rotating tasks, and avoiding long periods of the same movement can help reduce ongoing friction near the shoulder blade.
Adjusting work height, lifting technique, and reach distance can lower strain on the upper back and shoulders. This may be especially helpful for people whose jobs involve cleaning, carrying, assembly work, or frequent arm use.
Gentle strengthening and stretching for the shoulders, upper back, and chest may help the area move more smoothly. While this does not guarantee prevention of elastofibroma dorsi, it can reduce mechanical stress in some people.
Sudden increases in heavy lifting or intense upper-body exercise can irritate tissues around the shoulder blade. Building up activity gradually may be kinder to the area, especially if you already notice tightness or rubbing.
Can you prevent Elastofibroma dorsi?
Right now, there is no proven way to prevent Elastofibroma dorsi, a noncancerous growth that often forms under the shoulder blade. It may be linked to aging and repeated rubbing or strain in that area, so reducing long-term heavy, repetitive shoulder use could possibly help in some people, but this has not been clearly proven.
Transmission
Elastofibroma dorsi is not contagious, so it cannot be passed from one person to another through everyday contact, coughing, blood, food, or sex. For many people, that means there is no risk of giving Elastofibroma dorsi to family members, coworkers, or close contacts.
When people ask how Elastofibroma dorsi is inherited, the answer is that there is no clear, well-defined inheritance pattern. Most cases happen sporadically, meaning they appear without a strong family history, although a few families have had more than one affected relative, which suggests genes may play some part.
When to test your genes
Genetic testing is not usually recommended for elastofibroma dorsi, because it is generally considered a benign, noninherited growth linked more to repetitive friction and age than to a known single-gene cause. Testing might be considered only if your clinical picture suggests another inherited connective tissue or tumor condition.
Diagnosis
Elastofibroma dorsi is usually found when a doctor evaluates a slow-growing lump under the shoulder blade or checks imaging done for shoulder pain, clicking, or stiffness. Many people living with elastofibroma dorsi have no symptoms at all, and the lump is noticed by chance. The diagnosis of elastofibroma dorsi often comes from its typical location and appearance on a scan, with further testing only if the findings are not fully clear.
Doctors ask about shoulder discomfort, a feeling of rubbing or snapping with arm movement, and how long the lump has been present. A detailed family and health history can help, although elastofibroma dorsi is usually not diagnosed from family history alone.
Your doctor feels beneath the shoulder blade for a firm, poorly defined mass that may become easier to notice when the arm moves forward or across the body. They also check shoulder motion and whether the area is tender or causing mechanical symptoms.
MRI or CT scans are often the main tests because elastofibroma dorsi has a very typical pattern under the lower shoulder blade, sometimes on both sides. These imaging findings can strongly support the diagnosis of elastofibroma dorsi and may make further testing unnecessary.
An ultrasound may be used to look at the lump in a simple, noninvasive way. It can help show that the mass has mixed fibrous and fatty tissue, but it is usually less specific than MRI.
How is Elastofibroma dorsi diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose elastofibroma dorsi by where the lump is, how it feels on exam, and what symptoms are happening, such as a firm swelling or a rubbing or snapping feeling under the shoulder blade when the arm moves. A scan, most often an MRI and sometimes an ultrasound or CT scan, usually shows a very typical pattern that helps confirm the diagnosis. If the lump is in an unusual spot, is growing fast, or does not look typical on the scan, doctors may remove a small sample with a needle to check it under a microscope and make sure it is not something else.
Stages of Elastofibroma dorsi
Elastofibroma dorsi does not have defined progression stages. This is because it is usually a slow-growing, noncancerous lump near the shoulder blade rather than a disease that moves through clear step-by-step phases over time. Doctors usually start with a conversation about symptoms of elastofibroma dorsi, such as a rubbing feeling, stiffness, or discomfort when moving the shoulder, then confirm the diagnosis with an exam and imaging tests like ultrasound, CT, or MRI. In some cases, if the scan is not fully clear or the lump looks unusual, a biopsy may be done to rule out other causes.
Outlook and prognosis
The outlook for people with elastofibroma dorsi is excellent, because it is a benign, slow-growing soft-tissue lesion that does not become cancerous and often causes no symptoms at all. Many patients never need treatment, and when symptoms such as discomfort, snapping of the scapula, or limited shoulder movement are mild, careful observation is usually sufficient. If the mass is painful or interferes with function, surgical removal generally provides very good relief, with low recurrence rates when excision is complete. Mortality is not increased by elastofibroma dorsi itself, and it is not considered a life-threatening condition. The main issues affecting prognosis are symptom burden, the size and location of the lesion, and the small possibility of persistent postoperative discomfort or local recurrence after incomplete removal.
Long-term effects
Elastofibroma dorsi is usually a long-lasting but noncancerous growth near the shoulder blade, and for many people it changes little over time. Some live with no symptoms at all, while others notice discomfort mainly with reaching, lifting, or lying on one side. It’s important to remember that long-term doesn’t always mean progressive, and elastofibroma dorsi does not usually affect life expectancy.
Many elastofibromas stay about the same size for years or grow very slowly. This means the long-term effects of elastofibroma dorsi are often mild and stable rather than rapidly worsening.
Ongoing aching, pressure, or a rubbing sensation around the lower shoulder blade can continue over time. Some may find it most noticeable when reaching overhead, pulling, or doing repetitive arm movements.
If the growth is large or sits where tissues glide during shoulder motion, it can make movement feel stiff or awkward. For many, this can mean trouble with full arm range or discomfort during daily tasks such as dressing or lifting groceries.
Some people with elastofibroma dorsi notice snapping, clicking, or a feeling that something is catching under the shoulder blade. This can persist long term, especially during repeated shoulder motion.
How is it to live with Elastofibroma dorsi?
Living with elastofibroma dorsi often means having a firm lump beneath the shoulder blade that may feel more noticeable than dangerous, though for some people it can cause a rubbing sensation, stiffness, or discomfort when reaching, lifting, or lying on that side. Many living with it find that daily life is only mildly affected, but repetitive shoulder movements, exercise, or physical work can become annoying or tiring, especially if the growth is large or present on both sides. Because it is benign and does not spread like cancer, much of the experience is about managing symptoms and uncertainty, and those around you may mainly notice the need to avoid certain movements or to make small adjustments in work, sleep, or caregiving routines.
Treatment and drugs
Elastofibroma dorsi is often treated based on how much it bothers you in daily life, since many people have little or no pain and do not need active treatment. If the lump causes shoulder discomfort, a rubbing or snapping feeling, or makes it harder to reach, lift, or sleep on that side, doctors may recommend monitoring it over time or removing it with surgery. There is no specific drug that shrinks elastofibroma dorsi, but pain-relieving medicines may help with symptoms, and doctors sometimes recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and drugs. Not every treatment works the same way for every person, so the best plan depends on symptoms, the size and location of the growth, and whether it is affecting movement.
Can you cure Elastofibroma dorsi?
Yes. Elastofibroma dorsi is a noncancerous growth, and if it causes pain, clicking, or trouble moving the shoulder, surgery to remove it usually gets rid of it for good. If it is not bothering you, many people do not need treatment and can simply be checked over time.
Non-drug treatment
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi do not need active treatment, especially if the lump is small and not causing much pain or shoulder rubbing. When symptoms do happen, day-to-day care usually aims to reduce discomfort, improve shoulder movement, and avoid activities that keep irritating the area. Managing this condition often starts with simple steps rather than an operation. If symptoms are more limiting, surgery may be considered.
If elastofibroma dorsi is not painful or is only mildly bothersome, careful monitoring is often the first step. This means keeping an eye on changes in size, pain, or shoulder movement and checking in with your doctor if symptoms start to interfere with daily life.
Repeated shoulder motions, heavy lifting, or tasks that cause rubbing under the shoulder blade can make symptoms more noticeable. Adjusting how you work, exercise, or carry loads can help reduce flare-ups and is a common part of non-surgical treatment for elastofibroma dorsi.
Guided stretching and strengthening can help the shoulder move more comfortably and may ease the feeling of catching or tightness. Some may find that posture work and shoulder-blade mechanics are especially helpful when reaching overhead, getting dressed, or lifting groceries.
Heat, ice, and other supportive therapies can help calm soreness after activity. Some people also benefit from massage or soft-tissue work around the shoulder region, although these approaches do not remove the growth itself.
Your genes may have an impact on how drugs work for you
For people with elastofibroma dorsi, treatment is usually simple, such as watching the lump over time, using common pain relievers if it aches, or having surgery if it causes bothersome rubbing or limits shoulder movement. Right now, there is no well-established evidence that inherited gene differences meaningfully change how people respond to the medicines commonly used for this condition, so genetic testing is not a routine part of care. In other words, medicine choices are usually based on symptoms, overall health, and whether surgery is needed, not on a person’s genes.
Pharmacological treatments
For many living with elastofibroma dorsi, medication is mainly about easing pain or irritation around the shoulder blade rather than treating the lump itself. There is no standard drug that makes elastofibroma dorsi go away, and many people do not need medicine at all if symptoms are mild. Drugs that target symptoms directly are called symptomatic treatments. When discomfort flares with reaching, lifting, or sleeping on one side, short-term pain relief for elastofibroma dorsi may be enough while your clinician monitors the area.
Acetaminophen can help ease mild to moderate pain when the area feels sore after shoulder movement or pressure. It does not treat the growth itself, but it may make day-to-day activity more comfortable.
Ibuprofen or naproxen may be used when elastofibroma dorsi causes pain linked to irritation and movement. These medicines can reduce both pain and inflammation, but they are not suitable for everyone, especially people with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, or certain heart risks.
Diclofenac gel may be an option when tenderness is close to the surface and limited to one area near the shoulder blade. Using a medicine on the skin can sometimes lower the chance of whole-body side effects compared with pills.
In selected cases, a clinician may consider a local injection such as lidocaine for temporary numbing or a corticosteroid to calm irritation in nearby soft tissue. This is not a routine treatment for elastofibroma dorsi itself, but it may help if symptoms are focused and persistent.
Genetic influences
If you have been told you have elastofibroma dorsi, it is understandable to wonder why it developed, especially if a similar lump near the shoulder blade has shown up in relatives. For most people, elastofibroma dorsi is not linked to one known inherited disorder, and no single gene has been confirmed as the usual cause. It’s natural to ask whether family history plays a role. A few families have had more than one member affected, which suggests some people may inherit a tendency to develop this benign tissue growth, but repeated rubbing between the shoulder blade and chest wall, aging, and other non-genetic factors also seem to be important. That is why people looking up whether elastofibroma dorsi is hereditary usually find that any inherited risk appears limited and not simple or predictable. Because the genetic link is still unclear and elastofibroma dorsi is noncancerous, genetic testing is not a routine part of care, though telling your doctor if several close relatives have had similar growths can still be useful.
Is Elastofibroma dorsi genetic?
Genetics do not seem to be the main driver of elastofibroma dorsi. Still, some familial cases suggest inherited variations may raise susceptibility, while aging and repeated shoulder movement likely play a larger role in most people.
Having a genetic risk is not necessarily a diagnosis
Genetic variants are a usual part of being human and are widespread in the general population. Most do not directly affect health and are simply part of natural human variation. For many genes, having a variant associated with a condition points to a possible link rather than a definite diagnosis, especially when several genes and environmental factors are involved. In some situations, though, one well-understood variant in a particular gene can be enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Pharmacogenetics—how genetics influence drug effects
For most people living with elastofibroma dorsi, genetics do not currently guide treatment in the same way they do for some cancers or heart conditions. This condition is usually managed with watchful waiting if it is not causing problems, or surgery if shoulder rubbing, pain, or a snapping feeling under the shoulder blade starts to interfere with daily life. Not every difference in response is genetic, but there is no well-established genetic test that helps doctors choose medicines specifically for elastofibroma dorsi, partly because drug treatment for elastofibroma dorsi is usually limited to short-term pain relief around symptoms or surgery rather than long-term disease-targeting drugs. A family pattern has been reported in some cases, which suggests inherited factors may sometimes raise the chance of developing it, but this does not usually change the medicines a doctor would use. If pain relievers, anesthesia, or other routine medicines are needed, doctors choose them mainly based on your symptoms, other health conditions, and possible side effects rather than on genes linked to elastofibroma dorsi itself.
Interactions with other conditions
For many living with elastofibroma dorsi, the main issue is not that it causes other illnesses, but that it can be mistaken for them or show up alongside common shoulder and back problems. Having more than one diagnosis can make symptoms feel harder to untangle. A rubbing or clicking feeling under the shoulder blade, stiffness, or pain with reaching can overlap with rotator cuff problems, shoulder arthritis, bursitis, or pain coming from the neck, so the early symptoms of elastofibroma dorsi are sometimes blamed on a more familiar condition. This matters because treatment may be different if the lump itself is causing the discomfort. Elastofibroma dorsi is also important to tell apart from other soft tissue masses on scans, since it is benign and does not usually behave like cancer. In older adults especially, it may simply coexist with other age-related joint or muscle conditions, which can make it harder to tell which problem is driving day-to-day symptoms.
How genes can cause diseases
Humans have more than 20,000 genes, each carrying out one or a few specific functions in the body. One gene instructs the body to digest lactose from milk, another tells the body how to build strong bones and another prevents the body's cells from beginning to multiply uncontrollably and developing into cancer. As all of these genes combined are the building instructions for our body, a defect in one of these genes can have severe health consequences.
Through decades of genetic research, we know the genetic code of any healthy/functional human gene. We have also identified that in certain positions on a gene, some individuals may have a different genetic letter from the one you have. We call these hotspots "Genetic Variations" or "Variants" in short. In many cases, studies have been able to show that having the genetic letter "G" in the position makes you healthy, but having the letter "A" in the same position disrupts the gene function and causes a disease. Genopedia allows you to view these variants in genes and summarizes all that we know from scientific research, which genetic letters (Genotype) have good or bad consequences on your health or on your traits.
What other conditions can cause similar symptoms to Elastofibroma dorsi?
Similar symptoms to elastofibroma dorsi can happen with a lipoma, which is a harmless fatty lump, irritation of a small fluid-filled cushion near the shoulder blade, or muscle strain and scar tissue in the upper back. Doctors also make sure it is not another type of growth under the skin or muscle, including a rare cancer, especially if the lump is growing fast, looks unusual on imaging, or causes strong pain.
History
Many people with elastofibroma dorsi first hear about it after a scan for shoulder or back discomfort, or after noticing a firm area under the shoulder blade when reaching, lifting, or getting dressed. That everyday picture helps explain why the condition was overlooked for so long: it often grows slowly, may cause few symptoms, and can easily be mistaken for a more common muscle or soft-tissue problem.
Elastofibroma dorsi entered the medical literature in the 20th century, when doctors began describing a distinctive, noncancerous growth found deep under the shoulder blade, most often in older adults. At first, it was recognized mainly by what surgeons and pathologists saw during operations and under the microscope. Once considered rare, it is now recognized as a condition that may be more common than earlier reports suggested, especially because some people have no symptoms and are only diagnosed when imaging is done for another reason.
As imaging tests such as CT and MRI became more widely used, doctors got much better at spotting elastofibroma dorsi without surgery. This changed care in an important way. Instead of assuming every lump in this area needed to be removed, clinicians learned that the typical location and appearance can strongly suggest a benign condition, especially when it appears on both sides.
Over time, researchers also noticed patterns that hinted at a biological predisposition in some families, although the full picture is broader than heredity alone. Repeated friction between the shoulder blade and chest wall was long thought to play a major part, and that idea still helps explain why the growth forms in such a specific place. Today, the history of elastofibroma dorsi is really a story of better recognition: what was once an unusual surgical finding is now more often identified accurately and managed with reassurance, monitoring, or treatment only when symptoms make daily life harder.