If a person has back pain in the shoulder blade area, he automatically associates this with the condition of the spine.They are partially right: this long-suffering core of our skeleton takes on heavy loads, which cannot but affect its condition.
But often pain in this area of the back signals a disorder in the internal organs.The nature of the pain corresponds to the disease, therefore, when consulting a doctor, it is important to describe its manifestations in as much detail as possible.
What causes pain in the scapular region
Pain is caused by pathological changes in:
- Spine;
- Internal organs;
- Surrounding structures.
Pain in the scapular region and in some rare diseases:
- Spinal fractures and their systemic injuries;
- Metastases in the spine due to cancer of the stomach and sometimes other organs.
The pain is localized according to the type of disease:
- Above the shoulder blades;
- Under the shoulder blades;
- Between the shoulder blades;
- On the shoulder blades.
Symptoms associated with pathologies of internal organs
The stomach, lungs, liver and heart can project pain under the shoulder blade - right or left.
If it hurts on the left, it could be a sign of:
- Gastric ulcer: the pain is periodic in nature, associated with exacerbations of a seasonal nature.They are accompanied by painful sensations in the upper abdomen.When the pain intensifies, vomiting occurs;
- Myocardial infarction: the disease is accompanied by sharp chest pain that radiates under the left shoulder blade.Cardiac ischemia has similar signs, but in this case the pain also occurs in the left arm;
- Advancement of a stomach ulcer: the patient's body is covered in cold sweat, he may feel sick and even vomit.The patient tries to alleviate the suffering by changing position, but these actions do not have the expected effect;
- Intercostal neuralgia: pain under the left shoulder blade appears in attacks, aggravated by the slightest physical stress.There is a tingling and burning sensation in the heart region.It hurts to cough and take a deep breath.
Pain under the right shoulder blade may occur when:
- Psychological problems in the body.At the same time, the patient feels heat in the chest, may complain of compression and tingling in the heart muscle;
- Pathological changes in the gallbladder: additional symptoms - bitterness in the mouth after fatty, salty and fried foods, pain in the right hypochondrium;
- Pleurisy and pneumonia: pain under the right shoulder blade is reflected when coughing;
- Kidney diseases: in this case, coughing also causes increased pain, but, unlike lung diseases, the patient experiences difficulty urinating.
Pain associated with spinal pathologies
Spine problems can occur after injuries, fractures or bruises.But there are also diseases that have no obvious causes.And they all manifest as pain in the scapular region.
For any pathology of the spine, pain between the shoulder blades is necessarily accompanied by:
- Rigidity;
- Feeling of pins and needles;
- Numbness.
Osteochondrosis
If tissue nutrition is disturbed, dystrophic changes occur in them.In the spine, this process affects the intervertebral discs.They can no longer resist the pressure that the vertebrae exert on them.The loss of elasticity of the discs leads to compression of the spine.The nerve endings in the spinal cord come under pressure, where intense pain occurs.
The body tries to protect the spine from heavy loads by increasing bone tissue along the edges of the vertebral processes.The bone growths are called osteophytes.They can be removed, but against the background of osteochondrosis they will grow back.
Pain in osteochondrosis is localized at the site of damage to the spine.If the cervical spine is affected, the patient feels pain on the right side of the neck in the morning.The pain radiates to the shoulder and arm, being felt above the shoulder blade.You may feel dizzy and the pain intensifies with deep breaths and coughing.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself as pain between the shoulder blades - to the right and left of the spine.Sneezing, coughing and sudden movements can increase pain.When you try to straighten your shoulders, your chest and interscapular area begin to pop.
It becomes difficult for a person to breathe through their chest as the mobility of their ribs decreases and they unconsciously start breathing through their stomach.
Osteochondrosis is treated with a conservative method.The patient is prescribed:
- Analgesics and anti-inflammatories;
- Physiotherapeutic procedures;
- Therapeutic gymnastics;
- Reflexology;
- Massages;
- Spinal traction;
- Manual therapy.
If none of the treatment methods are effective, surgeons get down to business.
Spondyloarthrosis
The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of osteochondrosis.But in this case, the intervertebral disc is displaced, not depleted.Hyaline cartilage is forced to bear the load.In these extreme conditions, your tissue becomes thinner and loses its ability to perform its functions.
If spondyloarthrosis is not treated, the entire joint can become inflamed and completely lose mobility.The patient's condition is aggravated by osteophytes.
Scoliosis
Curvature of the spine in relation to its axis to the right or left is common - almost half of humanity is affected by this disease.But for most, the disease is not clearly expressed, which is why pain appears periodically - if a person overstrains his back, or stands or sits in one position for a long time.
Early scoliosis cannot be determined visually, therefore, if pain occurs in the scapular region, it is in the patient's best interest to see a doctor.He will prescribe an x-ray - direct and lateral.
With the development of scoliosis, it can be detected independently: the “zigzags” of the spine become clearly defined.Advanced scoliosis is also determined by the relative position of the shoulders - one will be lower than the other.
Scoliosis treatment is a long-term process, even with high intensity.Massages, special exercises and wearing a corset help eliminate the curvature of the spine.
Intervertebral hernia
The intervertebral disc consists of:
- Gel-type core;
- The fibrous ring, made up of fibers;
- Two thin layers of cartilage that cover the discs above and below.
The nucleus is located inside the ring, and the cartilaginous tissue, closing the structure, simultaneously serves as a conductor of nutrition from the vessels of the vertebral body to the disc.
Pathological changes in the vertebrae lead to disruption of metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs.Its thickness decreases, the fibrous ring cracks under the influence of loads, making way for the gelatinous mass of the core.This process is accompanied by severe pain.It focuses on one point, but sometimes returns to the lung and heart regions.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is extremely rare, therefore, when pain appears in the scapular region, the patient is first checked for the presence of other diseases.
Intervertebral hernia is treated with anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and special exercises.In serious conditions, only surgery can help.
Advanced pathology causes damage to the pelvic organs and paralysis of the legs.
Spinal tuberculosis
Tuberculosis microbacteria can affect any part of the spine, but 60% of cases occur in the thoracic region.Most often men suffer from this disease.Mainly a few vertebrae are involved in the process, but there are cases when tuberculosis spreads to three or more.
Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the number of vertebrae affected.But there is one constant sign: pain.If it is felt between the shoulder blades, this indicates damage to the cervical vertebra.
It also hurts with tuberculosis in the thoracic region, but in this case the pain will radiate (give) to the chest, groin or abdomen.Patients complain of burning, twisting and “perforation” in the back.
Spinal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose;intense pain appears already at the stage of various complications.If you have the slightest suspicion of this disease, immediately see a specialist for examination.
Overvoltage and hypothermia
If the back is overloaded, painful sensations may also appear in the scapular region.This phenomenon in itself is not considered a disease, but constant overload can cause osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine and the formation of intervertebral hernias.
Seamstresses, drivers, surgeons, people who perform sedentary work, etc.complain of back pain.If hypothermia is added to excessive exertion (drafts, air conditioning on), you may have low back pain - intense pain concentrated below the shoulder blades or in the spine.
This problem is treated with warming ointments, anti-inflammatories and massages.
Myositis
Flu, ARVI and severe hypothermia can lead to myositis - inflammation of muscle tissue.Most often, the muscles located in the scapular region are affected by this disease.This condition does not threaten the body with anything terrible, but severe pain creates discomfort.
Analgesics and warming ointments alleviate suffering.
Pain in the shoulder blades
Painful sensations appear for several reasons:
- Fracture or injury caused by a fall.The shoulder joint swells, it hurts to move the limb;
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue): accompanied by an increase in temperature, fever due to intoxication of the entire body;
- Pterygoid scapula: this effect is caused by injury to the serratus anterior (located on the side of the chest), paralysis of the rhomboid muscles, trapezius muscles or their traumatic rupture (which affects acrobats and circus gymnasts, professional athletes).
If the synovial bag is inflamed, the shoulder blade begins to crack.In addition to this problem, the patient is bothered by heaviness and clicking in the shoulder joint.
Diagnosis
Since pain in the scapular region of the back signals one of many diseases, the examination is carried out using different methods:
- Chest x-ray;
- Laboratory research;
- Ultrasound;
- Magnetic resistance or computed tomography;
- ECG.
All examinations are prescribed by the surgeon - if you have back pain, go to him first.But in the future, based on the search results, he will need consultation:
- Orthopedist;
- Gastroenterologist;
- Neurologist;
- Pulmonologist.
If for some reason the doctor did not pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, seek a consultation on your own initiative.
Treatment
Self-medication for pain in the scapular region is strictly contraindicated.The most a patient can afford is taking painkillers and pain relievers.The consultation should be unique and only if it is necessary to alleviate the pain before consulting the doctor.
Treatment is prescribed by the doctor: generally, to alleviate the condition, it is enough to take analgesics, chondroprotectors and anti-inflammatories.Additionally, the doctor describes a treatment regimen aimed at eliminating the root causes of pain in the scapular region.