If a person has back pain in the area of the shoulder blades, he automatically associates this with the condition of the spine.They are partly right: this long-lasting core of our skeleton takes heavy loads, which cannot but affect its condition.
But often pain in this area of the back signals a disturbance in the internal organs.The nature of the pain corresponds to the disease, so when visiting a doctor, it is important to describe its manifestations in as much detail as possible.
What causes pain in the shoulder blade area
Pain is caused by pathological changes in:
- spine;
- Internal organs;
- Surrounding structures.
Pain in the scapular region and in some rare diseases:
- Fractures of the spine and its systemic lesions;
- Metastases in the spine due to cancer of the stomach and sometimes other organs.
Pain is localized depending on the type of disease:
- Above the shoulder blades;
- Under the shoulder blades;
- Between the shoulder blades;
- In the shoulder blades.
Symptoms associated with pathologies of internal organs
The stomach, lungs, liver and heart can project their pain below the scapula - on the right or left.
If it hurts on the left side, it could be a sign of:
- Stomach ulcer: the pain is intermittent, associated with exacerbations of a seasonal nature.They are accompanied by painful sensations in the upper abdomen.When the pain increases, vomiting occurs;
- Myocardial infarction: the disease is accompanied by sharp chest pain radiating under the left shoulder blade.Cardiac ischemia has similar signs, but in this case the pain also appears in the left arm;
- Gastric ulcer breakthrough: the patient's body becomes covered in cold sweat, he may feel sick and even vomit.The patient tries to relieve the suffering by changing the position, but these actions do not give the expected effect;
- Intercostal neuralgia: pain under the left scapula occurs in attacks, aggravated by the slightest physical exertion.There is a sensation of numbness and burning in the region of the heart.It hurts when coughing and taking a deep breath.
Pain under the right shoulder blade can occur when:
- Psychological problems in the body.At the same time, the patient feels warmth in the chest, may complain of compression and numbness of 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 scapula is affected by coughing;
- Kidney diseases: in this case, coughing also leads to increased pain, but unlike lung diseases, the patient experiences difficulty urinating.
Pain associated with pathologies of the spine
Spinal 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 shoulder blade area.
For any pathology of the spine, pain between the shoulder blades is necessarily accompanied by:
- stiffness;
- Pins and needles sensation;
- Numbness.
Osteochondrosis
If the nutrition of the tissues is disturbed, dystrophic changes occur in them.In the spine, this process affects the intervertebral discs.They can no longer withstand the pressure that the vertebrae put on them.The loss of elasticity of the discs leads to compression of the spine.The nerve endings in the spinal cord are under pressure, which is where severe pain occurs.
The body tries to protect the spine from heavy loads by growing bone tissue along the edges of the spinal processes.Bone growths are called osteophytes.They can be removed, but against the background of osteochondrosis, they will grow again.
Pain in osteochondrosis is localized at the site of damage to the spine.If the cervical spine is affected, the patient has pain on the right side of the neck in the morning.The pain radiates to the shoulder and arm, is felt above the shoulder blade.You may feel dizzy, and the pain worsens with deep breathing and coughing.
Osteochondrosis of the chest manifests itself as pain between the shoulder blades - on the right and left side of the spine.Sneezing, coughing and sudden movements can increase the pain.When you try to straighten your shoulders, the chest and interscapular areas begin to crunch.
It becomes difficult for a person to breathe through the chest, as the mobility of the ribs decreases and he unconsciously switches to stomach breathing.
Osteochondrosis is treated with a conservative method.The patient is prescribed:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Physiotherapy procedures;
- Therapeutic gymnastics;
- reflexology;
- Massages;
- Spinal traction;
- Manual therapy.
If none of the treatment methods are effective, surgeons get to work.
Spondyloarthrosis
The symptoms of this disease are similar to osteochondrosis.But in this case, the intervertebral disc is displaced, not worn out.The hyaline cartilage is forced to bear the load.In such extreme conditions, its tissue thins and loses its ability to perform its functions.
If spondyloarthrosis is not treated, the entire joint can become inflamed and then completely lose its mobility.The patient's condition is worsened by osteophytes.
Scoliosis
The curvature of the spine relative 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 the pain appears periodically - if a person overexerts his back or stands or sits in one position for a long time.
Early scoliosis cannot be determined visually, so if pain occurs in the scapula region, it is in the patient's interest to consult a doctor.He will appoint an X-ray - direct and lateral.
With the further 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 of them will be lower than the other.
Treatment of scoliosis is a long process, even with its high intensity.Massages, special exercises and wearing a corset will help get rid of the curvature of the spine.
Intervertebral hernia
The intervertebral disc consists of:
- Gel core;
- The fibrous ring, consisting of fibers;
- Two thin layers of cartilage that cover the discs above and below.
The nucleus is located inside the annulus, and the cartilaginous tissue enclosing the structure simultaneously serves as a conduit for 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.Their thickness decreases, the fibrous ring cracks under the influence of loads, opening the exit to the gelatinous mass of the nucleus.This process is accompanied by severe pain.It is concentrated in one point, but sometimes there is a return to the lung and heart area.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is extremely rare, therefore, when pain occurs in the scapula region, the patient is first checked for the presence of other diseases.
Intervertebral hernia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and special exercises.In severe cases, only surgery can help.
Advanced pathology causes damage to the pelvic organs and paralysis of the legs.
Spinal tuberculosis
Tuberculosis bacteria can affect any part of the spine, but 60% of cases occur in the thoracic region.Most often men suffer from this disease.Most often, several vertebrae are involved in the process, but there are cases when tuberculosis spreads to three or more.
Symptoms of the disease can vary depending on the number of affected vertebrae.But there is one constant sign - the pain.If it is felt between the shoulder blades, it indicates damage to the cervical spine.
It also hurts with tuberculosis of the chest area, but in this case the pain will radiate (give) to the chest, groin or abdomen.Patients complain of burning, twisting and "piercing" in the back.
Spinal tuberculosis is difficult to diagnose;severe pain appears already at the stage of various complications.If you have even the slightest doubt about this disease, immediately go to a specialist for an examination.
Overexertion and hypothermia
If the back is overloaded, painful sensations may also appear in the shoulder blade area.In itself, this phenomenon 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 with sedentary jobs, etc. complain of back pain.If hypothermia is added to overstrain (drafts, running air conditioner), you can get lumbago - severe pain concentrated under the shoulder blades or in the spine.
This disease is treated with warming ointments, anti-inflammatory agents and massages.
myositis
Flu, ARVI, severe hypothermia can lead to myositis - inflammation of muscle tissue.Most often, the muscles located in the area of the scapula are affected by this disease.This condition does not threaten the body with anything terrible, but the painful pain creates discomfort.
Pain-relieving and warming ointments relieve suffering.
Pain in shoulder blades
Painful sensations appear for several reasons:
- Fracture or injury caused by a fall.Shoulder joint swells, hurts when moving the limb;
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue): accompanied by an increase in temperature, fever due to intoxication of the whole body;
- Pterygoid scapula: this effect is caused by damage to the anterior serratus (located on the side of the chest), paralysis of the rhomboid, trapezoid muscles or their traumatic rupture (which affects circus acrobats and gymnasts, professional athletes).
If the synovial bursa is inflamed, the scapula begins to creak.In addition to this problem, the patient is worried about 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:
- X-ray of the chest;
- Laboratory research;
- ultrasound;
- Magnetic resistance or computed tomography;
- EKG.
All tests are prescribed by the surgeon - if you have back pain, go to him first.But in the future, based on the results of the study, he will need counseling:
- Orthopedist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurologist;
- pulmonologist.
If for some reason the doctor did not pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, go to a consultation on your own initiative.
Treatment
Self-medication for pain in the shoulder blade area is strictly contraindicated.The maximum that the patient can afford is to take painkillers and analgesics.The appointment should be one-time and only if necessary for pain relief before visiting a doctor.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor: usually it is enough to take analgesics, chondroprotectors and anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the condition.In addition, the doctor describes a treatment scheme designed to eliminate the main causes of pain in the scapula area.