If a person has back pain in the shoulder blade area, he automatically associates it with the condition of the spine.They are partly right: this long-lasting core of our skeleton takes heavy loads, which cannot help but affect its condition.
But pain in this part of the back often signals a disorder in the internal organs.The nature of the pain corresponds to the disease, so when visiting the 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 scapula region and in some rare diseases:
- Fractures of the spine and its systemic lesions;
- Spinal metastases due to stomach cancer and sometimes other organs.
Pain is localized according to 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
Stomach, lungs, liver and heart can project their pain below the shoulder blade - right or left.
If it hurts on the left side, it can be a sign:
- Stomach ulcer: the pain is of a periodic nature, associated with exacerbations of a seasonal nature.They are accompanied by painful sensations in the upper part of the abdomen.When the pain increases, vomiting occurs;
- Myocardial infarction: the disease is accompanied by acute chest pain radiating under the left shoulder blade.Cardiac ischemia has similar signs, but in this case the pain also occurs in the left arm;
- Breaking through a stomach ulcer: the patient's body breaks out in a cold sweat, he may feel nauseous and even vomit.The patient tries to alleviate the suffering by changing the position, but these actions do not give the expected effect;
- Intercostal neuralgia: pain under the left shoulder blade comes in attacks, aggravated by the slightest physical stress.There is a burning and stinging sensation in the region of the heart.It hurts when you cough and take 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 tingling in the heart muscle;
- Pathological changes in the gallbladder: additional symptoms - bitterness in the mouth after fatty, salty and fried food, pain in the right hypochondrium;
- Pleurisy and pneumonia: pain under the right scapula is reflected in the cough;
- Kidney diseases: in this case, the cough also leads to increased pain, but, unlike lung diseases, the patient has difficulty urinating.
Pain associated with pathologies of the spinal column
Spine problems can occur after injuries, fractures or bruises.But there are also diseases that have no obvious causes.And all of them manifest as pain in the scapular region.
For any pathology of the spine, pain between the shoulder blades is necessarily accompanied by:
- stiffness;
- Pins and needles sensation;
- Numbness.
Osteochondrosis
If tissue nutrition is disturbed, dystrophic changes occur in them.In the spinal column, 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 of the spinal cord are under pressure, which causes severe pain.
The body tries to protect the spine from heavy loads by growing bone tissue along the edges of the spine.Bone growths are called osteophytes.They can be removed, but they will grow again against the background of osteochondrosis.
Pain in osteochondrosis is localized at the site of damage to the spinal column.If the cervical spine is affected, the patient has pain on the right side of the neck in the morning.The pain spreads to the shoulder and arm, is felt above the shoulder blade.You may feel dizzy, and the pain increases with deep breathing and coughing.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests itself as pain between the shoulder blades - to the right and left of the spinal column.Sneezing, coughing and sudden movements can increase the pain.When you try to straighten your shoulders, your chest and shoulder blades start to crack.
It becomes difficult for a person to breathe through the chest, because the mobility of the ribs decreases and unconsciously switches to belly breathing.
Osteochondrosis is treated with a conservative method.The patient is prescribed:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Physiotherapy procedures;
- Therapeutic gymnastics;
- Reflexology;
- Massages;
- Traction of the spine;
- Manual therapy.
If none of the treatment methods are effective, surgeons go to work.
Spondyloarthrosis
The symptoms of this disease are similar to osteochondrosis.But in this case, the intervertebral disc is displaced, not exhausted.The hyaline cartilage is forced to bear the load.In such extreme conditions, its tissue becomes thinner and loses its ability to perform its functions.
If spondyloarthrosis is not treated, the entire joint can become inflamed and then completely lose mobility.The patient's condition is aggravated by osteophytes.
Scoliosis
The curvature of the spinal column 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 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 visually determined, so if pain occurs in the scapular region, it is in the patient's best interest to consult a doctor.He will prescribe an X-ray - direct and lateral.
With the further development of scoliosis, it can be detected independently: the "zigzag" of the spinal column becomes 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-term process even with high intensity.Massages, special exercises and wearing a corset will help to get rid of the curvature of the spine.
Intervertebral hernia
The intervertebral disc consists of:
- Gelatinous core;
- A fibrous ring consisting of fibers;
- Two thin layers of cartilage covering the discs above and below.
The nucleus is located inside the ring, and the cartilage 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.Their thickness decreases, the fibrous ring breaks under the influence of the load, opening the exit to the gelatinous mass of the core.This process is accompanied by severe pain.It is concentrated at one point, but sometimes returns to the lung and heart region.
Intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is extremely rare, therefore, when pain occurs in the scapular region, the patient is first checked for the presence of other diseases.
Intervertebral hernia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and special exercises.In severe cases, only surgery can help.
Advanced pathology causes damage to the pelvic organs and paralysis of the legs.
Tuberculosis of the spine
Tuberculosis bacteria can affect any part of the spine, but 60% of cases occur in the thoracic region.Men mostly suffer from this disease.Several vertebrae are usually involved in the process, but there are cases when tuberculosis spreads to three or more.
The symptoms of the disease can vary depending on the number of affected vertebrae.But there is one constant sign - pain.If it is felt between the shoulder blades, it indicates damage to the cervical vertebra.
It also hurts with tuberculosis of the chest, but in that case the pain will radiate (give) to the chest, groin or stomach.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 suspicion of this disease, immediately go to a specialist for an examination.
Overvoltage and hypothermia
If the back is overloaded, painful sensations in the area of the scapula may also appear.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 engaged in sedentary work, etc.they complain of back pain.If hypothermia is added to overexertion (draught, operation of the air conditioner), you can get lumbago - severe pain concentrated under the shoulder blades or in the spine.
This condition is treated with warming ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs and massages.
Myositis
Flu, ARVI, severe hypothermia can lead to myositis - inflammation of muscle tissue.The muscles located in the scapular region are most often affected by this disease.This condition does not threaten the body with anything terrible, but the aching pain causes discomfort.
Painkillers and warming ointments ease the suffering.
Pain in shoulder blades
Painful sensations occur for several reasons:
- A fracture or injury caused by a fall.The shoulder joint swells, it hurts to move the limb;
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue): accompanied by a rise 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, trapezius 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 also suffers from heaviness and clicking in the shoulder joint.
Diagnostics
Since pain in the scapular part 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;
- EKG.
All examinations are prescribed by a surgeon - if you have back pain, go to him first.But in the future, based on the results of the research, he will need consultations:
- Orthopedist;
- Gastroenterologist;
- Neurologist;
- Pulmonologist.
If for any reason the doctor did not pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, go for a consultation on your own initiative.
Treatment
Self-treatment of pain in the scapular region 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 it is necessary to alleviate the pain before visiting the doctor.
The treatment is prescribed by the doctor: it is usually enough to take analgesics, chondroprotectors and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the condition.In addition, the doctor describes a treatment regimen designed to eliminate the underlying causes of pain in the scapular region.