Back pain comes in many forms and varieties. Localization and nature of pain, duration, presence or absence of irradiation to other parts of the body, provoking factors - all this can be combined in various combinations.Back pain in the shoulder blade area.- a common type of pain in various diseases.
The main causes of pain in the shoulder blades and back.
Why does my back hurt in the shoulder blade area?These symptoms can be observed in diseases of the spine, neurological disorders, pathologies of muscles and other organs. These include referred pain in lung and heart diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as pain in radicular syndromes, trauma and osteochondrosis. Let's take a closer look at common causes of pain in the back and shoulder blades.
Injuries
Injuries to the scapula occur in two ways: with direct impact (impact, fall) and indirectly, with loads along the axis of the upper limb (fall on the elbow, sudden contraction of the muscles of the shoulder girdle). In the first case, spinal injuries and rib fractures may occur simultaneously. These types of injuries occur in 50% of serious traffic accidents. With severe bruising, severe pain, limited mobility and intense swelling of the tissues surrounding the shoulder blade may also be observed.
osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common cause. Back painANDspineany location, and also inshoulder blade area. Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the joints and intervertebral discs, resulting from malnutrition and cartilage regeneration, lead to the formation of bulges and hernias, spasms of the back muscles and a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. Spinal nerves may be pinched; The pain may be caused by radicular syndrome.
The pain is caused by bending or twisting the body, lifting weights. Due to the concomitant inflammation of the back muscles, the pain may increase when raising and abducting the arms. Possible rigidity of the spine, hunching, forced position of the patient with a slight inclination forward, the pain may be aching, stabbing, surrounding the chest. Some patients describe it by saying that they feel as if something is trapped between their shoulder blades.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a disease in which a pathological S-shaped curvature of the spine occurs, mainly in the coronary plane. As a result, normal load distribution and biomechanics are altered. Predisposing factors for scoliosis are incorrect posture, weak back muscles, childhood and improper organization of the workplace. Back pain due to scoliosis is usually caused by spasms, inflammation and tension in the muscles that cannot support and stabilize the weakened spine.
Scoliosis is characterized by aching pain that disappears when lying down and intensifies when standing for a long time.
kyphosis
Kyphosis is a pathological curvature of the spine in the sagittal plane, most often occurring in the thoracic region. As a result of kyphosis, the spine begins to resemble a question mark "? " and a hump may begin to form. Predisposing factors for kyphosis are vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis and poor posture. Kyphosis can be caused by trauma or tuberculosis of the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis causes extreme kyphosis of the thoracic region.
Pain from kyphosis, like scoliosis, is caused by muscle tension and spasms as they are subject to excessive stress. At the same time it feelsback muscle painand in the regionshoulder blades
Spondyloarthrosis, spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthrosis are degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints, caused by malnutrition of the articular cartilage, which leads to the gradual destruction of the joints of the spine. Spondyloarthritis is an inflammation of the intervertebral joints that occurs in response to an autoimmune or reactive process (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis). The result of both processes is ankylosis or fusion of the intervertebral joints, which causes an alteration in the mobility of the spine. The difference is that in the first case the inflammation is secondary in nature and arises in response to the destruction of the joints, and in the second case, primary inflammation leads to degenerative-dystrophic changes.
Pain in spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosis is painful in nature and intensifies at night. A characteristic symptom is stiffness and stiffness of the spine in the morning, which disappears after gymnastics or physical activity. The course of the disease is chronic, undulating, with periods of exacerbations and improvements. The pain can be located not only between the shoulder blades, but also throughout the spine.
Protrusion and hernia
Protrusions and herniations of the intervertebral discs are a consequence of advanced osteochondrosis of the spine. The intervertebral disc, which has lost its elasticity and elasticity, or rather its peripheral part, which is called annulus fibrosus, protrudes under the influence of loads and forms a protrusion. If the annulus fibrosus ruptures, the inner contents of the disc fall out, forming a herniated disc. Both intervertebral disc protrusions and herniations can cause entrapment of the roots of the spinal cord that emerge through the intervertebral foramina. Sharp pains, protective tension and muscle spasms occur. The pain can radiate to the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and is often localized in the area of the shoulder blades (with a hernia or protrusion in the thoracic spine).
radiculitis
Sharp pain that begins in the interscapular region and continues along the intercostal spaces is the most common sign of radiculitis. It is caused by pinching of the spinal nerves by a herniated or bulging intervertebral disc. Less commonly, sciatica can be caused by a tumor, spondylosis, or spinal displacement. A characteristic sign of the disease is pain caused by movements of the thoracic spine and lifting heavy objects.
Humeroscapular periarthrosis
Humeroscapular periarthrosis is a disease accompanied by pain in the shoulder and scapula, caused by osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues. Predisposing factors include injuries and microtrauma of the shoulder joint, intense physical activity in athletes and workers, and osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic spine. Humeral periarthrosis is the most common cause of acute pain in the shoulder blades and shoulder joint.
The pain occurs gradually, intensifying from episodic pain during physical activity, with a large range of motion in the shoulder joint (arm swings, throwing, when placing the arm behind the back). Then the pain becomes constant, painful even at rest. For this reason, the patient cannot sleep on the affected side.Pain inshoulder andreturns to the shoulder blade. Possible shooting pains when moving. Characterized by a strong limitation of mobility in the shoulder joint, the patient cannot raise or abduct the arm.
Neuralgia
Aching pain in the shoulder blade area, radiating along the intercostal nerves, is a sign of neuralgia, a chronic neurological disease. A characteristic symptom is increased pain when coughing, sneezing or moving; the pain becomes sharp and stabbing. The cause of the disease is irritation of the roots of the spinal cord due to diseases of the spine, spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosis, inflammation of the muscles. Exacerbation can be provoked by drafts, hypothermia and physical activity.
Heart diseases
Cardiac pathologies are usually accompanied by intense pain in the area of the left shoulder blade. The cause of pain syndrome can be angina, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Sharp severe pain under the left shoulder blade that does not go away for a long time is a sign of ischemia or myocardial infarction. The nature of the pain is varied: from aching, constant to sharp, stabbing pain in the left shoulder and forearm and in the neck on the left side. A characteristic symptom is that pain is relieved by nitrates (drugs for the treatment of heart failure): nitroglycerin, isoket, nitrosorbide.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are a common cause of back pain in the shoulder blade area. Pain is reflex in nature and occurs due to the fact that part of the painful impulses from the solar plexus and receptors of the gastrointestinal tract return to the spinal cord. Pain in the shoulder blade area can occur with hiatus hernia, chronic or acute pancreatitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. For cholecystitis and gallstones.painThey are locatedon the back between the shoulder blades, furtheron the right.
Lung diseases
Pain in the shoulder blades can occur in a number of diseases of the lungs and bronchi. In most cases it is pneumonia, acute bronchitis, asthma and other pathologies. Patients with lung cancer oftenback pain in the shoulder blade area.
Areas of back pain in the shoulder blade area.
Pain in the area of the shoulder blades when inhaling or exhaling is a characteristic sign of intercostal neuralgia, spinal osteochondrosis with protrusion or herniation of the intervertebral disc, inflammation of the back muscles and radiculitis. The reason for the pain is that the act of breathing is ensured by the coordinated contraction of a large number of muscles, and movements even at such a volume can lead to increased pain in the above diseases.
Pain in the sternum and shoulder blades.
Pain in the sternum and shoulder blades is often found in glenohumeral periarthrosis. Inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic changes in the shoulder joint disrupt the normal distribution of loads, therefore pathological changes begin at the place of attachment of the clavicle and ribs to the sternum (Tietze syndrome).
Pain in the sternum and shoulder blades also occurs in diseases of the lungs and heart.
Pain in the right or left shoulder blade.
Pain in the left shoulder blade may reflect heart disease, as mentioned above. Pain in the right shoulder blade is characteristic of acute or chronic cholecystitis, gallstones.
Pain in the shoulder blades and neck.
Back pain,in the area of the shoulder blades and neckpossible with osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine. This symptom is also characteristic of a hernia or protrusion. Referred pain in the neck and shoulder blade is seen in some diseases of the heart and lungs (angina, lung cancer, pneumonia).
Types of pain in the shoulder blades.
Aching pain in the shoulder blade.
Pain in the shoulder blade on the left is observed with heart diseases, on the right - with diseases of the biliary tract, cholelithiasis. Aching pain is accompanied by glenohumeral periarthrosis, neuralgia, and radicular radiculitis. Pain in the back and shoulder blade area is also possible in spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosis.
Pressing pain in the shoulder blade.
Pressing pain in the shoulder blade is characteristic of myositis or inflammatory diseases of the muscles. The shoulder blades are surrounded by a number of muscles, the inflammation of which causes not only pain, but also limited mobility of the shoulder girdle. Severe inflammation of the soft tissues and ligaments of the shoulder joint may also be accompanied by pain.
Dull pain when inhaling.
Dull pain in the back and shoulder blades, aggravated by inhalation, can be observed in pneumonia, lung cancer, neuromuscular pathologies and myositis. This symptom is also a sign of injury, back bruising, and soft tissue hematoma. Dull pain in the back and shoulder blades is accompanied by some spinal cord diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.
Stabbing pain in the shoulder blade.
Stabbing pain in the scapula, which intensifies with movement, sneezing and coughing, is a sign of back injury, fractures and cracks of the scapula. The mechanism of injury is usually a direct physical impact or an indirect impact transmitted along the axis of the upper extremities, for example, by falling on the elbow.
When moving (walking) pain in the shoulder blades.
Pain in the shoulder blades when walking can occur with hernias and protrusions of the thoracic spine. Axial loads on the spine that occur when moving and striking the ground with the heel are transferred to the diseased intervertebral disc and cause pain.
Burning in the area of the shoulder blades.
A burning sensation in the shoulder blade area is a possible sign of acute myocardial infarction. Ischemia (circulatory failure and oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle) of the myocardium is accompanied by severe pain, painful shock and a drop in blood pressure. However, if the posterolateral wall of the left ventricle and the septum of the heart are damaged, the pain can mimic spinal osteochondrosis, poor-quality food poisoning, acute surgical pathology and many other diseases.
Burning and tingling in the skin of the interscapular area can be a symptom of a herniation or protrusion of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic and cervical spine. This symptom occurs in multiple sclerosis and other spinal cord diseases.
Shoulder pain and nausea.
Pain in the left shoulder blade with nausea and vomiting may also indicate an acute myocardial infarction. Similar symptoms are characteristic of acute cholecystitis, gallstones, obstructive jaundice (blockage of the lumen of the bile duct with a stone): pain is localized more to the right, nausea is caused by intoxication.
How to relieve pain in the shoulder blades.
In spinal diseases and many other diseases, rest and bed rest facilitate pain relief. An effective way to combat pain is to prescribe pain relievers, mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, dry heat, distractions, and anti-inflammatory agents in the form of ointments and gels on the skin help. Patches with anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used, the effect of which is limited to the area of application and is not accompanied by significant side effects.
It is important to remember that any pain is an indication to consult a doctor. The reason is that long-term use of pain relievers increases the risk of serious and dangerous complications. Therefore, its use as medical care aims to relieve pain before visiting the doctor. After determining the cause, treatment is adjusted taking into account the diagnosis and the individual characteristics of the patient.
How is shoulder blade pain diagnosed?
To diagnose the causes of pain in the shoulder blades, a clinical examination by a doctor is used, which makes it possible to identify mild symptoms and signs characteristic of a particular disease. A study of skin sensitivity, reflex tests, evaluation of the range of motion in the shoulder joint and spine, etc. is performed. Instrumental methods such as ECG, ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are used to confirm the diagnosis.
MRI is a universal method for diagnosing the causes of back pain associated with pathologies of the spine, spinal cord, joints and soft tissues. The procedure is safe, highly precise and allows detailed images of the area of interest to be obtained. The method is based on the physical phenomenon of magnetic resonance, which is created using only magnetic fields and radio waves that are safe for human health.
Shoulder blade pain treatment
Treatment of pain in the back and shoulder blades is aimed at the cause of the disease (ethiotropic treatment), the mechanisms of its occurrence (pathogenetic treatment) and the symptoms (symptomatic treatment). The treatment plan depends on the patient's diagnosis and condition. As an example, consider a treatment plan for spinal osteochondrosis.
To eliminate degenerative-dystrophic phenomena and improve the nutrition of the soft tissues of the spine, chondroprotectors, vitamin therapy, drugs that improve blood microcirculation, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy are prescribed. To relieve tension in the back muscles, massages are performed and muscle relaxants are prescribed. When a herniated spinal nerve is pinched, physical influence is used: underwater traction, manual therapy. Analgesics are prescribed to combat the pain.
Treat shoulder blade pain at home
Home treatment is possible only if the patient has consulted a doctor and undergone an examination during which an accurate diagnosis has been established. In most cases, the causes of pain in the shoulder blade and back do not require urgent hospitalization, treatment is carried out at home, according to the doctor's prescriptions. However, more often the opposite happens: patients try to receive treatment at home, self-diagnose and use painkillers uncontrollably. The result of self-diagnosis and self-medication is chronic pain and side effects from painkillers. Patients often go to the doctor late when the disease causes complications. In severe diseases, late treatment significantly worsens the prognosis and reduces the likelihood of a complete cure. That is why any back pain requires careful diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.
Which doctor should I see if I have pain in my shoulder blades?
When clarifyingCauses and treatment of pain in the shoulder blades and back.It is managed by a neurologist, since in most cases the pain syndrome is of neurogenic origin. Almost all are diseases of the spine, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Spinal injuries are treated by a traumatologist, but even in this case, if there are neurological symptoms, a consultation with a neurologist is required. In extreme cases, if back pain occurs, it is at least advisable to contact a therapist so that he or she can establish a preliminary diagnosis and refer the patient for consultation with another specialist. The worst thing is that the patient does not go to the doctor and self-medicates: the consequences of such "treatment" cause complications, chronicity of the disease and, in some cases, pose a threat to human health and life.