If a person has back pain in the region of the shoulder blades, he automatically associates it with the position of the spine. They are partly right: this long-suffering core of our skeleton takes the heavy load, which cannot affect its position.
But often pain in this part of the back indicates disturbances in the internal organs. The nature of the pain corresponds to the disease, so it is important to describe its manifestations in as much detail as possible at the doctor's appointment.
why does shoulder hurt
Pathological changes in:
- spinal cord;
- internal organs;
- surrounding structures.
It hurts in the scapular region and in some rare diseases:
- fractures of the spine and its systemic lesions;
- Spinal metastases in the abdomen and sometimes cancer of 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 blade.
Symptoms associated with pathology of internal organs
The stomach, lungs, liver, and heart can present their pain under the shoulder blade – right or left.
If it hurts on the left side, it could be a sign of:
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach: pains are periodic in nature, associated with exacerbations of a seasonal nature. They are accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen. Vomiting is accompanied by an increase in pain;
- Myocardial infarction: the disease is accompanied by acute retrosternal pain, which radiates down the left shoulder blade. Cardiac ischemia has similar symptoms, but in this case, pain also occurs in the left arm;
- rupture of stomach ulcers: the patient's body is covered with cold sweat, he may feel sick until the vomit opens. The patient tries to ease the pain by changing positions, but these actions do not give the expected effect;
- Intercostal neuralgia: The pain under the left shoulder blade comes in attacks, aggravated by slight physical exertion. It causes tingling and burning in the region of the heart. It hurts to cough and take deep breaths.
It can hurt under the right shoulder blade when:
- psychological failure in the body. At the same time, the patient feels warmth in the chest, he may complain of contractility 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 appears under the right shoulder blade when coughing;
- Kidney disease: In this case, cough also increases the pain, but unlike pulmonary diseases, the patient has difficulty urinating.
Pain associated with deformity of the spinal column
Spinal cord problems can occur after injuries, fractures or injuries. But there are also diseases that have no obvious cause. And all of them are manifested by pain in the scapular region.
As with any deformity of the spine, pain between the shoulder blades should include:
- hardness;
- a feeling of goosebumps;
- Numbness.
Interscapular pain when coughing is typical for heavy smokers.
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 exerted on them by the vertebrae. Loss of disc elasticity results in the loss of elasticity of the spine. There is compression of the bone. The nerve endings of the spinal cord come under pressure - this is where the severe pain occurs.
The body tries to protect the spine from heavy loads by increasing bone tissue along the edges of the vertebral 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 spinal column. If the cervical region is affected, the patient has pain in the right side of the neck in the morning. The pain spreads to the shoulder and arm, felt on the shoulder bladeThere may be dizziness in the head, pain is aggravated by deep breathing and coughing.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region manifests as pain between the shoulder blades - the right and left side of the spine. Sneezing, coughing and sudden movements can aggravate the pain. When you try to straighten your shoulders, then the chest and interscapular zone begin to crack.
It becomes difficult for a person to breathe from the chest, as the mobility of the ribs decreases, and he unconsciously begins to breathe with his stomach.
Treat osteochondrosis conservatively. The patient is prescribed:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapy procedures;
- therapeutic gymnastics;
- reflexology;
- massage;
- spinal traction;
- manual therapy.
If none of the treatment methods work, surgeons get down to business.
spondylarthrosis
The symptoms of this disease are similar to osteochondrosis. But in this case, the intervertebral disc is displaced, not eliminated. The hyaline cartilage is forced to bear the load. In such extreme conditions, its tissue becomes thinner andLoses the ability to perform his tasks.
If spondylarthrosis is not treated, the entire joint may swell, and then completely lose mobility. Osteophytes make the patient's condition worse.
colpitis
Curvature of the spinal column to the right or left relative to its axis is common - about half of humanity is affected by this disease. But for the majority, the disease is not pronounced, and therefore pain appears from time to time- If a person strains his back, or stands or sits in one position for a long time.
Early scoliosis cannot be determined visually, therefore, if there is pain in the scapular region, it is in the patient's interest to consult a doctor. He will prescribe an X-ray - direct and lateral.
With the further development of scoliosis, it can be recognized independently: "zigzags" of the spinal column become clearly evident. Running scoliosis is also determined by the relative position of the shoulders - one of them to the other. will be less in comparison.
Treatment of scoliosis is a long-term affair even at its high intensity. Massage, special exercises and wearing a corset will help get rid of the curvature of the spine.
intervertebral hernia
Intervertebral disc is made up of:
- gelatinous core;
- fibrous ring, consisting of fibers;
- Two thin layers of cartilage that cover the top and bottom discs.
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 discs.
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 loads, opening the way out of 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 pulmonary and cardiac regions.
An intervertebral hernia in the thoracic region is extremely rare, therefore, when pain appears in the scapular region, the patient is first examined for other diseases.
An intervertebral hernia is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, and special exercises. In severe situations, only surgery can help.
tuberculosis of the spine
Tuberculosis mycobacteria can affect any part of the spine, but 60% of cases occur in the thoracic region. Most men suffer from this disease. Basically, some vertebrae are involved in the process, but there are cases whenTuberculosis spreads to three or more.
Symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the number of vertebrae affected. But there is one constant symptom - it is pain. If it is felt between the shoulder blades, this indicates a lesion of the cervical vertebra.
It also hurts with tuberculosis of the thoracic region, but in that case the pain will radiate (give) to the chest, groin or abdomen. Patients complain of burning, tingling, "drilling" in the back.
Tuberculosis of the spine is difficult to diagnose, severe pain appears already at the stage of the appearance of various complications. If you have the slightest suspicion of this disease, immediately go for examination to a specialist.
Overvoltage and hypothermia
If the back is heavily loaded, then painful sensations may also appear in the scapular region. By 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 doing sedentary work, etc. complain of back pain. If hypothermia (drafts, a working air conditioner) is added to the overvoltage, then a back pain can be taught - shoulder bladesSevere pain centered under or in the spine.
This discomfort is treated with warming ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs and massage.
myositis
Influenza, SARS, severe hypothermia can lead to myositis - inflammation of the muscle tissue. Most often, this disease affects the muscles located in the scapular region. This condition does not threaten the body with anything terrible, but painThe pain creates discomfort.
shoulder blade pain
Pain occurs for several reasons:
- Fracture or injury due to a fall. The shoulder joint swells, it is painful to move the limb;
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone tissue): fever due to intoxication of the whole organism, accompanied by fever;
- Pterygoid scapula: This effect is caused by damage to the anterior dentate (located on the side of the chest), rhomboid paralysis, trapezius muscles or their traumatic rupture (which circus acrobats and gymnasts, professional athletes suffer).
If there is inflammation in the synovial bag, the shoulder blade starts to crack. In addition to this discomfort, the patient also worries about heaviness and clicking in the shoulder joint.
diagnosis
Since pain in the scapular region of the back indicates one of several diseases, the examination is carried out in different ways:
- chest X-ray;
- laboratory research;
- ultrasound;
- magnetic resistance or computed tomography;
- ECG.
All examinations are prescribed by the surgeon - if your back hurts, then first of all go to him. But in the future, based on the results of research, he will need advice:
- Orthopedic specialist;
- gastroenterologist;
- neurologist;
- Pulmonologist.
If for any reason the doctor does not pay attention to the accompanying symptoms, consult at your own initiative.
Treatment
Self-medication for pain in the scapular region is categorically contraindicated. The maximum that the patient can afford is to take painkillers and analgesics. Reception should be single and only if it is necessary to stop the pain syndrome before going to the doctorHo.
Treatment is prescribed by a doctor: usually, to alleviate the condition, it is enough to take analgesics, chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the doctor designs to eliminate the root causes of pain in the scapular regionDepicts the treatment regimen carried out.