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What does back pain say in the area of ​​the shoulder blades?

Back pain in the area of ​​the shoulder blades.

Back pain in the area of the shoulder blades is a characteristic symptom not only of diseases of the spine, but also of pathologies of internal organs. Why is it necessary to consult a doctor and with which specialist to make an appointment? Effective methods to get rid of the discomfort.

If you are concerned about back pain in the area of the shoulder blades, such a symptom may indicate diseases of the spine or shoulder girdle, nerve pathology, somatic diseases. Careful collection of anamnesis and complaints from patients allows you to identify the cause of the problem and decide on further treatment.

Back pain in the area of the shoulder blades is often the first sign of pathological changes in the body. And the definition of the provoking factor allows you to prevent exacerbation of the disease at an early stage. The symptom can occur in the middle of the body or extend to the arm, appear when inhaling; all of this is important when making a diagnosis.

The causes of pain and its location.

As a general rule, discomfort appears in the area of the shoulder blades when moving. For example, a prolonged static position of the body, an awkward turn. In this case, pain under the scapula indicates damage.

Important!Unilateral location of pain (to the left under the scapula or to the right) is rare. This is due to the symmetrical arrangement of the nerve roots in the spinal cord.

Traumatic injury

Painful sensations can indicate muscle or bone damage. In this case, the symptom is diffuse and of variable intensity. The pain arises abruptly and persists.
Injuries that can cause pain in the shoulder blades:

  1. Fractures, cracks. A serious injury in which pain is focused directly on the scapula. The symptom is aggravated with minimal movement, so the patient cannot move.
  2. BruisesThe discomfort is superficial, is caused by damage to the muscle structure and is located in the lower part of the shoulder blades. On examination, it is possible to detect signs of inflammation, swelling of the tissues. Symptoms persist for 14 to 21 days.
  3. Subluxation or displacement of the vertebrae. Joint pain occurs below the shoulder blades or at their level. The discomfort can be aggravated by compression of the nerve roots.

With injuries in the area of damage, soft tissue edema is observed, pain appears abruptly. A creaking noise often appears when moving.

Spinal bulge and hernia

With this pathology, the spinal cord and nerve roots are compressed, which is accompanied by impaired sensation and acute pain under the right and left scapula.

Possible placement of annoyances:

  1. Back pain under the scapula on the left or right. It indicates a lesion of 6-12 discs with possible involvement of the lumbar spine in the pathological process. Since the latter is subject to increased stress, there is a high risk of developing spinal hernias.
  2. Above the shoulder blades. The bulge is located in the cervical spine or in segment 1-3. The discomfort becomes more pronounced with head movement.
  3. Between the shoulder blades. Pain is observed when 3-6 segments of the spine are affected. It becomes more pronounced with a deep breath, turning the body, abducting the upper extremities to the sides.

Note!With lump, pain persists even at rest. This is due to compression of the nerve roots and muscle spasm.

Osteochondrosis

If your back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades, the symptom may indicate osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. The symptom occurs due to entrapment of the spinal cord or nerve roots and deformation of the intervertebral disc. The disease progresses gradually, causing increasingly vivid symptoms.

The area of discomfort is determined by the location of the injury:

  1. 2-6 segments. The discomfort is localized at the level of the shoulder blades, radiation to the arm and neck is possible. Increased intracranial pressure, dizziness due to compression of blood vessels is possible.
  2. 6-12 segments. There is pain under the scapula on the left or right back and extends to the lower back.

Note!With osteochondrosis, the pain is one-sided.

Spondyloarthrosis

This pathology is also characterized by the unilateral placement of the pain syndrome. With spondyloarthrosis, there is a violation of mobility, a feeling of stiffness due to damage to the intervertebral discs and facet joints.

Symptoms depend on the neglect of pathological changes:

  1. Destruction of cartilaginous tissue. It develops against the background of reduced blood circulation and a violation of the integrity of connective tissue. The cartilaginous element becomes brittle, quickly damaged and slowly renewed. The situation is aggravated by microtrauma due to intense physical exertion. In this case, the pain radiates to the shoulder blades and lower back.
  2. Deformation of the intervertebral disc. The thickening of the tissue is accompanied by reduced mobility, as well as pain in the shoulder blades and back. In this context, destructive processes are intensifying.
  3. The formation of bone growths. They appear in the advanced form of spondyloarthrosis. They lead to damage to blood vessels, muscle tissues, nerves, and joints.

With spondyloarthrosis, pain occurs after physical exertion and can be localized in the area of the shoulder blades or between them. At rest, the symptom disappears.

Scoliosis

It is accompanied by a curvature of the spine in a transverse direction due to the tension of the muscles that support the posture. In this case, the spinal cord and nerves are compressed, discomfort is observed under the scapula.

Scoliosis of the spine

Other symptoms of scoliosis:

  1. Breast deformation. There is a displacement of the ribs and vertebrae, which damages the spinal cord and its branches. Because of this, back pain is observed on the left under the scapula or on the right.
  2. Respiratory disorder. Due to the deformation of the chest, dysfunction of the lungs is observed: one of them is compressed, the second is trying to compensate for the deficit of gas exchange.
  3. Violation of cardiac activity. Due to the skewed spine, there is shortness of breath, the skin becomes pale, and the heart rate changes.

Note!Scoliosis is characterized by compression of the spinal cord, so the discomfort is located between or below the shoulder blades. The pathological focus has clear contours and can spread to nearby areas only with muscle spasms.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis is a backward curvature of the spine, in which the shoulder girdle is pulled forward and a tilt appears. In this case, the pain is localized above the shoulder blades, is bilateral in nature, radiates to the neck and arm.

Spinal kyphosis

Mechanisms of pain formation in kyphosis:

  1. Muscular. The curvature of the spine leads to overexertion of the muscles in the neck area and their spasm, which is accompanied by pain in the shoulder blades.
  2. Neurogenic. Against the background of the curvature of the spine, the distance between the vertebrae decreases. This leads to the infringement of the branches of the spinal cord and the appearance of pain in the area of the shoulder blades, which can spread to the neck, clavicle and shoulder.

With kyphosis, the vertebral artery is compressed, which leads to impaired cerebral circulation, dysfunction of internal organs.

Radiculitis

The pathology is characterized by pinching the lumbar roots that form the sciatic nerve. With the defeat of the upper section, the pain is localized under the scapula and below. The discomfort is bilateral, it becomes more pronounced with sudden movements.

If left untreated, sciatica is accompanied by other symptoms:

  • burning pain in the back (under the shoulder blades and in the lower back) - indicates a pinch of the spinal roots;
  • lumbago with radiation to the leg;
  • seizures
  • violation of sensitivity in the buttocks, lower back;
  • numbness along the nerve (can be seen in the lower leg, thigh, foot).

Neuralgia

Inflammation of the nerve fibers in this anatomical region can cause pain under the shoulder blades. A common cause of pathology is hypothermia.

Neuralgia causes pain in the area of ​​the shoulder blades.

Inflammation can affect structures such as:

  • Intercostal nerves. 1-4 pairs located along the lower border of the ribs are affected. The pain is localized below the shoulder blades and below, in the lateral parts of the chest, less frequently it extends to its anterior sections.
  • Supraspinatus and suprascapular nerves. Characterized by the appearance of pain in the area of the shoulder blades from the back in the area of the clavicle. Sometimes the symptom spreads to the shoulders.
  • The infraspinatus and subscapular nerves. Discomfort is felt under the scapula on the left or right. When the inflammation spreads to the muscles, the pain increases when moving the hands.

Note!With neuralgia, the pain is often unilateral in nature: the symptom is localized in the part that has undergone hypothermia.

Shoulder-scapular periarthrosis

It is characterized by inflammation of the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues. It is accompanied by reduced mobility, which can be eliminated only after warming up the muscles.

With humeroscapular periarthrosis, discomfort is observed at the level of the shoulder blades and below. In the initial stage, it occurs after intense physical activity, as the disease progresses, at rest. Other symptoms of pathology:

  • numbness of the upper extremities;
  • headache;
  • Decreased mobility of the spine.

Cardiac pathology

Pain under the shoulder blades can indicate heart disease. This is due to the fact that the branches of the parasympathetic trunk connected with the spinal cord and nerve roots go to the organ. If there is pain under the left scapula from behind from the back, the symptom may indicate a mild form of myocardial infarction. It can persist for several days, increasing with movement, and decreasing with rest.

Pain under the scapula and crushing pain behind the breastbone with heart disease

Other signs of pathology:

  • burning, oppressive pain behind the breastbone;
  • heart rhythm disturbance;
  • Heart palpitations;
  • dyspnoea
  • dizziness;
  • nausea vomiting;
  • Increased blood pressure.

Digestive system diseases

The mechanism of appearance of pain is similar to the previous reason: it spreads along the nerve fibers. The location of the symptom depends on the affected organ, less frequently the discomfort is bilateral.

Diseases of the digestive system the cause of pain under the shoulder blades.

If the back hurts on the left under the scapula, the development is possible:

  • inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
  • pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
  • stomach ulcer.

Also, with such pathologies, there are nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching, heaviness in the abdomen. If the ulcer is complicated by internal bleeding, there is pallor of the skin, decreased blood pressure, weakness, darkening of the stool.

A feeling of discomfort under the right shoulder blade may indicate such ailments:

  • duodenal ulcer;
  • hepatitis;
  • liver cirrhosis;
  • cholelithiasis.

Other causes of the symptom

The following factors can also cause pain in the area of the shoulder blades:

  1. Uncomfortable sleeping place. In particular, a collapsed mattress and sleeping on the left side can cause pain on the opposite side, as the spine bends and the roots are pinched.
  2. Vegetovascular dystonia. It is accompanied by drops in blood pressure, shortness of breath, impaired heart activity, and sometimes back pain in the area of the shoulder blades.
  3. Polio. Infectious disease in which pain in the shoulder blades is neurogenic.
  4. Pleuritis. With inflammation of the pleura, the symptom occurs due to the friction of its laminae against each other. The pain peak occurs with a deep breath.
  5. Renal pathology. Characterized by stabbing pain under the right shoulder blade. Also, there is a change in urine color, urine output.
  6. Poisoning. Discomfort occurs when excess toxins or decomposition products accumulate in the body in the context of a cold or due to severe poisoning. It is accompanied by chills, muscle aches, fever.
  7. Subphrenic abscess. Pain under the shoulder blades is observed when inhaling, arises from the accumulation of pus in the upper abdominal cavity.
  8. Mental disorders. Sometimes mental disorders are accompanied by back discomfort, but the mechanism of their development has not yet been studied.

Types of pain

The nature of the pain in the area of the shoulder blades may differ. Depending on this criterion, it is possible to assume a possible illness and determine the cause of the discomfort:

  1. Shots, sudden, that arise when turning the body or moving. Typical of pinched nerves. This feature allows it to be distinguished from pain in gallstone disease; With this diagnosis, the discomfort is constant and does not depend on movements.
  2. Cutting and dull pain of varying intensity. May indicate neuralgia, joint inflammation.
  3. Palpitations, pain, or burning. Such pain in the area of the shoulder blades indicates diseases of the internal organs. The symptom develops as a result of compression of the nerve roots, with movement it can become more pronounced.
  4. Choking pain at or below shoulder blades. Typical of a spinal hernia. Often accompanied by numbness of arms or legs, lumbago.

Which doctor should I see?

If painful sensations appear in the area of the shoulder blades, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, establish a diagnosis, and determine treatment tactics. In case of detection of pathologies of internal organs, he will refer to a narrow-profile specialist: gastroenterologist, cardiologist, orthopedist (depending on the supposed diagnosis).

Survey

To establish the cause of the onset of pain in the area of the shoulder blades, patients are assigned the following diagnostic procedures:

  1. Clinical studies of blood, urine. They show inflammatory changes, help in the diagnosis of somatic diseases.
  2. X-ray examination, CT. They allow you to detect curvature of the spine, injuries and their consequences, osteochondrosis.
  3. Ultrasound. It is used to identify pathologies of internal organs.
  4. ECG. Informative in case of suspected heart disease.
  5. Magnetic resonance. It reflects the state of the spine, shoulder girdle, and internal organs. The research area is determined by the doctor based on the proposed diagnosis.

Note!Pain under the shoulder blades often indicates neurological abnormalities. Therefore, CT and MRI are the "gold standard" for determining the cause of a symptom.

Treatment characteristics

The goal of treatment is not only to eliminate pain, but also to eliminate the factor that leads to its appearance. When seeking medical help, the pain syndrome is alleviated in parallel, as well as the appointment of an etiological treatment aimed at eliminating the underlying disease.
The therapeutic program may include the following methods:

  1. Medical treatment. To relieve pain, various analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Depending on the cause of the symptom, antibacterial, diuretic, gastroprotective agents, etc. can be used.
  2. Physiotherapy. Helps accelerate recovery from somatic pathologies, to strengthen the spine. To eliminate pain in the area of the shoulder blades, electrophoresis, UHT and heating procedures are used.
  3. Massage. Helps eliminate muscle spasms, improve posture, relieve painful sensations. It is prescribed for spinal problems. Sometimes the intervention of an osteopath or chiropractor is required.
  4. Gymnastics. Shown during the recovery period. A set of exercises is selected for each patient individually, depending on the established diagnosis.

How to prevent discomfort in the area of the shoulder blades?

Subsequently, each patient who has undergone a course of treatment is recommended to follow a series of preventive measures. They are necessary to prevent recurrence of the disease.
It is important to follow these rules:

  • create favorable sleeping conditions: choose an orthopedic pillow and a moderately firm mattress to support the physiological position of the spine;
  • watch your posture;
  • follow the principles of proper nutrition;
  • try to prevent the exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
  • quit addictions (smoking, drinking alcohol);
  • Visit your doctor regularly for preventive exams.

Shoulder blade pain can be caused by somatic and neurological causes. In the latter case, the symptom arises abruptly and is pronounced. With a somatic origin, the pain grows gradually and persists for a long time, does not depend on body movements.
Pain relievers can be used to relieve an unpleasant symptom. However, in order to completely eliminate pain sensations, it is important to undergo a complete treatment aimed at getting rid of the underlying pathology. Only a doctor can develop the correct therapeutic course after a thorough examination.