Back pain comes in many forms and varieties. Localization and nature of pain, duration, presence or absence of radiation 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.
Main causes of pain in shoulder blades and back
Why does the shoulder blade area of my back hurt?Such symptoms can be observed in diseases of the spine, neurological disorders, pathology of muscles and other organs. These include referred pain in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as pain in radicular syndrome, trauma and osteochondrosis. Let's take a closer look at the common causes of back and shoulder blade pain.
Sports injuries
Injuries to the scapula occur in two ways - direct impact (impact, fall) and indirectly, with load along the axis of the upper limb (fall on the elbow, sharp contraction of the muscles of the shoulder girdle). In the first case, aSpinal cord injuries and rib fractures are possible. Such injuries occur in 50% of serious road accidents. Severe injuries can be accompanied by severe pain, limited mobility and severe swelling of the tissues around the shoulder blade.
osteochondrosis
Osteochondrosis is a common causeback painAndspinal cordin any localization, and alsoshoulder blade area, Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the intervertebral joints and discs, as a result of malnutrition and cartilage regeneration, lead to the formation of protrusions and hernias, spasms in the back muscles and a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. The spinal nerves can be compressed; The pain may be due to radicular syndrome.
Pain occurs when twisting or turning the body, lifting weights. Due to the concomitant inflammation of the back muscles, pain may increase when raising and abducting the arms. Stiffness of the spine, bending, tilting the patient slightly forwardpossible. The pain can be aching, sharp, circling across the chest. Some patients describe it by saying that they feel as if something is stuck 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, the normal distribution of load and biomechanics are disrupted. Predisposing factors to scoliosis are incorrect posture, weak back muscles, childhood and improper organization of the workplace. Back pain due to scoliosis is usually caused by spasm, inflammation and tension in the muscles that are unable to support and stabilize the weakened spine.
Scoliosis causes aching pain that subsides when lying down and increases when standing for long periods of time.
kyphosis
Kyphosis is a pathological curvature of the spine in the sagittal plane, most often in the thoracic region. As a result of kyphosis, the spinal column begins to resemble a question mark "? ", and a hump may begin to form. Predisposing factors are vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, and poor posture. Kyphosis can be caused by spinal injury or tuberculosis. Ankylosing spondylitis causes excessive kyphosis of the thoracic region.
Pain in kyphosis, like scoliosis, is caused by tension and muscle spasm, as they are subjected to excessive stress. It is also feltpain in back musclesand in the areashoulder blades
Spondyloarthrosis, spondyloarthritis
Spondyloarthrosis is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral joints, caused by malnutrition of the articular cartilage, leading to gradual destruction of the spinal joints. Spondyloarthritis is inflammation of the intervertebral joints caused by an autoimmune or reactive process (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis). Both processes result in ankylosis or fusion of the intervertebral joints, leading to impaired mobility of the spine. The difference is that in the first case, the inflammation is secondary in nature and occurs in response to the destruction of the joints. And in the second case, primary inflammation leads to degenerative-dystrophic changes.
The pain in spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosis is aching in nature and intensifies at night. A typical symptom is stiffness and stiffness in the spine in the morning, which goes away after gymnastics or physical activity. The course of the disease is long-term, It is fluctuating, with periodic exacerbations and improvements. The pain can be localized not only between the shoulder blades, but also throughout the spine.
bulge and hernia
Bulging and herniation of the intervertebral disc is the result of advanced osteochondrosis of the spine. The intervertebral disc, which has lost its elasticity and elasticity, or rather its peripheral part, called the fibrous ring, stretches under the influence of load and forms a protrusionIf the annulus fibrosus ruptures, the internal contents of the disc fall out, forming a herniated disc. Both a bulge and a herniated intervertebral disc cause entrapment of the spinal nerve roots emerging through the intervertebral foramina. Can form. Sharp pain, protective tension and muscle spasms occur. Pain can spread to the shoulder, elbow, forearm, and is often localized in the area of the shoulder blade (with hernia or bulge in the thoracic spine).
radiculitis
Acute pain starting in the interscapular region and continuing along the intercostal spaces is the most common sign of radiculitis. It is caused by compression of the spinal nerves by a herniated or bulging intervertebral disc. Less commonly, sciaticaMay be caused by tumors, spondylosis or vertebral displacement. A typical symptom of the disease is pain in the thoracic spine arising from movement and lifting heavy objects.
humeroscapular periarthrosis
Humeroscapular periarthrosis is a disease characterized by pain in the shoulder and scapula, caused by arthrosis of the shoulder joint and inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues. Predisposing factors include injuries and microtraumas of the shoulder joint, intense physical activity in athletes and workers. Activity and osteochondrosis of the cervical spine are involved. Humeral periarthrosis is the most common cause of acute pain in the shoulder blade and shoulder joint.
The pain occurs gradually, intensifying from episodic pain during physical activity, with a large range of motion in the shoulder joint (swinging the arm, throwing, when the arm is placed behind the back). Then the painBecomes immobile, pain occurs even at rest. Due to this, the patient is unable to sleep on the affected side.pain inshoulder andretracts the shoulder blade, Shooting pain is possible when moving. Due to the acute lack of mobility in the shoulder joint, the patient is unable to lift or bend his arm.
neuralgia
Pain in the area of the shoulder blades, radiating along the intercostal nerves, is a sign of neuralgia, which is a chronic neurological disease. Exacerbation of pain when coughing, sneezing or moving is a characteristic symptom - the pain becomes sharp, sharp. The cause of the disease is irritation of the spinal nerve roots due to diseases of the spine, spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosis, inflammation in the muscles. Exacerbation can be caused by drafts, hypothermia and physical activity.
heart diseases
Cardiovascular pathology is often accompanied by severe pain in the area of the left shoulder blade. The cause of the pain syndrome can be angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Intense severe pain under the left shoulder blade that lasts for a long time. does not go away, is a sign of myocardial ischemia or infarction. The nature of the pain varies - ranging from aching, to constant, intense, with sharp pain in the left shoulder and arm, in the neck on the left. A characteristic symptom itThat pain is relieved by nitrates (medicines for the treatment of heart failure) - nitroglycerin, isocet, nitrosorbide.
gastrointestinal problems
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are a common cause of back pain in the shoulder blade area. The pain is reflective in nature, and is caused by the fact that part of the pain impulse from the solar plexus and receptors in the gastrointestinal tract returns back to the spinal cord. Returns. Pain in the area of the shoulder blade can occur with hiatal hernia, chronic or acute pancreatitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. For cholecystitis and gallstonesPainare localizedin the back between the shoulder blades, Moreon right,
lung disease
Pain in the shoulder blades can accompany many diseases of the lungs and bronchi. Most often these are pneumonia, acute bronchitis, asthma and other pathologies. Often patients with lung cancerBack pain in the area of the shoulder blades.
Areas of back pain in the area of the shoulder blades
Pain in the area of the shoulder blades when inhaling or exhaling is a typical sign of intercostal neuralgia, bulging or herniation of the intervertebral disc with spinal osteochondrosis, inflammation of the back muscles and radiculitis. The cause of pain is that the act of breathingThe number is ensured by coordinated contraction of muscles, and even this amount of movement can increase pain in the above diseases.
pain in the sternum and shoulder blades
Pain in the sternum and shoulder blade is often found with glenohumeral periarthrosis. Inflammation and degenerative-dystrophic changes in the shoulder joint disrupt the normal distribution of load, which is why the attachment of the clavicle and ribs to the sternum (Titz syndrome)Pathological changes begin at the site of.
Pain in the sternum and shoulder blades also occurs with diseases of the lungs and heart.
pain in the right or left shoulder blade
As mentioned above, pain in the shoulder blade on the left may be reflected in heart disease. Pain in the right shoulder blade is characteristic of acute or chronic cholecystitis, gallstones.
pain in shoulder blades and neck
backache,in the shoulder blades and neck areaPossible with osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine. This symptom is also characteristic of hernia or bulge. Referred pain in the neck and shoulder blades is observed in some diseases of the heart and lungs (angina pectoris, lung cancer, pneumonia).
Types of shoulder blade pain
pain in shoulder blade
Aching pain in the shoulder blade on the left is observed with heart disease, on the right - with diseases of the biliary tract, cholelithiasis. The pain is also accompanied by glenohumeral periarthrosis, neuralgia and radicular radiculitis. With spondyloarthritis and spondyloarthrosisPain in the back and shoulder blade area is also possible.
pressing pain in shoulder blade
Pressing pain in the shoulder blades is characteristic of myositis or inflammatory muscle diseases. The shoulder blades are surrounded by a series of muscles, the inflammation of which not only causes pain, but also limits the mobility of the shoulder girdle. Pain may also occur with severe inflammation of the soft tissues and ligaments of the shoulder joint.
slight pain while breathing
Mild pain in the back and shoulder blades, which increases when inhaled, can be observed with pneumonia, lung cancer, neuromuscular pathology and myositis. This symptom is also a sign of bruises, back injuries and soft tissue hematomas. Mild pain in the back and shoulder blades occurs with some spinal cord diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
severe pain in shoulder blade
Throbbing 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 often direct physical impact or indirect transmitted along the axis of the upper limbs. The impact occurs, for example, when falling on the elbow.
There is pain in the shoulder blade when moving (walking)
Pain in the shoulder blades when walking can occur with hernias and bulges of the thoracic spine. The axial load on the spinal column that occurs when moving and hitting the ground with the heel is transferred to the diseased intervertebral discAnd causes pain.
Burning sensation in the area of the shoulder blades
Burning sensation in the area of the shoulder blade is a possible sign of acute myocardial infarction. Ischemia of the myocardium (circulation failure and lack of oxygen to the heart muscle) is accompanied by intense pain, painful shock, and a drop in blood pressure. However, if theIf the posterolateral wall and septum of the heart are damaged, pain can mimic spinal osteochondrosis, poor-quality food poisoning, acute surgical pathology and many other diseases.
Burning and tingling on the skin in the interscapular region may be a symptom of hernia or bulge of the intervertebral discs of the thoracic and cervical spine. This symptom occurs in multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the spinal cord.
shoulder pain and nausea
Pain in the left shoulder blade with nausea and vomiting may also indicate acute myocardial infarction. Similar symptoms are characteristic of acute cholecystitis, gallstones, obstructive jaundice (obstruction of the lumen of the bile duct with a stone) - pain in the right sideMore local is the nausea caused by intoxication.
How to get relief from shoulder blade pain
For diseases of the spine and many other diseases, pain is relieved by rest and bed rest. An effective way to deal with pain is to prescribe analgesics, mainly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, ointments on the skinAnd dry heat, distractions and anti-inflammatory agents in the form of gels help. Patches containing 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 for consulting a doctor. This is because the prolonged use of analgesics increases the risk of serious and dangerous complications. Therefore, their use as a medical careThe aim is to relieve pain before going to the doctor. After determining the cause, the treatment is adjusted taking into account the diagnosis and individual characteristics of the patient.
How is shoulder blade pain diagnosed?
To diagnose the causes of pain in the shoulder blade, a clinical examination is used by a doctor, which allows to identify mild symptoms and signs of a particular disease. Testing skin sensitivity, reflexes, shoulderThe joints and spine are studied to assess the range of motion, etc. To confirm the diagnosis, instrumental methods such as ECG, ultrasound, CT or MRI are used.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a universal method for diagnosing the causes of back pain associated with pathology of the spine, spinal cord, joints and soft tissues. The procedure is safe, highly accurate, and allows you to obtain detailed images of the area of interest. Gives. This 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.
treatment of shoulder blade pain
Treatment of pain in the back and shoulder blades focuses on the cause of the disease (etiotropic treatment), the mechanism of its occurrence (pathogenic treatment), and the symptoms (symptomatic treatment). The treatment plan depends on the diagnosis and condition of the patient. E. g. Typically, consider a treatment plan for spinal osteochondrosis.
To eliminate degenerative-dystrophic phenomena and improve the nutrition of soft tissues of the spine, chondroprotectors, vitamin therapy, drugs improving blood microcirculation, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy are prescribed. Massage to relieve tension in the back muscles. When the herniated spinal cord is pressed, physical impact is used - underwater traction, manual therapy. Analgesics are prescribed to cope with pain.
shoulder blade pain treatment at home
Treatment at home is possible only after the patient has consulted a doctor, undergone examination, during which an accurate diagnosis is established. In most cases, the causes of pain in the shoulder blade and back require immediate hospitalization. is not required; According to the doctor's prescription, the treatment is carried out at home. However, often the opposite happens - patients try to treat at home, self-diagnose and use painkillers uncontrollably. Self-diagnosisAnd the result of self-medication is chronic pain and side effects of analgesics. When the disease causes complications, patients often come to the doctor late. In case of serious diseases, late treatment significantly worsens the prognosis. And the chances of complete cure are reduced. That is why any back pain requires careful diagnosis and consultation with a doctor.
Which doctor should I consult for shoulder blade pain?
clarifyingCauses and treatment of pain in shoulder blade and backIt is handled by a neurologist, since in most cases the pain syndrome is of neurogenic origin. These are almost all diseases of the spine, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Spinal cord injuries are treated by a traumatologist, But even in this case, if there are neurological symptoms, consultation with a neurologist is required. In extreme cases, if you have back pain, you should at least contact a doctor so that he can establish a preliminary diagnosis andCould send the patient for consultation to another specialist. The worst thing is if the patient does not go to the doctor and self-medicates - the consequences of such "treatment" can be complications, severity of the disease and in some cases human health. And pose a threat to life.