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What does back pain say in the shoulder area?

Back pain in the shoulder blades

Back pain in the area of the hangers is a symptom not only of spinal diseases but also of pathologies of the internal organs. Why is it necessary to see a doctor and with which specialist should an appointment be made? Effective methods to get rid of the inconvenience.

If you are worried about back pain in the area of the hangers, such a symptom may indicate diseases of the spine or shoulder girdle, nerve pathology, somatic diseases. Careful collection of medical history and patient complaints allows the cause of the problem to be identified and further treatment to be decided.

Often, back pain in the area of the hangers is the first sign of abnormal changes in the body. Determining the provocative factor, in turn, allows you to prevent the disease from getting worse at an early stage. The symptom can occur in one half of the body or spread to the arm, on inhalation - all important when making a diagnosis.

Causes and localization of pain

As a general rule, there is an unpleasant sensation 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 shoulder blade indicates damage.

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

Traumatic injury

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

  1. Fractures, cracks. A severe injury in which the pain is concentrated directly in the shoulder blade. The symptom worsens with minimal movement, so the patient is unable to move.
  2. Bruises. The discomfort is superficial, occurs due to damage to the muscle frame, and is localized in the lower part of the shoulder blades. During the examination, it is possible to detect signs of inflammation and swelling of the tissues. The symptoms last for 14-21 days.
  3. Subluxation or displacement of vertebrae. Joint pain occurs below or at the level of the shoulder blades. The discomfort may be exacerbated by compression of the nerve roots.

With lesions in the area of damage, soft tissue edema is observed, and pain appears suddenly. Cracks often appear when moving.

Spine protrusion and injury

With this pathology, the spinal cord and nerve roots are compressed, accompanied by tenderness and sharp pain under the right and left shoulder blades.

Possible inconvenience placement:

  1. Back pain under the left or right shoulder blade. It indicates a change in 6-12 discs, with possible involvement of the lumbar spine in the pathological process. Because the latter is subject to increased stress, there is a high risk of developing a spinal hernia.
  2. Above the shoulder blades. The protrusion in the cervical spine or 1-3. The discomfort becomes more pronounced with the movement of the head.
  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, robbing the upper limbs to the side.

Note!In the case of a protrusion, the pain persists at rest. This is caused by compression of the nerve roots and muscle cramps.

Osteochondrosis

If the back hurts in the area of the shoulder blades, the symptom may indicate osteochondrosis of the chest spine. The symptom is due to stiffness of the spinal cord or nerve roots and deformity of the intervertebral disc. The disease progresses gradually, causing more and more vivid symptoms.

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

  1. Segments 2-6. The discomfort is localized at the level of the shoulder blades, irradiation of the arm and neck is possible. Increased intracranial pressure and dizziness due to vasoconstriction are possible.
  2. 6-12 segments. There is pain under the hind left or right shoulder blade and it extends down to the lower back.

Note!In osteochondrosis, the pain is unilateral.

Spondyloarthrosis

This pathology is also characterized by unilateral placement of pain syndrome. Spondyloarthrosis impairs 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 cartilage tissue. It develops in the background of decreased blood circulation and violation of connective tissue integrity. The cartilage element becomes brittle - it is quickly damaged and slowly renewed. The situation is exacerbated by microtraumas due to intense physical exertion. In this case, the pain radiates to the shoulder blades and lower back.
  2. Deformation of the intervertebral disc. Thickening of the tissue is associated with limited movement and pain in the shoulder blades and back. Against this background, destructive processes are intensifying.
  3. Development of bone growths. It appears in an advanced form of spondyloarthrosis. They lead to damage to blood vessels, muscle tissue, nerves and joints.

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

Scoliosis

Due to the tension of the muscles that support posture, it is accompanied by the transverse curvature of the spine. In this case, the spinal cord and nerves are compressed, an unpleasant sensation is observed under the shoulder blade.

Scoliosis of the spine

Other symptoms of scoliosis:

  1. Chest deformity. There is displacement of the ribs and vertebrae, leading to damage to the spinal cord and its branches. Because of this, back pain can be observed on the left side under the shoulder blade or on the right side.
  2. Respiratory distress. Due to the deformity of the chest, lung dysfunction can be observed - one of them is compressed, the other is trying to make up for the lack of gas exchange.
  3. Violation of heart function. Due to the oblique spine, there is shortness of breath, the skin turns pale, the heart rate changes.

Note!Scoliosis is characterized by compression of the spinal cord so that discomfort is localized between or below the shoulder blades. The abnormal focus has clear outlines and can only spread to nearby areas with muscle cramps.

Kyphosis

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

Spinal kyphosis

Mechanisms of pain in kyphosis:

  1. Muscular. The curvature of the spine leads to overloading and spasm of the muscles in the collar zone, accompanied by pain above the shoulder blades.
  2. Neurogenic. Against the background of the curvature of the spine, the distance between the vertebrae decreases. This leads to damage to the branches of the spinal cord and pain in the area of the shoulder blades, which can spread to the neck, clavicle, shoulder.

In kyphosis, the vertebral artery is compressed, leading to deterioration of cerebral circulation and dysfunction of internal organs.

Radiculitis

The pathology is characterized by pinching of the lumbar roots formed by the lumbar nerve. By overcoming the upper section, the pain is localized below and below the shoulder blade. The discomfort becomes more pronounced with two-sided, sudden movements.

Without treatment, sciatica has other symptoms:

  • burning pain in the back (below the shoulder blades and in the lower back) - indicates stinging of the roots of the spine;
  • with lumbago irradiation in his legs;
  • convulsions;
  • violation of sensitivity in the buttocks, lower back;
  • numbness along the nerve (observed 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 shoulder blades

Inflammation can affect structures such as:

  • Intervertebral nerves. 1-4 pairs along the lower edge of the ribs are affected. The pain is localized below and below the shoulder blades, in the lateral parts of the chest, less frequently extending to the anterior sections.
  • Supraspinatus and suprascapular nerves. It is characterized by the appearance of pain in the area of the shoulder blades from behind in the area of the clavicle. Sometimes the symptom extends to the shoulders as well.
  • Infraspinatus and subscapular nerves. There is discomfort under the left or right shoulder blade. When the inflammation spreads to the muscles, the pain increases as you move your hands.

Note!In neuralgia, the pain is often one-sided - the symptom is localized in the part that has gone through hypothermia.

Shoulder-shoulder periarthrosis

It is characterized by inflammation of the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues. It is accompanied by limited mobility, which can only be removed after the muscles have warmed up.

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

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

Cardiac pathology

Pain under the shoulder blades may indicate heart disease. This is due to the fact that the branches of the parasympathetic strain connected to the spinal cord and nerve roots reach the organ. If there is back and back pain under the left shoulder blade, the symptom may indicate a mild form of myocardial infarction. It can last for several days, increase with movement, and decrease at rest.

Pain under the shoulder blade and squeezing pain behind the sternum with heart disease

Other signs of pathology:

  • burning, painful pain behind the sternum;
  • arrhythmia;
  • palpitations;
  • shortness of breath;
  • dizziness;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • increased blood pressure.

Gastrointestinal diseases

The mechanism of onset of pain is similar to the previous cause - it has spread along nerve fibers. The localization of the symptom depends on the organ involved, less commonly the discomfort is bilateral.

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

If the back on the left side hurts under the shoulder blade, development is possible:

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

In addition, such pathologies cause nausea, vomiting, heartburn, belching, and abdominal difficulty. If the ulcer is complicated by internal bleeding, pallor of the skin, drop in blood pressure, weakness, darkening of the stool.

Discomfort under the right shoulder blade may indicate such diseases:

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

Other causes of the symptom

The following factors can also cause pain in 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 become pinched.
  2. Vegetovascular dystonia. It is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure, shortness of breath, impaired heart function and sometimes back pain in the shoulder area.
  3. Polio. An infectious disease in which shoulder pain is neurogenic.
  4. Pleurisy. With pleurisy, the symptom occurs due to friction of the sheets against each other. The peak of pain occurs with deep breathing.
  5. Renal pathology. It is characterized by characteristic, stinging pain under the right shoulder blade. In addition, the color of the urine changes, the amount of urine.
  6. Intoxication. Discomfort occurs when excess toxins or decomposition products accumulate in the body as a result of a cold or severe poisoning. It is accompanied by chills, muscle aches, fever.
  7. Subrenial abscess. Upon inhalation, pain under the shoulder blades is observed, with accumulation of pus in the upper abdominal cavity.
  8. Mental disorders. Sometimes mental disorders are accompanied by discomfort in the back, but the mechanism of its development has not been studied.

Types of pain

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

  1. A sharp shot that occurs when the body is rotated or moved. Typical of pinched nerves. This feature allows you to distinguish it from pain in gallstone disease - with this diagnosis, the discomfort is constant and independent of movement.
  2. Cutting, dull pain with varying intensity. May indicate neuralgia, arthritis.
  3. Throbbing, sore or burning. Such pain in the shoulder blades indicates diseases of the internal organs. The symptom develops as a result of the compression of the nerve roots and may become more pronounced with movement.
  4. Choking pain at or below the level of the shoulder blades. Spinal hernia is typical. It is often accompanied by numbness of the 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 performs an examination, makes a diagnosis, and determines treatment tactics. In case of detection of pathologies of internal organs, he refers to a narrow profile specialist - gastroenterologist, cardiologist, orthopedist - (depending on the alleged diagnosis).

Survey

In order to identify the cause of the pain in the area of the shoulder blades, patients receive the following diagnostic procedures:

  1. Clinical examination of blood and urine. They show inflammatory changes, help diagnose somatic diseases.
  2. X-ray examination, CT. They allow the detection of spinal curvature, injuries and their consequences, osteochondrosis.
  3. Ultrasound. It is used to identify pathologies of internal organs.
  4. ECG. Informative in case of suspicion of heart disease.
  5. MRI. It reflects the condition of the spine, shoulder girdle, internal organs. The test area is determined by your doctor depending on the proposed diagnosis.

Note!Under-shoulder pain often refers to neurological disorders. Therefore, CT and MRI are the "gold standard" in determining the cause of symptoms.

Characteristics of treatment

The goal of treatment is not only to remove the pain, but also to eliminate the factor that leads to its appearance. With medical help, the pain syndrome is relieved in parallel, and an etiological treatment is prescribed to eliminate the underlying disease.
The therapeutic program may include the following methods:

  1. Medical treatment. Many painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain. Depending on the cause of the symptom, antibacterial agents, diuretics, gastroprotectors, etc.
  2. Physiotherapy. It helps to accelerate the healing of somatic pathologies, to strengthen the spine. Electrophoresis, UHT, and heating procedures are used to eliminate pain in the shoulder blade area.
  3. Massage. It helps to remove muscle cramps, improve posture, relieve painful feelings. It is prescribed for spine problems. Occasionally, the intervention of an osteopath or chiropractor is required.
  4. Gymnastics. Visible during the recovery period. A series of practices are selected for each patient individually, depending on the diagnosis made.

How to prevent discomfort in the shoulder blades?

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

  • create favorable conditions for sleep - choose an orthopedic pillow and a moderate-strength mattress to support the physiological position of the spine;
  • pay attention to your posture;
  • follow the principles of proper nutrition;
  • tries to prevent the aggravation of chronic pathologies;
  • give up addictions (smoking, alcohol consumption);
  • See your doctor regularly for preventative tests.

Shoulder pain can be caused by somatic and neurological causes. In the latter case, the symptom is sharp and pronounced. Pain of somatic origin gradually increases and persists for a long time, independent of body movements.
Painkillers can be used to relieve unpleasant symptoms. However, in order to completely eliminate the pain sensations, it is important that you receive full treatment aimed at getting rid of the underlying disease. Only one doctor can develop the right course of therapy after a full examination.