Pain is one of the main symptoms that our body signals that a pathological process has arisen. It is completely nonspecific and can be associated with a large number of diseases. Very often, patients complain that their back hurts between the shoulder blades, and sometimes it is difficult to diagnose the pathology that caused it. Because there can be many reasons, and without special research methods it is almost impossible to make an accurate diagnosis.
Back pain between the shoulder blades can be of the most varied nature.
Triggers and the nature of pain
Pain syndrome in the shoulder blade can be quite diverse, and the ability to accurately determine its nature is of great diagnostic value. Consider the possible features of this symptom:
- Over time - acute or chronic.
- By intensity - pain, strong or weak.
- By nature - pressing, cramping, stabbing or cutting.
- Other sensations may also occur: feeling of fullness, crawling, numbness, heaviness in the back, tingling.
It is well known that there are a number of factors that can contribute to shoulder blade pain. Let's look at them in more detail.
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle.
- Blows to the spine and various injuries.
- Jumping from a height, lifting heavy objects, running fast, is an exercise performed by an untrained person.
- The general fitness level is very low.
- The presence of chronic diseases of the stomach and heart in history.
- Sedentary work.
- Pathology of the thoracic organs.
All of these factors do not always cause back pain between the left and right shoulder blades. Only when some cases coincide, pathology arises and, as one of its manifest symptoms, pain syndrome.
What diseases can cause pain?
The question "why does the back hurt in the shoulder area? " is interested by many people. Consider conditions in which this symptom may be a manifestation.
Diseases of the spine in the thoracic region:
- Spine spine. This is a disease that causes the spine to curve backwards. In the early stages, a person simply stoops, and in the final stage, a vertebral hump. This pathology, as a rule, appears in childhood due to improper body posture when sitting at the table and writing. The disease is manifested by persistent pain in the shoulder blades and a characteristically visible curvature of the spine.
- Scoliosis is another disease related to the deformity of the spine. With it, the spine bends to the right or left. The reason is that the continuous position of the body is not correct. The pain syndrome in this disease occurs because the muscles that curvature the spine have to work too hard and compress the nerves. The pain is cyclical in nature, possibly with numbness.
- Spinal fibrosis disease. This disease belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic diseases affecting the spine. It is manifested by the destruction of disc joints, which leads to the formation of foci of bone growth. The pain syndrome is constant, sometimes sharp and sharp, localized posteriorly between the right and left shoulder blades.
- Kyphoscoliosis. This pathology is a combination of scoliosis and scoliosis in one patient. That is, the spine curves backward and to the left or right. Pain may be localized in the area of the shoulder blade.
- Knowledge disc. This is one of the complex diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is manifested by the protrusion of the contents of the disk beyond its limits. The result of this is compression of the spinal cord and its roots in the thoracic region, causing pain in the back between the shoulder blades.
- Bone tumor. The sensation of pain arises due to compression of the spinal roots and is of an aching nature. With sudden movements, lifting weights, the pain can increase. This pathology is the most common cause of pain in the thoracic spine near the shoulder blades.
- Mechanical damage of the spine. When hitting, falling from a height, or car accident, there can be many different levels of severity, causing spinal injuries. All of this will come with a whole list of symptoms, among which, inevitably, there will be pain in the spine in the area between the right and left shoulder blades.
A disease, a feature of which is the development of dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. As a result, they lose their elasticity and ability to regenerate.
Diseases of the spinal nerves:
- Cervical or thoracic sciatica. Spondylitis is inflammation of the spinal nerves due to injury, compression, irritation, or encroachment. Usually, this disease is the result of several disorders in the spine: curvature, progressive osteonecrosis, displacement of the vertebrae, etc. v. If the spinal roots are damaged, inflammation and swelling develop and as a result pain occurs in this area. between the shoulder blades and along the damaged nerve. Patients may also complain of numbness or burning sensation in the same area.
- Intercostal neuralgia. Inflammation of the intercostal nerves. Due to their proximity to the surface of the skin, they are often affected by pathological processes. The pain syndrome may be localized both between the right and left clavicles, and along the intercostal nerve, having an arcuate nature.
Diseases of the mediastinum and chest:
- Ischemia in the heart. Due to a number of reasons (atherosclerosis, coronary spasm, thrombosis, etc. ), the normal blood flow through the coronary vessels is disrupted, as a result of which the heart is deprived of oxygen, resulting in burns. Pain behind the sternum during movement. In addition, the pain may be localized in the thoracic spine, spreading to the left arm and shoulder blade.
- Pulmonary inflammation. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lungs). If the affected lung area is closer to the right spine, the pain may be localized to the back near the shoulder blades. Body temperature also rises and weakness occurs.
- Heart attack. This is a state of partial necrosis of the heart muscle due to an acute circulatory disorder. The pain is very intense and acute. Located in the area of the heart. It may also be localized to the thoracic spine and below the left shoulder blade and extend to the left collarbone and arm.
- Diaphragm abscess. As a rule, pain is localized between the shoulder blades, below or more on the right side (if an abscess has arisen on the right side of the diaphragm). Has a sharp personality. This increases body temperature.
Diseases of other organs:
- Pyelonephritis. This is purulent nephritis. The pain syndrome is localized in the lumbar region, below the shoulder blades, and may radiate to the thoracic spine. Against this background, the body temperature rises, there is a frequent feeling of pain when urinating, chills.
- Myelitis or tuberculosis. These infectious diseases can affect the human skeletal system, including the spine. If the thoracic region is involved in the pathological process, then the pain is localized below the collarbone or its area and along the spine.
Inference
As you can see, the list of diseases is not small, which is why doctors often cannot immediately diagnose the cause of pain between the shoulder blades. If you have this symptom, there is no need to postpone medical attention, as the cause can be very serious and requires urgent treatment.