Pain is one of the main symptoms our body uses to signal that a pathological process has occurred. It is absolutely non-specific and can accompany a large number of diseases. Very often patients complain that their back hurts between the shoulder blades, and sometimes it is quite difficult to diagnose the pathology that caused it. Because the causes can be varied and without special examination methods a correct diagnosis is hardly possible.
Back pain between the shoulder blades can be of different nature.
Provoking factors and nature of pain
Pain syndrome in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades can be very diverse, and the ability to accurately determine its type is of great diagnostic value. Consider the possible features of this symptom:
- By duration - acute or chronic.
- By intensity - painful, strong or weak.
- By nature - squeeze, spasm, sting or cut.
- Also, additional sensations may appear: bloating, tingling, numbness, heaviness in the back, tingling.
It is known that there are certain predisposing factors that can cause shoulder blade pain. Let's take a closer look at them.
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle.
- Blows to the spine and various injuries.
- Jumping from great heights, lifting weights sharply, running fast, d. H. physical exercise performed by an untrained person.
- Very low general physical fitness.
- The presence of chronic diseases of the stomach and heart in history.
- sedentary work
- Pathology of the chest organs.
All these factors do not always cause back pain between the left and right shoulder blade. Only when certain circumstances coincide does a pathology arise and, as one of the symptoms of its manifestation, a pain syndrome.
What diseases can cause pain
The question "why does the back hurt in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades? "Interests many people. Consider the pathologies of which this symptom can be a manifestation.
Diseases of the spine in the chest area:
- kyphosis. This is a disease that causes the spine to curve backwards. At the initial stage, a person simply has a bend, and at the final stage, a vertebral hump. As a rule, this pathology appears in childhood due to improper posture when sitting at a desk and writing. The disease manifests itself with constant pain in the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades and a characteristic visible curvature of the spine.
- Scoliosis is another disease associated with the deformation of the spine. The spine bends to the right or left. The reason is the body's constant misalignment. The pain syndrome in this disease occurs due to overstrain of the muscles that bend the spine and compression of the nerves. Pain is periodic pain in nature, there may be numbness.
- spondyloarthritis. This disease belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the spine. It is manifested by the destruction of the intervertebral joints, which leads to the formation of bone outgrowths. The pain syndrome is constant, sometimes spasmodic and acute, localized on the back between the right and left shoulder blades.
- kyphoscoliosis. This pathology is a combination of kyphosis and scoliosis in one patient. That is, the spine curves backwards and to the left or right. Pain can be localized in the shoulder blade area.
- Disc prolapse. This is one of the most complex diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is manifested by the contents of the hard drive exceeding its limits. As a result, there is compression of the spinal cord and its roots in the chest area, causing pain in the back between the shoulder blades.
- osteochondrosis. Pain sensations arise from compression of the roots of the spinal cord and are inherently painful. Pain can increase with sudden movements and lifting weights. This pathology is the most common cause of pain in the thoracic spine near the shoulder blades.
- Mechanical injury of the spine. In the case of blows, falls from a great height, car accidents, various degrees of damage to the spine can occur. All this is accompanied by a whole list of symptoms, among which there will undoubtedly be pain in the spine in the area between the right and left shoulder blades.
A disease, the feature of which is the development of dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. As a result, they lose their elasticity and ability to regenerate.
Spinal nerve disorders:
- Cervical or thoracic sciatica. Radiculitis is inflammation of the spinal nerves as a result of damage, compression, irritation, or injury. Most often, this disease is the result of certain diseases of the spine: curvature, progression of osteochondrosis, displacement of the vertebrae, etc. When the spinal root is damaged, inflammation and swelling develop, and as a result, pain appears in this area between the shoulder blades and along the damaged nerve. The patient may also complain of numbness or burning 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 can be localized both between the right and left shoulder blades, and along the intercostal nerve and have a belt character.
Mediastinal and breast disorders:
- cardiac ischemia. For various reasons (atherosclerosis, spasm of the coronary arteries, thrombosis, etc. ), the normal flow of blood through the coronary arteries is disrupted, causing the heart to experience oxygen starvation, which causes burning and pain behind the sternum during exercise. Also, pain can be localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe thoracic spine, give the left arm and shoulder blade.
- Pleurisy. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura (the membrane that surrounds the lungs). If the damaged area of the lungs on the right is closer to the spine, then the pain in the back can be localized near the shoulder blades. Also, body temperature rises and weakness appears.
- Heart attack. This is necrosis of a section of the heart muscle as a result of an acute circulatory disorder. The pain is very intense and acute. Located in the region of the heart. It can also be located in the thoracic spine and under the left shoulder blade, radiating to the left collarbone and arm.
- Subdiaphragmatic abscess. Pain is usually localized between the shoulder blades, below or more to the right (if the abscess arose on the right side of the diaphragm). Has a sharp character. This increases the body temperature.
Diseases of other organs:
- pyelonephritis. This is purulent inflammation of the kidneys. The pain syndrome is localized in the lumbar region under the shoulder blade and can radiate to the thoracic spine. Against this background, the body temperature rises, there is often a painful urge to urinate, chills.
- poliomyelitis 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 under the scapula or in its area and along the spine.
Conclusion
As you can see, the list of diseases is not small, which is why very often doctors cannot immediately diagnose the cause of pain between the shoulder blades. If you have this symptom, you do not need to postpone visiting a medical institution, since the cause can be very serious and require urgent treatment.