Pain is one of the main symptoms by which our body signals that a pathological process has arisen. 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 there can be a huge number of reasons, and without special research methods it is almost impossible to make a correct diagnosis.
Back pain between the shoulder blades can be of the most diverse nature.
Provoking factors and nature of pain
The pain syndrome in the region of the shoulder blades can be quite diverse, and the ability to accurately determine its nature is of great diagnostic value. Consider the possible characteristics of this symptom:
- By duration - acute or chronic.
- By intensity - aching, strong or weak.
- By nature - pressing, cramping, stabbing or cutting.
- Additional sensations may also occur: a feeling of fullness, crawling, numbness, heaviness on the back, tingling.
It is known that there are certain predisposing factors that can cause pain in the area of the shoulder blades. Let's consider them in more detail.
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- Blows to the spine and various injuries.
- Jumping from a height, sharp lifting of weight, fast running, i. e. physical exercise performed by an untrained person.
- Very low level of 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 pain in the back between the left and right shoulder blades. Only when certain circumstances coincide, pathology arises and, as one of the symptoms of its manifestation, pain syndrome.
What diseases can cause pain
The question "why does the back hurt in the area of the shoulder blades? "interested in many people. Consider the pathologies that this symptom may be a manifestation of.
Diseases of the spine in the thoracic region:
- Kyphosis. This is a disease in which the spine curves backwards. In the initial stage, a person simply has a stoop, and in the final stage, a vertebral hump. This pathology, as a rule, appears in childhood due to incorrect body position when sitting at a desk and writing. The disease manifests itself with constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades and a characteristic visible curvature of the spine.
- Scoliosis is another disease associated with the deformation of the spinal column. With it, the spine bends to the right or left. The reason is the constant incorrect position of the body. The pain syndrome in this disease occurs due to overstrain of the muscles that bend the spine, and compression of the nerves. Soreness is periodic aching in nature, there may be a feeling of numbness.
- Spondylarthrosis. This disease belongs to the group of degenerative-dystrophic pathologies affecting the spine. It is manifested by the destruction of the intervertebral joints, resulting in the formation of bone outgrowths. The pain syndrome is constant, sometimes cramping 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 back and to the left or right. Pain can be localized in the area of the shoulder blades.
- Herniated disc. This is one of the most complex diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is manifested by protrusion of the contents of the disk beyond its limits. As a result of this, compression of the spinal cord and its roots in the thoracic region occurs, which causes pain in the back between the shoulder blades.
- Osteochondrosis. Pain sensations arise due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord and are aching in nature. With sudden movements, lifting weights, the pain may increase. This pathology is the most common cause of pain in the thoracic spine near the shoulder blades.
- Mechanical injury of the spine. When hitting, falling from a height, car accidents, various degrees of severity of damage to the spinal column can occur. All this will be accompanied by a whole list of symptoms, among which, undoubtedly, 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. Radiculitis is an inflammation of the spinal nerves as a result of damage, compression, irritation or infringement. Most often, this disease is the result of certain disorders in the spine: curvature, progression of osteochondrosis, displacement of the vertebrae, etc. If the spinal root is damaged, inflammation and swelling develop and, as a result, pain occurs in the area between the shoulder blades and along the damaged nerve. The patient may also complain of a feeling 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 scapula, and along the intercostal nerve, wearing a girdle character.
Diseases of the mediastinum and chest:
- Cardiac ischemia. As a result of a number of reasons (atherosclerosis, spasm of the coronary vessels, thrombosis, etc. ), normal blood flow through the coronary vessels is disrupted, as a result of which the heart experiences a lack of oxygen, which leads to burning pain behind the sternum during exercise. Also, pain can be localized in the region of the thoracic spine, give to the left arm and shoulder blade.
- Pleurisy. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura (the membrane surrounding the lung). If the damaged area of the lung is closer to the spine on the right, then the pain can be localized in the back near the shoulder blades. The body temperature also rises and weakness occurs.
- Myocardial infarction. 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 localized in the thoracic spine and under the left shoulder blade and radiate to the left collarbone and arm.
- Subdiaphragmatic abscess. Pain, as a rule, is localized between the shoulder blades, below them, or more on the right (if the abscess has arisen on the right side of the diaphragm). Has a sharp character. This raises the body temperature.
Diseases of other organs:
- Pyelonephritis. This is a 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 are frequent 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, then you do not need to postpone going to a medical facility, as the cause can be very serious and require urgent treatment.