Pain is one of the main symptoms that our body uses to indicate that a pathological process has occurred. It is completely non-specific and can accompany many diseases. Very often, patients complain that their back hurts between the shoulder blades, and sometimes it is quite difficult to diagnose the pathology that causes it. Because there can be many reasons for this, 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.
Causes 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 features of this symptom:
- By duration - acute or chronic.
- According to intensity - painful, strong or weak.
- By nature - squeezing, cramping, stabbing or cutting.
- Additional sensations may also occur: feeling of fullness, crawling, numbness, heaviness in 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 weight lifting, 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 the 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. Pathology appears only when certain circumstances coincide, and one of the symptoms of its manifestation is pain syndrome.
What diseases can cause pain
The question: "Why does the back hurt in the area of the shoulder blades? " is of interest to many people. Consider the pathologies that may be a manifestation of this symptom.
Diseases of the spine in the chest region:
- Kyphosis. This is a disease that causes the spine to curve backwards. In the initial stage, the person simply bends, and in the final stage, the person has a vertebral hump. This pathology usually appears in childhood due to the incorrect posture when sitting at the table and writing. The disease is manifested by constant pain in the area of the shoulder blades and the characteristic visible curvature of the spine.
- Scoliosis is another disease associated with the deformation of the spine. This causes the spine to bend to the right or left. This is due to the constant incorrect position of the body. In this disease, the pain syndrome occurs due to overstretching of the muscles that bend the spine and compression of the nerves. The pain is intermittently painful, and 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, as a result of which bone growths are formed. 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. The pain can be localized in the area of the shoulder blades.
- Disc herniation. It is one of the most complex diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This manifests itself in the fact that the content of the disc extends beyond its limits. As a result, the spinal cord and its roots in the chest region are compressed, causing back pain between the shoulder blades.
- Osteochondrosis. The sensation of pain is caused by compression of the roots of the spinal cord and is painful in nature. The pain may intensify with sudden movements and weight lifting. This pathology is the most common cause of pain in the thoracic spine near the shoulder blades.
- Mechanical damage to the spine. Damage to the spinal column of varying severity can occur in the event of a blow, fall from a height, or car accident. 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 characterized by the development of dystrophic processes in the intervertebral discs. As a result, they lose their flexibility and ability to regenerate.
Diseases of spinal nerves:
- Cervical or thoracic sciatica. Radiculitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord caused by damage, compression, irritation or injury. Most often, this disease is the result of certain disorders of the spine: curvature, progression of osteochondrosis, displacement of vertebrae, etc. When the spinal root is damaged, inflammation and swelling develop, resulting in pain in the area. between the shoulder blades and along the injured nerve. The patient 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 can be localized both between the right and left shoulder blades and along the intercostal nerve, bearing the character of a belt.
Diseases of the mediastinum and chest:
- Cardiac ischemia. Due to many reasons (arteriosclerosis, spasm of coronary arteries, thrombosis, etc. ), normal blood flow through the coronary arteries is interrupted, as a result of which the heart experiences a lack of oxygen, which leads to a burning sensation. pain behind sternum during exercise. Also, pain can be localized in the region of the thoracic spine, left arm and shoulder blade.
- Pleurisy. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura (the membrane that surrounds the lungs). If the damaged area of the lung is closer to the spine on the right side, then the pain can be localized in the back, near the shoulder blades. Body temperature also rises and weakness occurs.
- Myocardial infarction. This is the necrosis of a part of the heart muscle as a result of an acute circulatory disorder. The pain is very intense and acute. It is located in the region of the heart. It can also be localized in the thoracic spine and under the left scapula and may radiate to the left clavicle and arm.
- Subdiaphragmatic abscess. The pain is usually localized between, under, or to the right of the shoulder blades (if the abscess is on the right side of the diaphragm). He has a sharp character. This raises the body temperature.
Diseases of other organs:
- Pyelonephritis. This is purulent inflammation of the kidney. The pain syndrome is localized in the lumbar region, below the shoulder blade, and may radiate to the thoracic spine. In the background of this, the body temperature rises, frequent painful urge to urinate, chills.
- Poliomyelitis or tuberculosis. These infectious diseases can affect the human skeletal system, including the spine. If the chest region is involved in the pathological process, then the pain is localized under the shoulder blade or in its area and along the spine.
Conclusion
As you can see, the list of diseases is not small, so doctors very often cannot immediately diagnose the cause of pain between the shoulder blades. If you notice this symptom, you should not delay going to a medical facility, as the cause may be very serious and require urgent treatment.