Almost everyone felt a burning sensation in the area of the shoulder blades from the back. In most cases, this symptom does not cause any serious harm, but sometimes it can be the first sign of very dangerous and even life-threatening conditions.
Why can the back “burn” in the area of the shoulder blades?
Burning in this area occurs in a variety of pathological conditions. The main ones are the following:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical and / or thoracic spine.
- Spinal curvature (scoliosis, lordosis or kyphosis).
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Protrusion of the intervertebral disc.
- Muscle spasm.
- Narrow spinal canal.
- Injuries to the spine and ribs.
- Reflux esophagitis.
- Stable / unstable angina pectoris.
- Myocardial infarction.
Among these pathological conditions, there are both more and less dangerous. In this case, it is necessary to carry out therapeutic measures during their development in any case.
Who should I contact first?
If there is a burning sensation in the back in the area of the shoulder blades, first of all, it is recommended to consult a general practitioner. This is due to the fact that he is able to differentiate the acute pathology of the cardiac profile from neurological diseases. In the case of the diagnosis of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, the therapist will provide the necessary first aid, thereby relieving the person of possible complications. In the future, the patient will be delivered by medical transport to the nearest specialized hospital.
When contacting a general practitioner, a person should be prepared for the fact that this specialist will direct him to the following types of studies:
- electrocardiography;
- radiography of the thoracic spine ;
- esophagogastroduodenoscopy (in the presence of data for reflux esophagitis);
- radiography of the cervical spine.
After a preliminary diagnosis has been made, the general practitioner can offer you treatment, or refer you to a specialist if a revealed pathology seems difficult or dangerous for the patient.
Narrow specialists
If a person has a burning sensation in the area of the shoulder blades on his back, the reasons for this can be very different. Here, the cardiovascular, and nervous, and digestive systems can play their role. As a result, the general practitioner can refer the patient who is concerned about this symptom to the following narrow specialists:
- cardiologist;
- neurologist;
- gastroenterologist.
After a general examination, these doctors can prescribe the following additional research methods:
- Ultrasound of the heart.
- Computed tomography of the cervicothoracic spine.
- X-ray of the esophagus and stomach.
Ultrasound examination of the heart allows you to determine the presence of damage to this most important organ, including its valvular apparatus. Computed tomography helps the doctor see the vertebrae in three-dimensional format. This allows you to exclude or establish the fact of the presence of pathology of the neurological profile. A fluoroscopy of the esophagus and stomach will help determine the nature and volume of the reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus.
Neurological reasons
Pathological factors of this profile are the most common causes of burning in the back in the area of the shoulder blades.
With osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine, the intervertebral discs consisting of cartilage tissue are thinned. As a result, the vertebrae begin to injure each other, leading to the development of this symptom, which is often accompanied by pain.
An intervertebral hernia is determined by computed tomography. This disease is a protrusion of the nerve tissue of the spinal cord into the intervertebral space. When it is squeezed, the patient suffers not only from a burning sensation in the back in the area of the shoulder blades, but also from severe pain, aggravated by any active movements.
Muscle spasm often develops as a result of a patient's prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position for the body or with hypothermia of the back. At the same time, it is difficult for the patient to change the position of the body, he is worried about burning and back pain. A distinctive feature of this pathology is the relatively quick healing process, which does not require active therapeutic measures. It can be accelerated with the help of drugs with muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Most often, medications made on the basis of meloxicam are used for this purpose.
A narrow spinal canal is quite rare. In the case of this pathology, soreness, as well as burning in the back, disturb the patient from a young age. The fact of the presence of this diagnosis can be established only with the help of such imaging research methods as computed and magnetic resonance imaging. Upon confirmation, surgical treatment may be recommended to the patient.
Spinal injury
Burning in the back in the area of the shoulder blades may be the result of physical effects on the spine or ribs. Most often, this symptom is accompanied by severe pain. When a rib fracture occurs, it may be difficult for the patient to breathe normally. He has more frequent shallow breathing.
Injuries to the spine require an immediate response, both from the patient himself, his relatives, and the doctor. If you suspect this pathology, you should immediately consult a specialist. The doctor will direct the patient first to an X-ray of the damaged area of the spine. In the event of any defects or serious neurological impairment, he will have to undergo further examination in the form of computed tomography. If pathology is established, the patient will be referred for surgical treatment.
Rib fractures
Rib injuries usually require little or no intervention other than excluding physical activity and pain relief. Surgical intervention is practiced only in the following cases:
- rib fracture with displacement;
- the presence of sharp fragments and / or fragments;
- multiple rib fractures;
- damage to lung tissue or pleural cavity by sharp edges of broken ribs.
After the injury, the patient will have to limit his physical activity for several months.
Cardiac causes
The most dangerous causes of burning in the back in the area of the shoulder blades are diseases of the cardiovascular profile.
With stable angina pectoris, the patient is also disturbed by pulling, burning, dull pain behind the sternum, swelling of the lower extremities, shortness of breath that occurs with minor physical exertion. Both soreness and burning in the back in the area of the shoulder blades on the left, with this pathology, quickly cease to bother the patient after taking nitroglycerin.
Unstable angina pectoris is characterized by a greater severity of these symptoms. However, they cannot be stopped by taking nitroglycerin or its analogues. In the case of this pathology, the doctor identifies signs of myocardial ischemia on the electrocardiogram and, after first aid, the patient is sent to a specialized hospital.
With myocardial infarction, a similar clinical picture is observed, which is supplemented by changes in the electrocardiogram, indicating damage to the heart tissue. The doctor’s tactics is to provide first aid and deliver the patient to a specialized hospital for hospitalization, to the intensive care unit and intensive care, bypassing the emergency room.
Esophageal damage
Burning under the shoulder blades from behind from the back can also be observed with damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus. Most often, gastric juice becomes a damaging substance. It enters the cavity of the esophagus, irritating its mucous membrane. In this case, the patient experiences heartburn. In the case of constant exposure of the gastric juice to the esophagus, reflux esophagitis develops. In addition to burning in the back in the area of the shoulder blades, it is accompanied by pain behind the sternum and a sour taste in the mouth.