If you have pain in your shoulder blades, you need to understand the causes of their occurrence as quickly as possible. This is a very common symptom that many patients regularly consult with doctors. In this article, we will examine what similar discomforting sensations can be associated with, how to deal with them, and how to treat them.
Types of sensations
The causes of pain in the shoulder blades have a different etiology. Often this is due to where exactly the patient feels discomfort. The pains are very diverse: directly in the scapula itself, under it or between the paws.
According to medical statistics, about 60% of Russians seek medical help because of a similar problem.
To understand what is the cause of pain in the shoulder blade, you first need to accurately establish its location, and also tell the doctor in detail about the sensations that a person experiences. This will significantly help with the diagnosis. This article will present the most typical and common causes of shoulder pain. It is worth noting that on the basis of their own feelings, the diagnosis can be made preliminary. Only a doctor can confirm or refute it on the basis of diagnostic studies and analyzes.
Gastrointestinal diseases
One of the most common causes of pain in the shoulder blades is a stomach ulcer. It is this diagnosis that, as a result of a thorough examination, is made to most patients.
With a similar disruption of the stomach, the pain is concentrated in the upper digestive system. Typical pain may affect the thoracic spine and the left shoulder blade area. An unpleasant state in this case will occur periodically, from time to time it becomes stronger, with exacerbations accompanied by vomiting.
It is vomiting and nausea that should alert you most. These are the first symptoms that the root of evil lies in the unstable work of the stomach. In this case, there is little doubt that the cause of the pain of the left shoulder blade from behind from the back is a stomach ulcer. Especially if there is regurgitation, belching or heartburn. What are other causes of pain in the left shoulder blade?
The shoulder blades can also be ill due to the through opening of the wound with the release of contents into the body. This is called perforation of a stomach ulcer. In this case, unpleasant pain can spread to the area of the shoulder blades. Perforation of the ulcer is accompanied by several symptoms characteristic of this condition. This is vomiting and nausea, cold perspiration on the face and body. The pain intensifies due to any minimal movements, while it is sharp and very poorly tolerated. Relief occurs only when the patient lies on his right side.
Gallbladder spasm
The cause of pain under the right shoulder blade in the back may be a constant or a single spasm of the gallbladder muscle. The bile ducts are blocked by one or more stones. It is because of them that the stabbing or cutting intense feeling of discomfort in the patient begins. The most severe pains are observed under the right rib, they can give to the right side of the face and to the right shoulder.
A person feels constantly restless, as he is not able to find a position in which he is comfortable. This muscle spasm is often accompanied by vomiting or nausea.
Heart attack
This is one of the most dangerous causes that can cause shoulder pain. With a heart attack, the patient requires urgent care and hospitalization. If therapy is not timely, the patient may die.
In most cases, a heart attack occurs as a result of strong physical or emotional stress. Often an attack is preceded by severe angina pectoris, which manifests itself in acute pain in the chest, extending to the left shoulder blade, as well as to the jaw and neck. In such cases, it is recommended to give drugs that promote vasodilation, but even after taking them, discomfort may not pass. Analgesics often become the only salvation.
If the patient has pain under the left shoulder blade in the back, the cause can be fatal. In order to prevent a heart attack, it is better to play it safe and immediately call an ambulance crew.
Osteochondrosis and intercostal neuralgia
Another common problem associated with shoulder pain is osteochondrosis. In this case, we are talking about the type of ailment that is concentrated in the cervical spine.
You can establish this disease for a number of symptoms. This is a constant and dull pain in the lower part of the back of the head. With sudden movements of the neck, it intensifies, and when exposed to heat, it can decrease. Therefore, with attacks of osteochondrosis, it is advised to take a bath. In some cases, the patient begins to experience discomfort in the hands or head, then it is not surprising if he has dizziness.
Severe discomfort in the area of the shoulder blades also occurs due to intercostal neuralgia. In this case, wave-like attacks of pain are characteristic. The peculiarity is that discomfort in this case occurs when walking, physical exertion, sneezing, coughing, palpation of the location of the disease. If the muscle tension is excessive, the pain extends to almost the entire back. This condition is often accompanied by sensations of sensory impairment and burning.
Psychological problems
Perhaps the second most common disease associated with this symptom will be psychological problems.
In such situations, as a rule, a person, describing his condition, speaks of characteristic tingling, pressure and heaviness in the chest, intense heat. He can feel a cold shiver, an unreasonable feeling of fear and anxiety. Only a psychologist can help in such a situation.
Abdomen and kidney
The cause of pain under the shoulder blades on the right side of the back can be the formation of an abscess that appears between the organs of the abdominal cavity and the diaphragm. This phenomenon in medicine is called a subphrenic abscess. As a rule, it is accompanied by acute pain under the right shoulder blade. With each breath, it literally becomes sharper and stronger. As a result, it extends to the entire right shoulder. This can be a classic cause of pain under the shoulder blades from the back. Typically, if such an attack is accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
Also, kidney problems can cause pain under the shoulder blades from behind from the back. At the same time, it is characteristic that the entire lumbar region is covered with discomfort. Symptoms such as frequent urination, accompanied by unpleasant and painful sensations, will indicate problems in this organ.
Shovels as sources of pain
In some cases, the cause of pain under the shoulder blades from the back from the back is a violation in them. As a rule, this is associated with various bone diseases. There are several options for why the pain under the shoulder blade in the back does not go away for a long time.
The first is trauma. It occurs when a strong blow to the upper back or as a result of a fall. Also, discomfort in the shoulder blades can be caused by an injury to the arm or elbow, pinching of the back muscles or a fracture with displacement. In such cases, the pain persists constantly with sharp intensifications during any attempt by a person to move the shoulder joint or arm. A characteristic sign of a fracture is swelling and swelling of the damaged area.
The problem may lie in the pathology known in medicine as the pterygoid scapula. In this case, the patient has paralysis of the trapezius or rhomboid muscle. As a rule, such paralysis appears as a result of the development of a neuroinfection or due to a pinched nerve. In most cases, such a pathology is acquired with regular bruises or damage to bones. This is a common injury among professional athletes.
Violation of the normal functioning of the scapula may be scapular crunch. This defect is characterized by a constant feeling of heaviness.
Scoliosis and osteomyelitis
Scoliosis is considered one of the most common disorders of the spine. In most cases, this ailment is accompanied by a feeling of frozen muscles in the upper back and neck, their numbness. This problem appears due to pinching of nerves in the vertebra or prolonged sitting in one position.
Osteomyelitis is much less common. It occurs due to open damage to the bones of the scapula, accompanied by general intoxication of the whole organism, which can lead to significant problems.
Treatment methods
Knowing the causes of pain under the scapula, treatment will be prescribed by a doctor in a timely manner. For example, if the problem is scoliosis, then there are several types of therapy.
Conservative implies the use of medications. General strengthening drugs and vitamins should be taken. In severe forms, pain relief with analgesics is allowed.
Orthosis is also used. This is the basis for the treatment of this disease. Active corsets are used, which fix the torso, effects on the curvature arches. In addition, scoliosis is treated with orthopedic insoles, but most experts consider this method to be exclusively preventive.
It is also important to change the lifestyle itself. Refuse to constantly sit in the wrong position with a slanted back. Physiotherapy exercises can help. A complex of effective exercises exists for any stage of scoliosis. Thus, you will be able to strengthen your back muscles by forming a healthy and powerful muscle corset. All this stabilizes the spine, preventing its deformation. Physical activity is contraindicated only in patients with severe back pain, who also have problems with blood circulation and breathing.
Diet therapy will not save you from scoliosis, but will contribute to complex therapy. Salty and spicy dishes, alcohol and smoked foods should be removed from the diet. The menu should be based on dairy products, lean meat, cereals and eggs. The key elements are magnesium and potassium salts.
How to deal with osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is almost always treated in a hospital setting. Depending on the severity and extent of the disease, the affected area is drained. Necrotic areas of bone and pus are removed from there.
A course of antibiotics is required. They are prescribed taking into account the sensitivity of bacteria that led to inflammation. Antibacterial drugs are administered intravenously for one and a half months.