Back pain below the scapula is a sign that may indicate the development of a dangerous pathology. You can’t hesitate to seek medical help. And if you feel worse rapidly, you need to call an ambulance team.
Rachiocampsis
Such a pathology is said to be if a violation of the correct configuration of the spinal column is observed. Normally, the spine has slight folds in the anteroposterior direction. Lateral curvature should be absent. And if they appear, the patient may complain that his back hurts in the area below the shoulder blades. Statics show that spinal curvature is a common pathology. Faced with it, both children and adults. Often, the first violations occur even in adolescence due to the patient's incorrect position at the desk.
Less commonly, congenital spinal curvature occurs. It is associated with anomalies in the structure of the entire skeleton. The patient may also have a congenital difference in leg length. If this indicator exceeds 4 cm, the curvature of the spinal column will be heard over time. If your back hurts just below the shoulder blades, you should definitely be examined by an orthopedist.
Lateral curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. Given the degree of the pathological process, four stages are distinguished. The most dangerous is the fourth degree. The angle of curvature in this case reaches 50 degrees. Correction by conservative methods in this case will not give positive results. Surgery is required.
Therapy of lateral curvature of the spine at an early stage is carried out through physiotherapy and massage. Treatment can be supplemented by wearing a special corset. In complex treatment, medicines are also used. Calcium preparations are prescribed for the patient, allowing to strengthen the entire skeletal system.
Sprain
Back pain below the shoulder blades may appear after sports training or intense physical activity. Unpleasant sensations in this case will indicate a sprain. This is a common trauma that sooner or later almost everyone faces. Most often, such an injury is isolated. However, damage to other structures may also be observed. Often, pain under the shoulder blades is observed against a fracture of the rib.
Ligaments are a special tissue with which the elements of the skeletal system are connected. With their help, mobility of the joints is ensured. Excessive loading or sudden movement can lead to sprains. Accidentally, such an injury can result from a fall, an unsuccessful (sharp) rise from the bed. A negative factor is overweight. Patients with this problem are more likely to suffer from back injuries.
In athletes, sprains have their own specifics. With back problems are often encountered by gymnasts, runners, skiers, basketball players, soccer players. That it was necessary to face a sprain, it is easy to guess even before a thorough examination. At the time of the injury, a sharp pain occurs, which gradually subsides. At the place of stretching, slight swelling may appear. With a slight sprain, the injury will not be noticeable visually, but the patient will be disturbed by back pain below the shoulder blades. The diagnosis is confirmed by radiography.
Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. The patient is prescribed pain medications, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and rest is indicated. Temporarily have to abandon any physical activity.
Perisplenitis
Back pain on the left below the shoulder blade is a dangerous symptom that may indicate the development of perisplenitis. This is an inflammation of the connective capsule covering the spleen. Most often, unpleasant symptoms appear in elderly or middle-aged patients. Inflammation rarely develops on its own. Often perisplenitis develops against spleen injuries or excessive physical exertion. Perisplenitis is often diagnosed in men who work at a construction site or in warehouses (if it is necessary to fulfill the duties of a loader).
Inflammation of the connective tissue of the spleen can be observed in diseases of neighboring organs - left-sided pleurisy, pancreatitis, colitis, etc. In this regard, if there is pain in the back on the left below the shoulder blade, it is important to conduct a thorough differential diagnosis. Perisplenitis often develops against the background of chronic infections in the body. In this case, pathogenic microflora to the organ most often gets through the hematogenous route.
Acute perisplenitis is characterized by acute pain syndrome, which can occur under the left shoulder blade or in the side of the abdomen (at the location of the spleen). Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by coughing or sneezing. On palpation, a significant seal can be felt.
Pathology requires immediate medical attention. Refusal of therapy sooner or later will lead to suppuration of the organ and abscess of the entire abdominal cavity. If the pathogen enters the bloodstream, sepsis will develop that threatens the patient's life.
If the infection has not yet managed to spread throughout the body, it will be possible to reduce the manifestation of the disease with the help of conservative therapy and bed rest. The patient is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, immunostimulants. In the acute period of the disease, the patient is shown strict bed rest. Treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.
Herpes Zoster
This is a pathology in which the herpes virus and the nervous system are affected by the herpes virus. In this regard, therapy is carried out by several specialists at once. One of the first signs of a pathological process can be back pain below the shoulder blades - along the peripheral nerve trunks. Gradually, unpleasant symptoms are growing. The patient may complain of headache, general malaise, fever to subfebrile indicators. The duration of the initial period of the disease does not exceed four days.
A few days after the first signs appear, a painful skin rash appears on the skin. Initially, it looks like red pustules. After a while, the rash takes the form of vesicles with serous contents. If the patient has significantly reduced immunity, an increase in regional lymph nodes may be observed.
At the initial stage (before the rash), herpes zoster can be easily confused with other diseases. Therefore, it is important not to self-medicate, but immediately seek help from a doctor.
When detecting the herpes virus in the blood, the drug Acyclovir will help cope with unpleasant symptoms. With herpes zoster, the medicine is administered drip under stationary conditions. Additionally, immunostimulating therapy is performed. To relieve pain and fever, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used.
Flat feet
If the back hurts just below the shoulder blades, it is quite possible that this is due to incorrect placement of the foot while walking or running. Often it is discomfort in the upper body that is the reason for seeking help from an orthopedist. As a result, the specialist makes a completely unexpected diagnosis - “flat feet”.
Foot is an important element of the human body. It is the foot that takes the entire burden on itself, holds the weight of the human body and does not fall during walking or running. Of great importance in this case are the arches of the foot - rigid and elastic. Thus, a person can fully maintain balance. The correct arch is held at the expense of ligaments and muscle structures. When they are weakened, the foot “settles”. In this case, they are diagnosed with flat feet. The downside is that against the background of the disease, the depreciation function of the foot is significantly reduced. As a result, the entire musculoskeletal system suffers. Back pain may appear just below the shoulder blades.
Even before the appearance of a significant deterioration in well-being, the patient should pay attention to symptoms such as pain in the feet when walking, rapid fatigue while running. Often it is possible to notice a cosmetic defect. The foot with such a diagnosis looks unnatural.
The sooner the patient seeks help, the more likely it is to completely eliminate the defect. At an early stage, flat feet can be cured conservatively. The patient is recommended to reduce the static load on the foot, reduce weight if necessary. Be sure to choose comfortable shoes with the correct orthopedic insoles. High-heeled shoes must be discarded.
With running flat feet, surgical treatment is performed. Tendon transplantation can be performed on the patient, and a special plastic capsule can be installed to hold the foot in the correct position.
Ankylosing spondylitis
This is a rather rare disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which changes in the intervertebral joints develop against the background of the inflammatory process. Pathology is more common in young men (15-30 years old). In rare cases, women get sick. The first sign of the disease can be back pain in the area below the shoulder blades. In addition, many patients note that several years before the diagnosis they became more irritable, tired faster, and drowsiness appeared.
Pain and stiffness of movements often occur at rest, often at night. Using a heating pad or a hot shower at an early stage of the pathological process, it is possible to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. As the disease develops, the patient develops kyphosis (curvature of the spine). Muscles are constantly in tension, pain intensifies.
If you have back pain below the left shoulder blade, you should make an appointment with an orthopedist. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a qualified specialist. An x-ray examination is mandatory. To differentiate ankylosing spondylitis, you will additionally have to go through a consultation with a cardiologist, therapist and a neurologist.
The disease requires complex long-term therapy. Immediately after identifying the ailment, the patient undergoes therapy in a hospital using glucocorticoids, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe symptoms, immunosuppressants may be prescribed. Individually for each patient, a therapeutic gymnastics program is developed. Special breathing exercises help maintain mobility of the chest.
Osteochondrosis
This is a chronic disease in which pathological changes occur in the vertebrae and between the intervertebral discs. Pain below the right shoulder blade from the back from the back can speak of the development of osteochondrosis. Experts note that the disease to one degree or another develops in all patients. Most often, unpleasant symptoms begin to manifest in old age. However, the influence of some negative factors can lead to an exacerbation of the pathological process much earlier.
People who are forced to work physically (builders, movers) are more prone to early osteochondrosis. In young women, the disease provokes prolonged sitting in the wrong position. Osteochondrosis at an early age can be diagnosed in office workers.
If the back hurts below the right shoulder blade or in another area along the spinal column, it is recommended to make an appointment with the orthopedist. The specialist will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis already according to the patient's complaints. Osteochondrosis is confirmed by x-ray of the spine or MRI.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure the disease. With an exacerbation of the pathological process, the patient is shown bed rest. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics help to improve well-being. With significant compression of the spinal cord due to severe osteochondrosis, the patient is shown surgery.
Radiculitis
The disease is associated with damage to the roots of the spinal cord. Why does the back below the shoulder blades hurt? It is possible that I had to face radiculitis. Pain can appear immediately after lifting or due to an infectious disease. As a result, the disc stretches or ruptures. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, sciatica can be lumbosacral, thoracic or cervical. If the back below the shoulder blade on the right hurts, most likely I had to face a chest form of the disease.
Pain, upset sensation, decreased reflexes are the main symptoms of radiculitis. With the development of a chronic form of the disease, the pain will become dull. Deterioration will be caused by slopes and other movements in the lower back. Radiculitis is dangerous for its complications. Damage to the roots with the formation of intervertebral hernias can lead to compression of large radicular veins, which can provoke a spinal cord infarction. Therefore, when detecting radiculitis, one can not refuse treatment.
In the acute period of the disease, dry heat will help relieve pain. It is important to immobilize the spine, so the patient should sleep on a solid bed. Analgesics help stop acute pain. After the recovery of well-being, manual therapy is carried out, therapeutic massage is prescribed.
Intercostal neuralgia
The defeat of the intercostal nerves can also be accompanied by acute pain. When unpleasant symptoms appear, many are in a hurry to seek help from an orthopedist. If the back hurts below the shoulder blade on the right or left, it is possible that the patient will be referred to a neurologist.
Intercostal nerves are mixed. They contain sympathetic, motor and sensory fibers. They take their origin from the front branches of the spinal roots. In total there are 12 pairs of intercostal nerves. Against the background of hypothermia or the presence of a chronic infection in the body, inflammation of the intercostal nerves can be observed. The disease is almost always accompanied by acute pain. If the back is sore below the left shoulder blade, this may be due to the injury. With fractures and other injuries of the chest, the intercostal nerves also suffer.
Unilateral piercing acute pain is the main symptom of intercostal neuralgia. Initially, discomfort is observed in the affected nerve. Then the pain becomes girdle, spreads throughout the spinal column. Based on characteristic complaints, a qualified neuropathologist will make a preliminary diagnosis without any problems. Differential diagnosis is carried out using MRI, X-ray, ECG.
What to do if the back hurts (the right side is below the shoulder blade)? In this case, you should not delay in seeking medical help. With intercostal neuralgia, anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out using drugs such as Nimesulide, Diclofenac. With severe pain, medications are administered intramuscularly.
Myocardial infarction
Pain below the left shoulder blade from the back from the back is a dangerous symptom that can indicate a developing myocardial infarction. If, in addition to pain, the patient complains of breathing problems, lack of air, dizziness, it is necessary to call an ambulance immediately.
If a heart attack is suspected, the patient is subject to emergency hospitalization in cardiological resuscitation. First aid is of great importance. The patient needs to take off tight clothing and provide fresh air access to the room. Prior to diagnosis, no medication should be given to the patient.