Simultaneous pain in the shoulder and scapula at the back may indicate various pathologies. It is quite difficult to determine at home what caused the pain syndrome, since the range of diseases in which the shoulder and shoulder blade hurt at the same time is quite large. In this article we present the most common symptoms of diseases, but only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
The combination of pain in the shoulder and scapula may indicate pathologies in the area of the shoulder joint, acromioclavicular joint, or glenohumeral joint.
Typically, such pain syndrome indicates the following diseases:
- Arthritis
- Periarthritis
- Deforming osteoarthritis
- Bruising of this area
- Fracture of the bones that make up the shoulder joint
- Ligament sprain
- Tendon rupture
- Bursitis and tendovaginitis
Complications from ARVI or the onset of a heart attack
The answer to the question “Why does my neck hurt” depends on the nature and location of the unpleasant sensations. At the beginning of the examination, the doctor will definitely ask whether the patient has recently suffered from blows, bruises and falls, whether he has lifted heavy objects, or been exposed to excessive physical exertion. Once the possibility of injury has been completely ruled out, the patient may be given one of the following diagnoses:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. From this disease, aching pain when turning the neck radiates to the shoulder blade, shoulder girdle, and the back of the head, movements in the shoulders are constrained, and the fingers go numb. I also often have headaches.
- Intervertebral hernia. When the neck and right shoulder blade or left shoulder hurt, this may be a consequence of scoliosis or kyphosis. At first, the discomfort can be tolerated, although movements are constrained. However, gradually the nerves are pinched more and more, and the nagging pain increases. The intervertebral disc protrudes into the surrounding space, that is, a hernia occurs. If it is not cured in time, only surgery will help get rid of it.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system. With minor attacks of angina, the neck, shoulder blade and arm on the left hurt, as well as pain in the heart area. As a rule, such attacks can be relieved with pharmaceutical drugs. However, if the drugs do not help, the pressure decreases, and the skin turns white, it’s time to call an ambulance, as there is a risk of a heart attack.
- Cholecystitis, pancreatitis, exacerbation of stomach ulcers. If a burning pain is felt at the shoulder blades, in the abdomen and in the side, this happens when the bile duct is blocked or an ulcer perforates.
- Renal colic, pyelonephritis. Discomfort extends to the lower part of the shoulder blades and lower back. The patient feels nauseous, his temperature rises, and pain occurs when urinating.
- Pneumonia, pleurisy. The shoulder blades ache with every breath, the temperature rises, and a cough is possible. As a rule, this becomes a complication of acute respiratory viral infection or influenza.
If you have pain in your neck and between your shoulder blades, but you are sure that the spinal column and back muscles are in order, contact a therapist, and he will refer you to a specialist doctor. If the pain is unbearable, immediately call an ambulance, as this may be a sign of a heart attack, an attack of cholecystitis, or perforation of an ulcer.
Joint pathology
If pain in the shoulder and shoulder blade is associated with joint disease, then diagnosing it on your own is quite difficult. Associated symptoms include:
- Increased pain when trying to make certain movements with the hand on the affected side
- Swelling and increased temperature of surrounding tissues
- Pain when touched or pressed
- Severe limitation of range of motion in a certain joint
If you suspect that you have inflammation of the joint, you should immediately seek help from a qualified clinic, since such a pathology can lead to the development of complications and disability.
The spine complains quietly
When the spine in the neck and shoulder blades hurts slightly, “straining”, many do not attach much importance to this and do not consult a doctor in a timely manner. However, this is exactly how spinal column problems manifest themselves. The sensations become unbearable only when the disease is advanced and difficult to treat.
If the neck and shoulder blade hurt sharply and sharply on the left side, this most likely indicates damage to the lungs or heart. If other internal organs are affected, the pain can shoot in several areas at the same time: in the side, under the shoulder blades, between the ribs. This is often accompanied by weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the scapular region
1. conservative method - involves drug treatment (to relieve inflammatory processes), therapeutic exercises and massage.
The goal of drug treatment is to relieve spasm and block acute pain in the scapular region. Among the drugs that are used may be the following:
- blocking drugs;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antispasmodics;
- chondroprotectors;
- angioprotectors;
- ointments, gels, creams for topical use.
2. Surgical method (in extreme, advanced cases)
At the Yusupov Hospital, the best rehabilitation doctors and exercise therapy instructors provide effective rehabilitation and treatment of osteochondrosis of the scapular region. Qualified diagnosis and accurate diagnosis are the key to successful recovery.
Rehabilitation at the Yusupov Hospital is carried out using the following procedures:
- massage;
- exercise therapy;
- Vojta therapy;
- MMT;
- kinesiotherapy;
- bobat therapy and others.
Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital use the latest equipment to treat osteochondrosis of the scapular region:
- mechanical, robotic simulators;
- verticalizers;
- Exart devices;
- suspension systems to reduce the load on the musculoskeletal system (similar to a swimming pool).
The main task that the Yusupov Hospital team sets for itself is the most effective treatment of scapular osteochondrosis and restoration of lost functions of the musculoskeletal system.
X-ray, ultrasound, throat swab
If you experience pain between the shoulder blades in the spine to the neck, consult an orthopedist and neurologist. They will first take a medical history and then give directions for an X-ray, CT scan or MRI of the chest. An X-ray will reveal pathologies inside the bone tissue - and if there are none, then the problem lies in neighboring organs. CT scans can also help identify bone lesions or injuries.
But MRI will give the most comprehensive picture. This is the most informative technique for examining ligaments, intervertebral discs and surrounding soft tissues. MRI determines the presence of hernias, protrusions, and pinched nerve endings. After establishing the location and cause of the pathology, blood or intra-articular synovial fluid tests may be required.
If the pain from the neck to the shoulder blade on the left or right is not caused by damage to the spinal column, you should also visit a pulmonologist, cardiologist and gastroenterologist. If there are suspicions of diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas, liver, kidneys, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, and if there are problems with the cardiovascular system, an ultrasound of the heart and an electrocardiogram.
If the doctor decides that the malaise is caused by a gastric ulcer, a gastroscopy will be performed. To assess the condition of the respiratory system, you need to do a CT scan of the lungs or a fluorogram, and also take a throat smear if pneumonia is suspected. Most likely, the patient will also be sent for biochemical tests of urine and blood.
Problems with the cardiovascular system
In addition to common causes, such as damage to joints and bone tissue, we should not forget that pain in the shoulder blades may indicate problems with the cardiovascular system. Sudden pain in this area, if caused by heart pathology, requires immediate medical attention.
If the causes of pain in the back of the shoulder blades are caused by changes in the heart muscle or coronary vessels, then the following symptoms are observed:
- Shortness of breath with little physical exertion
- Increased shortness of breath when moving to a lying position
- Occasionally (at the initial stage of the disease) or constantly (at an advanced state of the pathological process), dense “cardiac” swelling on the legs and face can be detected
- Pale or bluish skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle
- Periodic chest pain
- Feeling short of air
Eliminate the root cause and apply a compress
If a patient has pain between the shoulder blades and radiates to the neck as a result of a spinal injury, this injury should first be eliminated with the help of a traumatologist. To restore the normal functioning of the spinal column and relieve static muscle strain, a specialist may recommend:
- therapeutic massages (but in no case at home, but in a professional’s office);
- sets of exercises for the musculoskeletal system;
- compresses;
- rubbing with ointments;
- physiotherapy.
When pain when turning the neck in the scapula area is caused by diseases of the internal organs, it is necessary to get rid of the root cause of the disease with the help of medication, physiotherapy or surgery. The doctor will decide whether additional treatment for the spine will be needed after this or not.
Osteochondrosis
Sometimes pain in the shoulder and scapula from behind is observed with the development of such a common disease as osteochondrosis. If the intervertebral cartilaginous disc at the junction of the cervical and thoracic spine is subject to deformation, this leads to pain in the area of the shoulder blades and shoulder girdle.
For successful treatment, osteochondrosis must be diagnosed in the early stages. When the disease is advanced, complications develop in the form of protrusion and subsequently herniation of the intervertebral disc.
Without excess weight and stress
Treatment of neck pain should also be accompanied by lifestyle changes.
If you sit at a computer or other work place for a long time, try to get up once an hour to walk around the room, bend, and turn your torso and head.
Sign up for fitness or physical therapy and get rid of excess body weight. Buy a comfortable mattress and pillow, avoid overwork and excessive physical activity. If possible, go on vacation to a sanatorium.
And try to protect yourself from stress - under the influence of negative emotions, we reflexively strain our backs and slouch.
Causes of scapular osteochondrosis and its treatment
Very often the cause of the disease is thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis, causing pathology of the scapular region.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the scapula:
- previous injuries;
- lack of an active lifestyle;
- long sitting and stooping;
- for women - walking in heels;
- professional sports;
- lifting heavy weights;
- incorrect position during sleep;
- uncomfortable mattress and pillow.
Failure to consult a specialist in a timely manner can lead to the development of a number of pathologies and diseases. In addition, as it progresses, osteochondrosis of the scapular region triggers inflammatory processes in the body, which leads to the acute phase of the disease. The above symptoms may be signs of diseases of the cardiovascular system, so you should seek help from experienced specialists.
At the Yusupov Hospital, doctors carry out comprehensive diagnostics using the latest research methods and equipment:
- MRI, CT;
- EMG;
- VEEG;
- duplex scanning;
- neuroimaging.
In the event that a patient needs a more thorough examination, the Yusupov Hospital conducts laboratory tests of any complexity and collaborates with the best research institutes in the field of complex and rare tests. A high level of patient diagnostics is the key to successful rehabilitation and recovery. Professional rehabilitologists select an individual complex for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the scapular region.
Efficiency of treatment of osteochondrosis of the scapular region
To effectively treat osteochondrosis of the scapula, several rules should be followed:
- consult a specialist in a timely manner, without waiting for the symptoms to worsen;
- undergo examination in a hospital;
- Once the diagnosis has been made, you can begin to treat cervical osteochondrosis using physiotherapy procedures.
Only a doctor can select physical therapy for a patient. In the Yusupov Hospital, osteochondrosis of the scapular region is treated by the best rehabilitation doctors, instructors in exercise therapy in sports medicine, who have scientific degrees of candidates of medical sciences. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital regularly undergo advanced training.
The doctors of the Yusupov Hospital are specialists in the field of neurorehabilitation, they are members of the Union of Rehabilitation Therapists of the Russian Federation, the Russian Association for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Sick and Disabled, they are proficient in the latest methods of rehabilitation with various pathologies, methods of ontogenetically determined kinesiotherapy and medical massage. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the scapular region in the Yusupov Hospital is carried out with the help of coordinated work of therapists, neurologists, orthopedists and other specialists, which allows treatment of even very severe patients. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital identify the cause of the disease, provide effective treatment, and eliminate associated complications, such as manifestations of osteochondrosis under the left shoulder blade. This comprehensive approach allows patients who were abandoned in other hospitals to return to a healthy lifestyle. The staff of the Yusupov Hospital is aimed at making patients’ stay in the clinic as comfortable as possible and achieving the highest possible results in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the scapular region. Patients are accepted at any time of the day, day of the week and time of year. The contact center is open 24 hours a day. You can make an appointment with a doctor by calling the Yusupov Hospital phone number.
