Osteochondrosis is one of the most common diseases characterized by destructive processes in the cartilage structure and intervertebral discs. The Yusupov Hospital takes a comprehensive approach to the treatment of scapular osteochondrosis.
Scapular osteochondrosis is a disease that manifests itself in the form of pain between the shoulder blades or under the left shoulder blade. Due to displacement and damage to the spinal discs, an inflammatory process occurs, which is the cause of pain.
Symptoms and signs of scapular osteochondrosis:
- pain in the scapular region;
- violation of freedom of movement in the area of the shoulder blades;
- radiating pain under the left shoulder blade when coughing;
- crunch in the scapular region;
- pain under the left shoulder blade;
- numbness of the left hand;
- sweaty palms.
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.
Why does it hurt under my right shoulder blade?
Musculoskeletal pathologies
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are the most common causes of pain on the right side under the scapula. Incorrect gait and posture, prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle - all this leads to damage to the structures of the spinal column and causes noticeable pain. Discomfort under the right shoulder blade is observed when the thoracic spine or muscles located in this area are damaged. Main etiological factors:
- Osteochondrosis.
The degenerative process is manifested by sharp pains, which become more noticeable with awkward movements, shaking, or sitting in an uncomfortable position. The discomfort is very strong, because of which the person is forced to walk, leaning slightly to the right, and sparing the affected side. When the process is complicated by an intervertebral hernia, a person experiences excruciating constant pain. - Scoliosis.
Spinal curvature is accompanied by tonic muscle tension, which causes pain in the scapula area. Unpleasant sensations develop after prolonged standing or sitting in one position, when there is a maximum load on the spine. The pain is dull or aching in nature and intensifies with palpation of the back. - Myofascial syndrome.
At first, patients experience deep pain of moderate intensity in response to palpation of trigger points or after physical activity. Gradually, the pain becomes permanent, the feeling of discomfort does not disappear even at rest. Symptoms are combined with paresthesia and numbness. - Ankylosing spondylitis.
For this pathology, ascending spread is specific. First, pain occurs in the lower back, and when the thoracic vertebrae are involved in the process and radicular syndrome develops, the discomfort shifts to the right subscapular region. Pain directly under the scapula indicates damage to the 7th-8th thoracic roots on the right.
Injuries to the shoulder blade are a rare occurrence, accounting for no more than 5% of all injuries to the shoulder girdle, but they can also cause pain under the right shoulder blade. When a bone is cracked, a person experiences sharp pain of moderate severity, but movement in the shoulder joint is preserved. A fracture of the scapula is accompanied by severe swelling and hematoma, crepitus, and acute pain that intensifies with movement.
Pain under the right shoulder blade
Diseases of the hepatobiliary system
The irradiation of unpleasant sensations from the right hypochondrium to the area of the scapula is due to the peculiarities of the innervation of these structures and their anatomical proximity. Symptoms are aching, dull, stabbing or pulsating. The pain can be clearly localized under the right shoulder blade or spread over a large area of the back. The most common causes of pain are:
- Dyskinesia of the gallbladder.
It manifests itself as periodic aching or stabbing sensations, which depends on the type of disorder - hypomotor or hypermotor variant. There is a clear connection between pain and fatty foods, carbonated drinks and other unhealthy foods. The pain disappears after 1-3 hours on its own or after taking antispasmodics. - Chronic cholecystitis.
For inflammation of the gallbladder, periodic dull pain under the ribs on the right, radiating to the scapula, is pathognomonic. They bother a person for several months and periodically change their intensity. Complemented by nausea, bitterness in the mouth, and stool instability. - Hepatitis.
The inflammatory process is characterized by severity and moderate pain in the right hypochondrium, but usually discomfort radiates to the subscapular region. In this case, the patient experiences deep, constant pain that is not associated with physical activity or eating. - Hepatic colic.
Sharp, unbearable pain, which is felt on the right hypochondrium, under the scapula and extends to the collarbone, indicates blockage of the bile duct with stones. Painful symptoms cause a person to rush around the room, unable to find a place. Repeated vomiting is observed and body temperature rises. - Biliary peritonitis.
Immediately after perforation of the gallbladder wall, severe cutting pain occurs in the hypochondrium, which spreads to the space under the right shoulder blade, intensifying even with minor movements. To alleviate the condition, the patient lies on his right side, tucking his knees to his stomach. Against the background of pain, reflex vomiting occurs, and stool retention is observed.
Peptic ulcer
An ulcer of the duodenum or antrum of the stomach, as a rule, causes radiating pain under the right shoulder blade, in contrast to a defect in the body of the stomach, which provokes similar sensations on the left. The disease is characterized by hunger or nighttime discomfort, which decreases or completely disappears after eating. The pain is complemented by nausea, vomiting, which brings relief, sour belching and constant heartburn.
Hernia of the white line of the abdomen
When the protrusion is localized on the right, pain can be felt in the subscapularis area on the same side. Discomfort occurs with straining, physical activity, and flatulence. A person experiences moderate dull painful sensations that last for several hours and disappear when the hernia is spontaneously reduced into the abdominal cavity. As the hernia of the white line of the abdomen progresses, when the protrusion becomes irreducible, pain is experienced constantly.
Pathologies of the respiratory organs
Right-sided focal lesions of the lungs and pleura, especially if they are located closer to the back, often manifest as pain in the corresponding subscapular region. Discomfort has a clear connection with specific respiratory symptoms: cough, expectoration, shortness of breath. Mostly, pain occurs during an acute process: pneumonia, dry and exudative pleurisy, exacerbation of tuberculosis. The symptom is accompanied by fever and general malaise.
Pain under the right shoulder blade occurs with surgical diseases of the chest. Severe pain radiating to the back develops with a pulmonary infarction. They are accompanied by hemoptysis, dysfunction of external respiration, and a state of shock. Right-sided tension pneumothorax is characterized by gradually increasing pain in the chest and near the scapula.
Kidney diseases
With an inflammatory process in the right kidney, pain radiates to the lower back, but it can also occur under the scapula. Painful sensations with pyelonephritis are of moderate intensity, they bother you constantly, their character does not change after eating or physical activity. At the same time, the person notices dysuric disorders, increased body temperature, and a change in the color of urine.
Skin lesions
Pathological processes in the dermis of the subscapularis also cause pain and discomfort, but the sensations are superficial, which distinguishes them from deep radiating pain in somatic diseases. Possible causes of pain are boils and carbuncles, neoplasms (basal cell carcinoma, melanoma). Occasionally, an unpleasant sensation occurs when foci of chronic diseases (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis) are localized under the right shoulder blade.
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.
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.
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.
Back pain under the shoulder blades
Causes
Back pain under the shoulder blades can occur due to the following pathological conditions:
- neuralgia
(often due to hypothermia) - can affect the supra- or subscapular, supra- or infraspinatus, intercostal nerves and are accompanied by unilateral pain spreading to the shoulder; - osteochondrosis
- when the thoracic spine is affected, the articular discs can become deformed, which is accompanied by severe pain - if discs 2 to 6 are involved, the pain is localized in the area of the shoulder blades and can radiate to the neck or arm; when discs 6 to 12 are involved in the process, the pain syndrome is concentrated under the left or right shoulder blade with irradiation to the lower back; - scoliosis
- occurs as a result of curvature of the spine against the background of hypertonicity of the muscles responsible for maintaining correct posture, and is accompanied by pinching of the roots, resulting in pain; - kyphosis
(neurogenic or muscular) - a backward bend of the spine simultaneously with the forward movement of the shoulder girdle; against the background of stooping, the pain is bilateral in nature and can radiate to the arm or neck area; - spondyloarthrosis
- diagnosed with damage to the facet joints, characterized by complete or partial loss of mobility, mainly in the morning; the severity of pain and other symptoms directly depends on the stage of development of the disease, which begins with the destruction of cartilage and ends with the formation of bone growths that injure muscles, vasculature, and nerves; - protrusion of intervertebral discs
- when 1-3 segments are affected, the pain is acute, concentrated under the left or right shoulder blade, intensifies when the head is tilted; if discs 3 to 6 are damaged, discomfort occurs when taking a deep breath, when turning the body or moving the arms to the sides; - radiculitis
- pinching of the lumbar roots can occur in different parts, while the pain under the scapula is bilateral and can intensify with sudden movements, be burning or in the form of lumbago.
Cardiovascular pathologies and problems with the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis) can also lead to back pain under the shoulder blades.
Clinical picture
In addition to the pain syndrome itself, the patient’s condition may be aggravated by the addition of other symptoms indicating the development of a particular disease. It can be:
- dizziness and headaches (for example, due to increased intracranial pressure);
- breathing problems (due to chest deformation);
- arrhythmia, shortness of breath;
- pale skin;
- numbness of limbs, etc.
If you find the listed symptoms in yourself, it is better not to delay treatment and not to ignore such signals from the body, but to contact our medical center for examination.
Diagnostics
To make an accurate diagnosis and identify the causes of back pain under the shoulder blades, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- radiography;
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- electrocardiogram;
- Ultrasound.
It is also necessary to take blood and urine tests.
Treatment
Treatment of pain syndrome in our medical center is carried out using an integrated approach. To restore postural balance and correct interaction of all organs and systems, a course of manual and physiotherapy procedures, acupuncture, massage, etc. is prescribed. In case of postural disorders, physical therapy can also achieve good results to correct a crooked back.
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.