^

Health

Pain in the scapula

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

The pain in the shoulder blocks the movement of the person, sometimes making them simply impossible because of too much pain. To clarify and eliminate the causes of pain, you should go to an appointment with a traumatologist, neurologist or even an oncologist.

trusted-source[1], [2]

Diseases that can cause pain in the scapula

trusted-source[3], [4], [5]

Injury

Under the impact of a direct blow to the zone of the scapula, falling on the back, or on a straightened arm or elbow, a fracture or even a fracture may form in the bone. Often, the lower part of the bone, broken off by injury, under the influence of muscle tissue is able to move down. A person with a similar injury experiences pain in the scapula, which is especially noticeable when making movements with hands. The damaged area begins to swell, and swelling forms.

Pterygoid scapula

This phenomenon is considered acquired and appears after:

  • paralysis or muscle rupture: anterior dentate, rhomboid or trapezoid;
  • damage, inflammation of the nerve (long thoracic);
  • contusion of the forehead region;
  • transferred myopathy.

If the case is difficult, the person is unable to take his hand to the side. When attempting to lift it, the bone protrudes strongly. Pain in the scapula is disturbed mainly during movement, muscle weakness is observed. This kind of injuries are often received by athletes, circus performers, when they make a fairly sharp turn of the head or unsuccessfully pull themselves up on their hands.

Arthritis

Inflammatory processes in the synovial subscapular bag, which are chronic, and exostosis. The pain in the scapula and the feeling of gravity in it, the scapular crunch that appears with each movement of the shoulder joint, constitute the symptomatology of these diseases.

trusted-source[6], [7], [8]

Osteomyelitis

A pathological process when the bone tissue of this bone is affected. This disease appears due to the receipt of specific injuries, for example, an open injury or a gunshot wound. Pain in the scapula pains the patient along with the intoxication of the body. When the purulent process is located in the anterior part of the bone, intermuscular deposits also form. Physicians are not always able to achieve full restoration of functionality.

Tuberculosis

The disease is extremely rare and can affect only the adult generation. The zone for the spread of the disease is the acromial process, and also the body of the bone.

Tumors

This - chondrosarcoma, reticulosarcoma (refer to malignant), osteoma, osteochondroma, osteoblastoklastoma, chondroma (are benign). Studies are carried out with the help of X-ray equipment, taking necessary analyzes. Probably a puncture or open biopsy. In the process of treatment, the tumor undergoes surgical intervention.

Cervical osteochondrosis

It occurs when irritation of the nerve roots occurs in the cervico-brachial plexus. He provokes pain in the shoulder blade, in the shoulder, which does not cease even at night. Sometimes the pain appears in the hand in the echo. It becomes difficult to turn or lift. This disease is mainly people who are forced to sit with their head tilted up too long: draftsmen, teachers, accountants, sewing workers. The disease begins to actively manifest itself in mature people who have reached the age of thirty-sixty years of age.

It happens that the pain in the scapula can stop after the usual change in the position of the body or performing simple exercises to warm up. However, there are situations when the intervention of a specialist is simply necessary.

trusted-source[9], [10], [11]

Treatment of pain in the scapula

Treatment of pain in the scapula depends on what exactly caused the pain syndrome. There are many factors that can provoke pain in the scapula. Treatment is appointed individually, based on the age of the patient, his general condition of the body, as well as his diagnosis.

Treatment begins with X-rays, which may include diseases such as osteochondrosis, thoracic and cervical spondyloarthrosis, scoliosis of the thoracic vertebral part, instability of vertebral vertebral cervical spine, etc. All these ailments can provoke pain in the scapula. The patient may be prescribed additional procedures such as tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MHT).

As the treatment in these cases, use anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs, B group vitamins, muscle relaxants, Kuznetsov or Lyapko applicators, gabbatin (if the pain is very strong), dry heat, rubbing and so on. After the pain syndrome is eliminated, they start to practice physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, swimming, sanatorium treatment. Also important are daily gymnastic exercises, swimming, as the pain recedes just when the muscles are physically trained.

If the cause of pain in the scapula is osteoporosis, the patient is given radiography and densitometry. Therapeutic agents are preparations containing calcium, bisphosphonates, chondroprotectors.

If the cause of pain in the scapula is myocardial infarction, the patient must be urgently hospitalized in the infarction department for a further course of rehabilitation.

Pneumothorax - another ailment that can cause the appearance of pain in the scapula. Treatment in this case is urgent, with hospitalization in a medical institution.

Pain in the scapula can also occur as a result of infectious diseases, for example, angina, tracheitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and the retropharyngeal abscess. It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, urgent consultation of the ENT is needed.

For tumors of the lung, bronchial asthma, pleurisy, pneumonia, it is recommended that a patient consult the therapist as soon as possible. He will appoint the delivery of general clinical tests, X-rays and appoint adequate treatment.

Shoulder bladder periarthritis can also cause pain in the scapula. Treatment in this situation is to eliminate pain and muscle tension. Treatment of periarthritis includes taking local therapy, taking medications, massage, physiotherapy, as well as therapeutic gymnastics and acupuncture. You can do such an exercise: try to squeeze the unfolded newspaper in a lump hand, whose shoulder blade experiences painful sensations.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.