Thoracic Spine & Scapula Pain

Pain in the scapula and the thoracic spine may be caused by various conditions. Some causes of thoracic spine and scapula pain may be injury to the shoulder or mid-back, viral illnesses and diseases of the spine.

Identification

• Pain in the thoracic spine is defined as pain that occurs in the mid-back. This pain may also radiate to the scapula (shoulder blade) area.

Winged Scapula

• One cause of thoracic and scapula pain is a condition known as winged scapula. The symptoms of winged scapula are a protrusion of the shoulder blade, pain and limited movement in the shoulder, difficulty lifting objects and pain in the shoulder blade when sitting in a chair or pressing against a wall. The causes of winged scapula are certain types of viral illnesses and blunt trauma to the shoulder.

Sherman's Disease

• Sherman's disease (also known as Scheuermann's disease) is a condition that can cause pain in the scapula and thoracic area. This disease usually becomes noticeable in the teen and early adult years. The symptoms associated with Sherman's disease are pain in the thoracic spine, stiffness in the spine, scoliosis, fatigue and a forward posture. While the cause remains unknown, it is thought to be a genetic condition.

Sprained Thoracic Ligaments

• Sprained thoracic ligaments is a condition that can occur with an injury to the mid-back area. This is quite painful in the scapula (shoulder blade) and the ribs. Massage therapy may be prescribed to help alleviate the pain associated with sprained thoracic ligaments.

Considerations

• Persistent pain in the thoracic spine and scapula should be treated by a physician. Some treatment options (depending on the cause of the pain) are physical therapy, medications and in some cases, surgery.