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Disc Problem & Interscapular Pain

A person experiencing interscapular pain might have a pulled muscle in her shoulder. Because the nerves are rooted in the spine and network to other parts of the body, the real issue behind interscapular pain could be a disc problem in her spine that is causing symptoms elsewhere.

  1. Cervicobrachial Neuralgia

    • Cervicobrachial neuralgia (CBN) is a form of pain a person experiences when a nerve root in his cervical spine is either irritated or put under pressure. CBN is referred pain, meaning that the patient feels it somewhere other than where the damage is occurring. CBN can be triggered by a herniated cervical disc when the protruding portion of the disc intrudes on a nerve root, according to "Diagnosis and Treatment of Pain of Vertebral Origin."

    Symptoms

    • Interscapular pain is one of the most common symptoms of CBN. A person usually experiences a stiff neck first, with pain then moving to his shoulder. His shoulder will be painful to move and in some areas it could be painful to the touch. The pain can later travel down his arm, or remain centered in his shoulder. For some patients, the pain of CBN begins in the interscapular area rather than the neck.

    Diagnosis

    • A doctor can diagnose CBN first by examining a patient's range of motion in her neck and checking to see if she experiences any muscle weakness in her neck or arms. Imaging tests like a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) or computed axial tomography (CAT or CT) scan can reveal the presence of a herniated cervical disc. A doctor will also take age into account; herniated discs are more likely to cause interscapular pain in a patient under 40 than in an older woman.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for the interscapular pain caused by CBN focuses on taking pressure off the nerve root, which is the source of the pain. A herniated disc can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in the neck that help support the spine. Steroid injections can help reduce inflammation. In severe cases, surgery to remove the protruding part of the disc can be performed, according to "Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders."

    Considerations

    • The interscapular pain caused by disc problems in the neck can come and go. A man might be in a good deal of pain one day and feel much better the next. When describing symptoms of pain to a doctor, it is important to include details about pain or problems that occur with the neck and spine. Disc problems like a herniated disc can cause referred pain in areas other than the shoulder.

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