What causes pain between shoulder blades?
Patient: Hello, I have lumbar spondylosis and for the last 6 months have been having pain higher up between my shoulder blades and spasms over the top of my back. I was sent for an X-ray which showed degenerate changes in my thoracic spine and the starlings of osteoarthritis. For the past month I have been getting pains in my legs, mainly behind the knee and tops of my calves. To rule out pain being caused from my spine I was sent for an MRI on my thoracic and lumbar spine areas. The results have shown a shadow on my thoracic spine area and subsequently I have been referred for another MRI to look at this shadow in more detail. Of course the word shadow has prompted cancer immediately in my head, although my gp explained that I shouldn't worry about cancer initially as she thinks I would have been sent back to the hospital much quicker if this was thought to be the problem. My questions are; would a tumour have shown in the X-ray I had in June and what other causes could be the cause of a shadow on my spine?  Thank you Gina Doctor: Hello, I have studied your case.Spine tumour has very low incidence.Shadow can be due to benign hemangioma or osteoporosis.If there is any doubt you can do PET scan.Medication like methylcobalamine with neurotropic like pregabalin will reduce pain; you can take them consulting your treating doctor.Continue your physiotherapy.I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Take care.