Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back from the back occurs in all age categories of the population, both small children and the elderly.
This fact is due to various reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions for the body to severe pathologies in the body.
Small anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the chest in the back in the area from the -2nd to -7th rib.Perform binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The scapula connects the girdle of the upper limb with the arm and sternum.It protects the shoulder joint and protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress.Certain muscles that extend from the shoulder blade are designed to strengthen and support the shoulder joint.Thanks to these parts of the frame, the movement of the shoulder girdle is ensured;Their function extends to the lower limbs.The bone is equipped with nerve roots originating from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The underlying causes of pain in the shoulder blade area on the left side are quite different.There may be pain;
- sick;
- like dull pain;
- with increasing intensity;
- sharp, when it takes your breath away;
- attractive;
- burning;
- permanent, not passed;
- piercing (Lumbago);
- pressing;
- throbbing;
- pointwise.
Important!Often the cause of pain is prolonged stay of the body in an uncomfortable position, as well as muscle tension due to physical activity.They go away on their own and usually do not require medical intervention.
Prolonged pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, make consultation with a specialist necessary.Acute pain in the area of the left shoulder blade requires immediate medical intervention, because ... factors do not exclude the manifestation of angina pectoris, exacerbation of stomach ulcers, or activation of the inflammatory process in the pancreas.
Pain that affects the lower part of the left shoulder blade from the back is often the result of injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and pathologies of internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathology of the musculoskeletal system is provoked by various injuries:
- Fractures and cracks caused by impacts, falls, traffic accidents, etc.Pain increases when a person makes a movement.Also, the damaged area swells, bruises appear, and mobility decreases;
- Dislocation, which is observed in rare cases and occurs when there is a strong pull on the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade.In this case, the bone rotates, shifts, and takes an abnormal position.The lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula and the spine are subject to excessive stress, causing strain and possible rupture.
Pain in the area of the left shoulder blade in the back caused by the injury occurs immediately after the injury and only disappears when the patient recovers.
In addition to injuries, pain in the shoulder blade area from the back is often caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Pain syndrome under the scapula, which is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (dystrophic-degenerative process in the intervertebral disc of the spine), is spontaneous and can be painful and exciting.Increased pain is observed when a person remains in a sitting position for a long time and during physical work.Taking medicine does not bring relief.
An inflamed, inflamed intercostal nerve causes unbearable pain in the sternum, in the area where it is located.This syndrome increases when a person moves, when he coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply, and changes his body position.Persistent or paroxysmal pain syndrome is sharp, strong, shooting.Sometimes the pain manifests itself in the region of the heart, in the lower back, and affects the neck and arms.It can also affect the shoulder blades.
Manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to symptoms caused by heart problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris, and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
When there is inflammation in the tendons of the shoulder and the capsule of the shoulder joint without damage to the joint and the cartilage itself (humeral periarthritis), the pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blade and the bone itself.They are sharp and intensified at night.The disease is accompanied by slight swelling of the shoulder, high temperature in the range of 37-37.4º - and limited circular movement of the shoulder.This pathology is widespread and diagnosed as a result of injuries, bruises, and increased load on the shoulder joint.
With inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), caused by overstrain or infection, severe pain affects the entire cervical-brachial region, radiating to the scapula, occipital region, and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapula area occurs as a result of physical tension or impact on the bone.
Pain caused by malignant lesions of the bone structure or soft tissue refers to the early manifestations of the disease.At first, they do not differ in intensity and appear periodically, which makes the diagnosis timely.The development of the pathological process leads to an increase in the severity of negative sensations that haunt a person even at rest, especially at night.Not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics.Subsequently, the bones become deformed, the surrounding tissues swell, the skin over the malignant focus changes, and fractures occur that are not associated with trauma.
In the presence of inflammatory processes in bones (osteomyelitis) caused by Streptococci, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, E. coli and other infectious agents, patients are prone to high fever, chills, and increased heart rate.There is a complaint of back pain in the scapula and muscles, which subsides when the abscess is opened.
Please take note!Painful manifestations below or above the left shoulder blade and in the bony area are inherent in congenital anomalies.These include aplasia (absence of organs), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), pterygoid scapula, and Sprengel's disease.At the same time, a person often experiences cosmetic defects and limited motor activity.
Intervertebral hernia and protrusion of the cervical spine disc leads to compression of the nerve root by bone formation, which causes pain when moving, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain under the left shoulder blade is often caused by problems in the cardiovascular system.
Substernal pain in the middle or to the left, with extension to the upper part of the body, indicates a myocardial infarction.At the same time, a strong burning sensation can be observed under the left shoulder blade from the back.It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome.It can be painful, or it can manifest itself in an acute form.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes angina attacks, which are characterized by pressing or squeezing retrosternal pain, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm, and lower jaw.At the same time, blood pressure may increase, sweating and pallor may appear.
Angina attacks usually occur in stressful situations or from increased physical activity.They are treated with nitroglycerin.When the duration of pain exceeds 20 minutes or drugs do not provide relief, the presence of myocardial infarction can be assumed.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysm (enlargement) or aortic dissection (incomplete rupture or tear of the endothelium with the subsequent spread of blood between the layers of the vessel wall).
Small aneurysms do not show themselves in any way.When they increase, a person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.Dissecting aneurysms are characterized by a clear clinical picture.When a tear occurs, the sensation of pain is sharp and short-lived.It affects the chest and back, which leads to a reflex decrease in blood pressure and fainting.After a certain period, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arm, neck, under the left shoulder blade.This syndrome cannot be eliminated using available drugs.In this situation, death is very likely, so urgent medical attention is required.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- Ischemia - lack of blood supply to the liver;
- Pericarditis - An inflammatory process in the pericardium;
- endocarditis - inflammation of the inner lining of the heart;
- Myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.
Disorders in the autonomic nervous system cause vegetative-vascular dystonia.This disease is characterized by many manifestations, including pain under the left shoulder blade, similar to heart pain.In addition, the person experiences irritability, memory loss, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory organs
Pain under the left shoulder blade is not excluded due to respiratory diseases.
With left pneumonia, mild chest pain or under the left shoulder blade is observed - dull, painful, increasing during movement or with deep breathing.Associated symptoms include fever to critical levels, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.
When a necrotic cavity forms in the left lung, accompanied by an inflammatory process and pus formation, pain is observed in the chest area, in some cases radiating to the scapula.Pathology is accompanied by cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath, and lack of air when breathing.
The diagnosis of left pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is made based on the following symptoms: acute chest pain, sometimes radiating under the shoulder blade, fever, shortness of breath, dry cough and other manifestations.
Important!Almost all diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by pain, are characterized by cough of various types.
The occurrence of pain under the left shoulder blade may also be caused by acute bronchitis, tracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
Gastrointestinal tract
Pain in the area of the left shoulder blade often exists in the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and requires immediate medical intervention.
Ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum are characterized by paroxysmal pain.They are caused by prolonged fasting.They may appear immediately after eating or later.
Perforated ulcers cause unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.Failure to provide assistance to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease causes acute intoxication and may lead to the death of the patient.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper, middle or left side of the abdomen.In some cases, they extend below the shoulder blades.Pathology causes nausea, vomiting, bloating, and other digestive system disorders.
Some injuries cause the spleen to rupture.This did not lead to immediate internal bleeding, but caused a dull pain under the left shoulder blade.In such cases, a delay in treatment can cost the patient his life.
In addition, esophageal spasms, calculous cholecystitis, gastroesophagitis and reflux should be blamed for pain in the left shoulder blade area.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In each case, the specialist asks the patient about the accompanying manifestations, penetrates the painful area, finds blood pressure and heart rhythm stability to exclude pathological processes that may require immediate action.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited.If your back hurts for no reason for a long period of time, you need to visit a therapist, who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
An accurate determination of the cause of the pathology is made using:
- general blood and biochemical tests;
- urine analysis;
- X-ray for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiogram to rule out heart disease;
- Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data obtained from radiography;
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain is manifested, then provides a referral to a specialized doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important!For pain under the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis.Medicines that relieve pain should be prescribed only by a specialist as part of a comprehensive treatment.
There is no universal remedy to eliminate the pain under the left shoulder blade.When the patient recovers, the negative symptoms will gradually disappear.Therapy aims to eliminate the underlying disease and involves various methods.
To avoid pain in the shoulder blade, you should take care of your health and if negative symptoms occur, immediately seek help from a specialist.