Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back from the back occurs in all age groups of the population, both in young children and in the elderly.
This fact is due to a wide range of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position for the body to serious pathologies in the body.
A little anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the rib cage from the back in the region of ribs II to VII. It performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The shoulder blade connects the waist of the upper extremities with the arms and sternum. Protects the shoulder joint, protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress. Certain muscles that extend from the shoulder blades are designed to strengthen and support the shoulder joints. Thanks to these parts of the skeleton, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured, its functions extend even to the lower extremities. The bone is provided with nerve roots that emanate from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The underlying causes of left side shoulder blade pain are quite varied. Painful sensations can be;
- pain;
- like dull pains;
- with greater intensity;
- harsh when you catch your breath;
- traction;
- fire;
- permanent, not temporary;
- stabbing (lumbago);
- oppressive;
- pulsating
- point.
Important! Often the cause of pain is the prolonged presence of the body in an uncomfortable position, as well as muscle stretching due to physical exertion. They disappear on their own and, as a rule, do not require medical intervention.
Long-term pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, makes consultation with a specialist a must. Acute pain in the region of the left scapula requires urgent medical attention, because the factor does not exclude the manifestation of angina pectoris, exacerbation of stomach ulcers, activation of inflammatory processes in the pancreas.
Pain affecting the lower part of the left scapula from the back is often the result of injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and pathologies of the internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
The pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are caused by various injuries:
- fractures and cracks caused by impacts, falls, traffic accidents, etc. Sharp pain intensifies when a person makes movements. Also, the damaged area swells, bruises appear, mobility decreases;
- Dislocations, which are seen in rare cases and occur with a strong shake of the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade. In this case, the bone rotates, moves, takes an abnormal position. Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula and the spine are overloaded, causing a stretch with possible tear.
Pain in the area of the left shoulder blade in the back caused by trauma occurs immediately after the injury and disappears only when the patient recovers.
In addition to injuries, pain in the area of the scapula from the back is often caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The pain syndrome under the scapula, which is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (dystrophic-degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs of the spine) is spontaneous, can be painful and pulling. An increase in pain is observed when a person sits for a long time and during physical exertion. Taking medicine does not bring relief.
A pinched and inflamed intercostal nerve becomes the cause of excruciating pain in the sternum, where it runs. The syndrome intensifies during the movement of a person, when he coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply, changes the position of his body. The permanent or paroxysmal pain syndrome is acute, strong and stabbing. Sometimes the pain manifests itself in the region of the heart, in the lower back and is reflected in the neck and arms. It can also affect the scapula.
The manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to those caused by heart problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris, pleurisy. Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
With inflammation in the shoulder tendon and the capsule of the shoulder joint without directly damaging the joint and cartilage (periarthritis), the pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone itself. They differ in sharpness and amplification at night. The disease is accompanied by a slight swelling of the shoulder, an increase in temperature between 37 and 37. 4 ºС, limitation of circular movements of the shoulder. The pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a consequence of injuries, bruises, increased stress on the shoulder joint.
With inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), provoked by their overexertion or infection, severe pain affects the entire cervicobrachial region, radiating to the scapula, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapula area manifests itself as a result of physical exertion or impact on the bone.
Pain in a malignant lesion of bone structure or soft tissue refers to the initial manifestation of the disease. At first, they do not differ in intensity and appear periodically, which complicates timely diagnosis. The development of pathological processes leads to an increase in the severity of negative sensations that haunt a person even at rest, mainly at night. They are not removed with non-narcotic pain relievers. In addition, the bone is deformed, the surrounding tissues swell, the skin over the malignant focus changes, fractures occur that are not associated with injuries.
In the presence of an inflammatory process in the bone (osteomyelitis) caused by streptococci, staphylococci, salmonella, Escherichia coli, and other infectious agents, the patient is exposed to high temperatures, chills, and increased heart rate. There are complaints of back pain in the area of the scapula and muscles, which decrease when the abscess opens.
To consider! Painful manifestations below or above the left scapula and in the bone area are inherent in congenital anomalies. These include aplasia (lack of an organ), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), pterygoid scapula, Sprengel disease. At the same time, a person often suffers from a cosmetic defect and limited physical activity.
Herniated discs and protrusion of the cervical spine discs cause compression of the nerve roots by bony formations, causing pain during movement, especially when the head is tilted.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of cardiovascular problems.
Chest pain in the central part or to the left, with expansion to the upper part of the body, indicates a myocardial infarction. At the same time, there may be a strong burning sensation under the left shoulder blade from behind from the back. It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome. It can be painful or it can manifest acutely.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina pectoris, characterized by crushing or crushing chest pains, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm, and lower jaw. In this case, blood pressure may rise, appear sweating and paleness.
Angina attacks generally occur in stressful situations or due to increased physical exertion. They are stopped by nitroglycerin. When the duration of the pain syndrome exceeds 20 minutes or the drugs do not provide relief, a myocardial infarction is suspected.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to an aneurysm (enlargement) or dissection of the aorta (incomplete rupture or tear of the endothelium, followed by the spread of blood between the layers of the vessel wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way. As they increase, the person begins to feel a dull ache in the back. The exfoliating aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture. With a tear, the painful sensation is sharp and short-lived. It affects the chest and back, causing a reflex drop in blood pressure and fainting. After a certain period of time, a person feels burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, and under the left shoulder blade. The syndrome cannot be eliminated with the help of available medications. In such a condition, a lethal outcome is very possible, which is why urgent medical attention is needed.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- ischemia - lack of blood supply to the heart;
- pericarditis - inflammatory processes in the pericardium;
- endocarditis - an inflammatory disease of the inner lining of the heart;
- myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.
Alterations of the autonomic nervous system cause vegetative dystonia. The disease is characterized by numerous manifestations, including pain syndrome under the left shoulder blade, similar to the heart. Also, a person suffers from irritability, memory impairment, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory system
Painful sensations under the left shoulder blade are not excluded with diseases of the respiratory system.
With left-sided pneumonia, there are weak pains in the chest or under the left shoulder blade, a dull, aching character, aggravated during movement or with deep breathing. Concomitant symptoms include a rise in temperature to critical values, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, and more.
With the formation of necrotic cavities in the left lung, accompanied by inflammatory processes and the formation of pus, pain syndrome is observed in the chest region, in some cases with radiation to the scapula. Pathology is accompanied by cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath, shortness of breath during breathing.
The diagnosis of left-sided pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is made on the basis of the following symptoms: acute chest pain, sometimes radiating below the scapula, fever, shortness of breath, dry cough and other manifestations.
Important! Almost all diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by pain, are characterized by a cough of a different nature.
The appearance of pain under the left shoulder blade is also possible due to acute bronchitis, tracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
Gastrointestinal tract
Pain in the area of the left scapula is often inherent in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and requires urgent medical intervention.
For ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, paroxysmal pain is characteristic. Prolonged hunger causes them. They can appear immediately after a meal or later.
Perforated ulcers cause severe, excruciating pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Failure to assist the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease leads to acute poisoning and may result in the death of the patient.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper, middle or left part of the abdomen. In some cases, they give way under the scapula. The pathology causes nausea, vomiting, bloating and other disorders of the digestive system.
Some injuries cause the spleen to rupture. This does not lead to immediate internal bleeding, but does cause a dull ache under the left shoulder blade. In such cases, delaying treatment can cost the patient his life.
Also, esophageal spasm, calculous cholecystitis, gastroegophagitis, and reflux can cause pain in the left shoulder blade.
Methods of diagnosis, treatment.
In each case, the specialist asks the patient about the accompanying manifestations, palpates the painful area, finds out the blood pressure and the stability of the heart rate to exclude pathological processes that may require urgent action.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited. If the back hurts for no reason for a long period, it is necessary to visit a therapist who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
An accurate determination of the causes of pathology is carried out using:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- urine analysis;
- X-ray for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- EKGs to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient X-ray data;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain occurs, then refers it to a narrow-profile physician (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, or neuropathologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important! For pain under the left shoulder blade, pain relievers only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis. Pain relievers should be prescribed only by a specialist as part of a comprehensive treatment.
There is no universal remedy for pain under the left shoulder blade. As the patient recovers, the negative symptom will gradually disappear. Therapy is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and involves a variety of methods.
To avoid pain in the area of the shoulder blades, you must take care of your health and, if any negative symptoms appear, immediately seek the help of a specialist.