Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back of 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 from II to VII ribs. It performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The shoulder blade connects the girdle of the upper limbs with the arms and the breastbone. Protects the shoulder joint, protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress. Some muscles extending 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, their functions also extend to the lower limbs. The bone is supplied with nerve roots from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The underlying causes of left-sided shoulder blade pain are quite varied. They can be painful sensations;
- in pain;
- like dull pains;
- with greater intensity;
- sour when you catch your breath;
- pulling;
- burning up;
- permanent, not transitory;
- stabbing (lumbago);
- oppressive;
- button;
- point.
Important! Often the cause of pain is the prolonged presence of the body in an uncomfortable position, as well as muscle strain due to physical exertion. They go away on their own and, as a rule, do not require medical intervention.
Long-term pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, requires consultation with a specialist. Acute pain in the region of the left shoulder blade requires urgent medical attention, because the factor does not exclude the manifestation of angina pectoris, exacerbation of gastric ulcers, activation of inflammatory processes in the pancreas.
Pain affecting 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 the internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are caused by various injuries:
- fractures and cracks caused by bumps, falls, traffic accidents, etc. Aching pain intensifies when a person makes movements. In addition, the damaged area swells, bruises appear, mobility decreases;
- dislocations, which are observed in rare cases and occur with a strong tear in 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 spine are overloaded, causing strains and possible rupture.
Pain in the left shoulder blade area on the back caused by trauma occurs immediately after the injury and disappears only 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 processes in the intervertebral discs of the spine) is spontaneous, can be aching and pulling. An increase in pain is observed when a person remains in a sitting position for a long time and during physical exertion. Taking medications does not bring relief.
A pinched and inflamed intercostal nerve becomes the cause of unbearable pain in the sternum, in the area where it flows. The syndrome intensifies during the movement of a person, when he coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply, changes the position of his body. Permanent or paroxysmal pain syndrome has a sharp, strong and stabbing character. Sometimes the pain occurs in the heart region, in the lower back, and is reflected in the neck and arms. It can also affect the shoulder blade.
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 of the shoulder tendon and shoulder joint capsule without directly damaging the joint and cartilage (periarthritis), pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone same. They differ in sharpness and amplification at night. The disease is accompanied by a slight swelling of the shoulder, an increase in temperature within 37-37, 4 ºС, limitation of circular movements of the shoulder. Pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a result 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, radiates to the shoulder blade, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the shoulder blade area occurs due to physical exertion or impact on the bone.
Pain in a malignant lesion of the bone structure or soft tissues refers to the initial manifestation of the disease. At first, they do not differ in intensity and appear periodically, which complicates the 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 eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics. In addition, the bone is deformed, the surrounding tissues swell, the skin above 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 shoulder blade and muscle area, which subside when the abscess is opened.
Consider! Painful manifestations below or above the left shoulder blade and in the bone area are inherent in congenital anomalies. These include aplasia (lack of an organ), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), pterygoid scapula, Sprengel's disease. At the same time, a person often suffers from a cosmetic defect and limited physical activity.
Disc herniation and protrusion of the discs of the cervical spine lead to compression of the nerve roots by the bone formations, which causes 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 middle or left, with expansion to the upper body, signals a myocardial infarction. At the same time, there may be a strong burning sensation under the left shoulder blade from behind from behind. It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome. It can be sore or acute.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina pectoris, characterized by chest pains from pressure or compression, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm, and lower jaw. In this case, blood pressure can rise, sweat and paleness appear.
Attacks of angina usually occur in stressful situations or from increased physical exertion. They are stopped by nitroglycerin. When the duration of the pain syndrome exceeds 20 minutes or medications do not provide relief, a myocardial infarction is suspected.
Hypertension or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysm (enlargement) or dissection of the aorta (incomplete rupture or tearing of the endothelium, followed by the diffusion 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 dull pain in their back. Exfoliating aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture. With a tear, the painful sensation is sharp and short-term. It affects the chest and back, leading to a reflex decrease in blood pressure and fainting. After a certain period of time, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, under the left shoulder blade. The syndrome is not amenable to elimination with the help of available drugs. In such a condition, a lethal outcome is very possible, therefore urgent medical attention is required.
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.
Disorders 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. In addition, 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 faint 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 in the thoracic region is observed, in some cases with irradiation to the scapula. Pathology is accompanied by cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath, lack of air when 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 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 a cough of a different nature.
The onset 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 shoulder blade 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 after.
Perforated ulcers cause acute unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Failure to care for the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease leads to acute intoxication and can result in patient death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper, middle or left side of the abdomen. In some cases, they give away under the shoulder blade. 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 pain under the left shoulder blade. In such cases, delaying treatment can cost the patient his life.
In addition, esophageal spasm, calculous cholecystitis, gastroegophagitis and reflux can be responsible for pain in the left shoulder blade.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In any case, the specialist asks the patient about the accompanying manifestations, palpates the painful area, finds out blood pressure and heart rate stability in order to exclude pathological processes that may require urgent intervention.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited. If the back hurts for a long time for no reason, it is necessary to visit a therapist who, according to the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
An accurate determination of the causes of the pathology is carried out using:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- urine analysis;
- radiography for any problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiograms to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data obtained by radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain occurs, and then sends a referral to a narrow profile doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neuropathologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important! For pain under the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis. Pain medication should only be prescribed 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 shoulder blade area, you should take care of your health and, if a negative symptom occurs, immediately seek help from a specialist.