Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back from the back occurs in all age groups of the population, both young children and the elderly.
This fact is due to a huge range of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position for the body to severe pathologies in the body.
A bit of anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the ribcage from the back in the region from the II to VII ribs. Performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The shoulder blade connects the girdle of the upper limbs with the arms and sternum. It protects the shoulder joint, protects the lungs and the aorta from mechanical stress. Certain muscles extending from the shoulder blades are designed to strengthen and support the joints of the shoulders. Thanks to these parts of the skeleton, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured, their functions extend even to the lower limbs. The bone is supplied with nerve roots emanating from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The underlying causes of pain in the shoulder blades on the left side are quite varied. Painful sensations may be;
- aching;
- like dull pains;
- with increased intensity;
- harsh when you catch your breath;
- pulling;
- burning;
- permanent, not passing;
- 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 go away 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 necessity. Acute pain in the region of the left scapula requires urgent medical attention, becausethe 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 internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are provoked by various injuries:
- fractures and cracks caused by impacts, falls, traffic accidents, etc. Aching pain intensifies when a person makes movements. Also, the damaged area swells, bruises appear, mobility decreases;
- dislocations, which are observed in rare cases and occur with a strong jerk for the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade. In this case, the bone rotates, displaces, takes an abnormal position. Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles connecting the scapula and spine are overstressed, causing stretching with possible rupture.
Pain in the left shoulder blade on the back caused by trauma occurs immediately after injury and only goes away as 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.
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. Increased pain is observed when a person stays in a sitting position for a long time and during physical exertion. Taking medications does not bring relief.
A pinched, inflamed intercostal nerve becomes the cause of unbearable pain in the sternum, in the area where it runs. The syndrome intensifies during the movement of a person, when he coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply, changes his body position. Permanent or paroxysmal pain syndrome is of a sharp, strong, shooting character. Sometimes soreness 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 cardiac problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris, pleurisy. Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
With inflammation in the tendon of the shoulder and the capsule of the shoulder joint without directly damaging the joint and cartilage (periarthritis), 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 slight swelling of the shoulder, increased temperature within 37–37. 4 ºС, limitation of circular movements of the shoulder. 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, radiates to the scapula, occipital region, arms.
Muscle pain in the area of the scapula is manifested as a result of physical strain or impact on the bone.
Pain in a malignant lesion of the 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. Are not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics. Further, 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, staphylococcus, salmonella, E. 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 is opened.
Consider! Painful manifestations under or above the left scapula and in the area of the bone 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.
Herniated discs and protrusion of the cervical spine discs lead to compression of the nerve roots by bone formations, which causes pain during movement, especially when the head is tilted.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain below 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, signals 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 aching, or it can manifest itself in an acute form.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina pectoris, characterized by pressing or squeezing chest pains, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm, and lower jaw. In this case, blood pressure can increase, perspiration and pallor appear.
Angina attacks 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 the drugs do not provide relief, a myocardial infarction is suspected.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to 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 pain in the 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 reflexive 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 medicines. In such a condition, a lethal outcome is very possible, therefore urgent medical attention is needed.
Pain below the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- ischemia - a 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.
Disturbances in 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 impairments, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory system
Painful sensations under the left shoulder blade are not excluded with respiratory diseases.
With left-sided pneumonia, there are weak chest pains or under the left shoulder blade - a dull, aching character, aggravated by movement or with deep breathing. Concomitant symptoms include an increase 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 irradiation to the scapula. Pathology is accompanied by a cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath, lack of air during breathing.
Diagnosis of left-sided pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is carried out on the basis of the following symptoms: acute chest pain, sometimes radiating under 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 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 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 starvation causes them. They can appear immediately after a meal or later.
Perforated ulcers cause acute unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Failure to provide assistance to the patient within 12 hours from the onset of the disease entails acute intoxication and can cause death of the patient.
Inflammation of the pancreas in acute form provokes pain in the upper, middle or left side of the abdomen. In some cases, they give away under the scapula. 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 it causes 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 guilty of pain in the left shoulder blade.
Diagnostic methods, 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 in order 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, according to 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;
- radiography for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiograms to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data obtained with radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain is manifested, then gives a referral to a narrow-profile doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neuropathologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important! For pain below the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent reliable diagnosis. Pain relief drugs 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 should take care of your health and, if a negative symptom occurs, immediately seek help from a specialist.