Pain under the left shoulder blade behind the back occurs in all age categories of the population, both in young children and in the elderly.
This fact is due to a huge range of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position for the body to severe pathologies in the body.
A bit of anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone attached to the ribcage posteriorly in the area from the 2nd to the 7th rib.Performs connecting, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The scapula connects the girdle of the upper limbs to the arms and sternum.It protects the shoulder joint and protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress.Certain muscles extending from the shoulder blades are designed to strengthen and support the shoulder joints.Thanks to these parts of the skeleton, mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured;their functions extend even to the lower limbs.The bone is provided with nerve roots emerging from the cervico-thoracic region.
Classification
The causes of pain in the area of the shoulder blades on the left side are quite diverse.There may be pain;
- pains;
- like dull pain;
- with increased intensity;
- sharp when it takes your breath away;
- pulling;
- burning;
- constant, not passing;
- piercing (lumbago);
- pressing;
- pulsating;
- pointwise.
important!Often the cause of the pain is the 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.
The syndrome of prolonged pain, as well as its systemic nature, makes consultation with a specialist necessary.Acute pain in the area of the left scapula requires urgent medical intervention, because... the factor does not exclude the manifestation of angina pectoris, exacerbation of gastric ulcer or activation of inflammatory processes in the pancreas.
Pain affecting the lower part of the left scapula from the back is often a consequence 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.The pain intensifies when a person makes movements.Also, the damaged area swells, a bruise appears and mobility decreases;
- dislocations, which are observed in rare cases and occur with a strong pull on the arm or a blow to the scapula.In this case, the bone rotates, shifts and takes an unusual position.Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles connecting the scapula to the spine are put under excessive stress, causing stretching and possible tearing.
Pain in the area of the left scapula of the back caused by an injury appears 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 and can be painful and pulling.Increased pain is observed when a person remains in a sitting position for a long time and during physical exertion.Taking medication does not bring relief.
A pinched, inflamed intercostal nerve causes excruciating pain in the sternum, in the area where it lies.The syndrome is aggravated when a person moves, coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply and changes the position of the body.The syndrome of constant or paroxysmal pain is sharp, strong, shooting in nature.Sometimes the pain manifests itself in the area of the heart, in the lower back and affects the neck and arms.It can also affect the scapula.
The manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to the symptoms caused by heart problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
With inflammation of the shoulder tendon and capsule of the shoulder joint without damage to the joint itself and cartilage (shoulder periarthritis), the pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone itself.They are sharp and intensify at night.The disease is accompanied by slight swelling of the shoulder, elevated temperature of the order of 37-37.4ºС and limited circular movements of the shoulder.The pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a consequence of injuries, bruises and increased loads on the shoulder joint.
In inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis) caused by overexertion or infection, severe pain affects the entire cervical-brachial region, radiating to the scapula, occiput and arms.
Muscle pain in the shoulder blade area occurs due to physical exertion or impact on the bone.
Pain due to malignant lesions of the bone structure or soft tissues refers to the initial manifestation of the disease.Initially, they do not differ in intensity and appear periodically, which makes timely diagnosis difficult.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.It is not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics.The bone then deforms, the surrounding tissue swells, the skin over the malignant focus changes, and non-traumatic fractures occur.
In the presence of an inflammatory process in the bone (osteomyelitis) caused by streptococci, staphylococci, salmonella, E. coli and other infectious agents, the patient is exposed to high temperature, chills and rapid pulse.There are complaints of back pain in the area of the scapula and muscles, which decrease when the abscess is opened.
Please pay attention!Painful manifestations below or above the left scapula and in the bone area are inherent in congenital anomalies.These include aplasia (absence of an organ), hypoplasia (underdevelopment of bones), pterygoid scapula, and Sprengel's disease.At the same time, a person often suffers from cosmetic defects and limited motor activity.
Intervertebral hernia and protrusion of the discs of the cervical spine lead to compression of the nerve roots by bony formations, which causes pain when moving, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of problems in the cardiovascular system.
Substernal pain in the central part or on the left, with extension to the upper part of the body, signals a myocardial infarction.At the same time, a strong burning sensation can be observed under the left shoulder blade at the back.It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome.It can be painful or it can be acute.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina, 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 occur.
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 a myocardial infarction can be assumed.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysm (enlargement) or dissection of the aorta (incomplete rupture or rupture of the endothelium with subsequent spread of blood between the layers of the vessel wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way.As they increase, a person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.Dissecting aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture.When a tear occurs, the sensation of pain is sharp and short-lived.It affects the chest and back, causing a reflex drop in blood pressure and fainting.After some time, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, under the left shoulder blade.The syndrome cannot be eliminated with available drugs.In this condition, death is very possible, so 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 - inflammatory disease of the inner lining of the heart;
- myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.
Autonomic nervous system disorders cause vegetative-vascular dystonia.The disease is characterized by multiple manifestations, including pain under the left shoulder blade, similar to pain in the heart.In addition, a person suffers from irritability, memory impairment, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory organs
Pain under the left shoulder blade due to respiratory diseases is not excluded.
With left-sided pneumonia, there is a slight pain in the chest or under the left shoulder blade - dull, painful in nature, intensifying during movement or with deep breathing.Associated symptoms include high fever to critical levels, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.
With the formation of necrotic cavities in the left lung, accompanied by inflammatory processes and pus formation, pain is observed in the chest area, in some cases radiating to the scapula.The pathology is accompanied by a cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath and lack of air during breathing.
The diagnosis of left-sided pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is made based on the following symptoms: sharp chest pain, sometimes radiating below 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 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.
Ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum are characterized by paroxysmal pain.They are caused by prolonged starvation.They can appear immediately after a meal or later.
Perforated ulcers cause severe unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.Failure to provide assistance to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the illness leads to acute intoxication and may cause the patient's death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas provokes pain in the upper, middle or left part of the abdomen.In some cases, they extend below 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 cause immediate internal bleeding, but causes a dull ache under the left shoulder blade.In such cases, delay in treatment can cost the patient's life.
In addition, esophageal spasm, calculous cholecystitis, gastroesophagitis, and reflux are to blame for pain in the area of the left scapula.
Methods of diagnosis, treatment
In any case, the specialist questions the patient about the accompanying manifestations, palpates the painful area, establishes the blood pressure and the stability of the heart rhythm in order to rule out pathological processes that may require urgent action.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited.If your back hurts for no reason for a long time, you should visit a therapist who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
The exact determination of the causes of the pathology is carried out with the help of:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- urinalysis;
- X-rays for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiogram to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance with insufficient data obtained from radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy in case of suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain occurs, then gives a referral to a specialist doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
important!In pain under the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis.Medicines that relieve pain 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.When the patient recovers, the negative symptom will gradually disappear.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the main disease and includes various methods.
To avoid pain in the shoulder blades, you should take care of your health and if a negative symptom appears, immediately seek help from a specialist.