Pain under the left shoulder blade from behind occurs in all age groups of the population, both in young children and in the elderly.
This fact is due to a variety of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged exposure to a posture that is uncomfortable for the body to serious diseases of the body.
A little anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone that borders the chest at the back in the area of the 2nd to 7th ribs.Performs binding, 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 that extend from the shoulder blades are intended to strengthen and support the shoulder joints.Thanks to these skeletal parts, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured;Their functions even extend to the lower limbs.The bone is equipped with nerve roots that originate from the cervical spine.
Classification
The reasons for pain in the shoulder blade area on the left side are very diverse.There may be pain;
- Pains;
- like a dull pain;
- with increased intensity;
- sharp when it takes your breath away;
- pull;
- Combustion;
- permanent, not temporary;
- piercing (lumbago);
- press;
- pulsating;
- selectively.
Important!Often the cause of pain is a long 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 persistent pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, requires consultation with a specialist.Acute pain in the area of the left shoulder blade requires urgent medical intervention because... the factor does not exclude the manifestation of angina pectoris, exacerbation of stomach ulcers or activation of inflammatory processes in the pancreas.
Pain in the lower part of the left shoulder blade from behind is often a consequence of injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and diseases of internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are caused by various injuries:
- Breaks and cracks caused by impacts, falls, traffic accidents, etc.The aching pain increases when a person makes movements.In addition, the damaged area swells, bruises and mobility decreases;
- Dislocations, which are observed in rare cases and occur when there is a strong pull on the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade.In this case, the bone rotates, shifts and assumes an abnormal position.Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula and spine are subjected to excessive stress, which can lead to stretching and possible rupture.
Injury-related pain in the area of the left shoulder blade on the back occurs immediately after the injury and only disappears as the patient recovers.
In addition to injuries, pain in the shoulder blade area from behind 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), occurs spontaneously and can be painful and pulling.Increased pain is observed when a person remains in a sitting position for a long time and engages in physical exertion.Taking medication does not bring any relief.
A pinched, inflamed intercostal nerve causes excruciating pain in the area of the sternum where it lies.The syndrome worsens when a person moves, coughs, sneezes, takes deep breaths, and changes posture.Constant or paroxysmal pain syndrome is sharp, strong, stabbing in nature.Sometimes pain manifests itself in the heart area, lower back and affects the neck and arms.It can also affect the shoulder blade.
The manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to the symptoms caused by heart problems, cholecystitis, angina and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
When inflammation of the shoulder tendon and the capsule of the shoulder joint occurs without damaging the joint and cartilage itself (humeral periarthritis), pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone itself. It is sharp and intensified at night.The disease is associated with mild swelling of the shoulder, elevated temperature in the range of 37-37.4 ° C and limited circular movements of the shoulder.The pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a result of injuries, bruises and increased load on the shoulder joint.
With inflammation of the neck muscles (myositis) caused by overuse or infection, severe pain affects the entire neck-arm region and radiates to the shoulder blade, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the shoulder blade area occurs due to physical stress or impacts on the bone.
Pain due to malignant lesions of the bone structure or soft tissue refers to the initial manifestation of the disease.Initially, they do not differ in intensity and occur 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.Not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics.Next, the bone deforms, the surrounding tissue swells, the skin over the malignant focus changes, and fractures not associated with trauma 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 fever, chills and increased heart rate.There are complaints of back pain in the shoulder blade and muscles, which subside when the abscess opens.
Please note!Congenital anomalies are associated with painful manifestations below or above the left scapula and in the bone area.These include aplasia (absence of an organ), hypoplasia (inadequate bone development), pterygoid scapula, and Sprengel disease.At the same time, people often suffer from cosmetic defects and limited motor activity.
Intervertebral hernias and protrusions of the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine lead to compression of the nerve roots by bone formations, which leads to pain during movements, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain below the left shoulder blade is often the result of problems in the cardiovascular system.
Substernal pain in the central part or on the left, spreading to the upper body, indicates myocardial infarction.At the same time, a strong burning sensation can be observed under the left shoulder blade from behind.It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome.It can be painful or manifest itself in an acute form.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium leads to an attack of angina pectoris, which is characterized by pressing or squeezing retrosternal pain, often radiating to the left scapula, arm and lower jaw.At the same time, an increase in blood pressure, sweating and paleness can occur.
Angina pectoris attacks usually occur in stressful situations or during increased physical activity.You will be treated with nitroglycerin.If the pain lasts longer than 20 minutes or medication does not provide relief, it can be assumed that you have a heart attack.
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 are not noticeable in any way.As they increase, a person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.A dissection 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 and causes a reflex drop in blood pressure and fainting.After a certain period of time, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arms, neck and under the left shoulder blade.The syndrome cannot be eliminated with available medications.In this condition, death is very likely and urgent medical attention is required.
Pain below 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.
Disturbances in the autonomic nervous system cause vegetative-vascular dystonia.The disease is characterized by numerous manifestations, including pain under the left shoulder blade, similar to heart pain.In addition, the person suffers from irritability, memory impairment, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory organs
Pain under the left shoulder blade is not excluded due to respiratory diseases.
With left-sided pneumonia, mild pain is observed in the chest or under the left shoulder blade - dull, aching nature, which increases with movement or with deep breathing.Associated symptoms include fever reaching critical levels, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.
When necrotic cavities form in the left lung, which are accompanied by inflammatory processes and pus formation, pain is observed in the chest area, which partially radiates to the shoulder blade.The pathology is accompanied by cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath and lack of air when breathing.
Diagnosis of left-sided pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is based on the following symptoms: acute chest pain that partially radiates under the shoulder blade, fever, shortness of breath, dry cough and other manifestations.
Important!Almost all respiratory diseases that are accompanied by pain are characterized by coughs 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 left shoulder blade area is often associated with diseases 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 fasting.They can occur immediately after eating or later.
Perforated ulcers cause acute, unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. If assistance is not provided to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease, acute intoxication will occur and may result in the patient's death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas leads to pain in the upper, middle or left abdominal area.In some cases they extend below the shoulder blade.The pathology causes nausea, vomiting, flatulence 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 pain under the left shoulder blade.In such cases, delay in treatment can cost the patient his life.
In addition, esophageal spasm, calcific cholecystitis, gastroesophagitis, and reflux are responsible for pain in the left scapula area.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In any case, the specialist asks the patient about accompanying symptoms, palpates the painful area, determines blood pressure and the stability of the heart rhythm in order to exclude pathological processes that may require urgent action.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited.If your back hurts for no reason for a long time, you need to see a therapist who, based on 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;
- urinalysis;
- X-rays for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory system;
- Electrocardiograms to rule out heart disease;
- Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data from radiography;
- Fibrogastroduodenoscopy if diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are suspected.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain manifests itself, and then refers a specialist (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important!In the case of pain below the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis.Pain-relieving medicines should only be prescribed by a specialist as part of a comprehensive treatment.
There is no panacea to eliminate pain under the left shoulder blade.As the patient recovers, the negative symptoms gradually disappear.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and includes various methods.
To avoid pain in the shoulder blades, you should pay attention to your health and, if a negative symptom occurs, immediately consult a specialist.