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 various reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position for the body to severe pathology in the body.
A little anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the ribs from the back in the area from ribs II to VII. Performs binding, protecting, strengthening and motor functions.
The shoulder blades connect the upper limb girdle with the arms and sternum. It 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 joint. Thanks to these skeletal parts, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured, its function extends even to the lower limbs. The bone is supplied with nerve roots originating in the cervicothoracic region.
Welding
The causes of pain in the shoulder blade on the left side are quite varied. Painful sensations are possible;
- pain;
- such a dull ache;
- with increasing intensity;
- hard when you inhale your breath;
- attract;
- combustion;
- remain, not pass;
- stab (lumbago);
- oppress;
- throbbing;
- 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 on their own and, as a rule, do not require medical intervention.
Long -term pain syndrome, as well as its systemic nature, makes consultation with a specialist a necessity. Acute pain in the area of the left scapula requires immediate medical attention, because such factors do 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 behind is often the result of injury, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and pathology of internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathology of the musculoskeletal system is provoked by various injuries:
- cracks and fissures caused by impacts, falls, road accidents, etc. The excruciating pain increases when a person makes a movement. Also, the damaged area swells, bruises appear, mobility is reduced;
- dislocation, which is observed in rare cases and occurs with a loud scream for the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade. In this case, the bone rotates, shifts, takes an abnormal position. The bottom edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula and spine are overly stressed, causing strain with the possibility of rupture.
Pain in 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 scapular area from the back is often caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Pain syndrome below the scapula, which is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (a dystrophic-degenerative process in the intervertebral disc of the spine) is spontaneous, can be painful and exciting. An increase in pain is observed when a person remains in a sitting position for a long time and while doing physical exercise. Taking medication does not bring relief.
The pinched and inflamed intercostal nerve becomes a cause of unbearable pain in the sternum, in the area where it runs. The syndrome worsens during a person's movement, when he coughs, sneezes, takes deep breaths, changes the position of his body. Permanent or paroxysmal pain syndrome is a sharp, strong, shooting feature. Sometimes the pain manifests itself in the heart area, 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 of the shoulder tendons and capsule of the shoulder joint without directly damaging the joint and cartilage (periarthritis), pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blade and the bone itself. They differ in sharpness and amplification at night. The disease is accompanied by slight swelling of the shoulders, an increase in temperature in 37-37. 4 ºС, limit of circular movement of the shoulder. The pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a result of injuries, bruises, increased pressure on the shoulder joint.
With inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), which is provoked by excessive energy or infection, severe pain affects the entire cervical area, radiating to the scapula, occipital area, and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapular area is shown to be the result of physical strain or impact on the bones.
Pain in malignant lesions on bone or soft tissue structures refers to the early manifestations of the disease. Initially, 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, especially at night. Not eliminated by non -narcotic analgesics. Further, the bone becomes deformed, the surrounding tissue swells, the skin above the malignant focus changes, fractures occur that are not associated with injury.
With the presence of inflammatory processes in the bones (osteomyelitis) caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, salmonella, Escherichia coli and other infectious agents, patients are prone to high temperature, chills, and increased heart rate. There are complaints of back pain in the scapula and muscle area, which diminishes when the abscess is opened.
Consider! Painful manifestations below or above the left scapula and in the bone area are present in congenital anomalies. These include aplasia (organ deficiency), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), pterygoid scapula, Sprengel’s disease. At the same time, a person often suffers from cosmetic defects and limited physical activity.
Herniated discs and protrusion of cervical spinal discs lead to compression of nerve roots by bone formation, which causes pain during movement, especially when the head is tilted.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain below the left shoulder blade is often caused by cardiovascular problems.
Chest pain in the middle or to the left, with expansion to the upper body, indicates myocardial infarction. At the same time, there may be a strong burning sensation under the left shoulder blade from behind from behind. It is not possible to characterize pain syndrome clearly. It can be painful, or it can manifest in an acute form.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina pectoris, characterized by pressing or squeezing chest pain, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm, and lower jaw. In this case, blood pressure may rise, sweat and pallor appear.
Angina attacks usually occur in stressful situations or from increased physical energy. They are stopped by nitroglycerin. When the duration of the pain syndrome exceeds 20 minutes or the medication does not provide relief, myocardial infarction is suspected.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysms (enlargement) or aortic dissection (incomplete rupture or tear of the endothelium, followed by the spread of blood between the layers of the duct wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way. As they rise, the person begins to feel a dull ache in the back. Exfoliating aneurysms are characterized by a clear clinical picture. With a tear, the painful sensation is sharp and short -lived. It affects the chest and back, leading to a decrease in blood pressure reflex and fainting. After a certain period of time, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, under the left shoulder blade. This syndrome cannot be eliminated with the help of available medications. In such cases, a fatal outcome is very likely, therefore immediate medical treatment is required.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- ischemia - lack of blood supply to the heart;
- pericarditis - an inflammatory process in the pericardium;
- endocarditis - an inflammatory disease of the inner lining of the heart;
- myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.
Disorders in the autonomic nervous system cause vegetative dystonia. The disease is characterized by many manifestations, including pain syndrome under the left shoulder blade, similar to the heart. In addition, a person experiences 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 is a weak chest pain or under the left shoulder blade - a dull, painful character, aggravated during movement or with deep breathing. Simultaneous symptoms include an increase in temperature to a critical value, 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 area, in some cases with irradiation 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 carried out on the basis of the following symptoms: acute chest pain, sometimes radiating under the scapula, fever, shortness of breath, tuberculosis and other manifestations.
Important! Almost all diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by pain, are characterized by different coughs.
The onset of pain below the left shoulder blade may also be due to acute bronchitis, tracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
Gastrointestinal tract
Pain in the left scapular area often exists in gastrointestinal tract pathology and requires immediate medical intervention.
For ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum, paroxysmal pain is characteristic. Prolonged starvation caused them. They can appear immediately after a meal or later.
Perforated ulcers cause unbearable acute pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Failure to provide assistance to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease leads to acute intoxication and can result in the death of the patient.
Inflammation of the pancreas in its acute form causes pain in the upper, middle or left part of the abdomen. In some cases, they give 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 does cause a dull ache under the left shoulder blade. In such cases, delay of treatment can result in the death of the patient.
In addition, esophageal spasm, calculus cholecystitis, gastroegophagitis and reflux can cause pain in the left shoulder blade.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In each case, the specialist asks the patient about the accompanying manifestations, groping the painful area, knowing blood pressure and heart rate stability to exclude pathological processes that may require immediate action.
Self -diagnosis is strictly prohibited. If the back hurts for no reason for a long time, it is necessary to visit a therapist who, according to the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
Accurate determination of the pathological cause is carried out using:
- general blood and biochemical tests;
- urine analysis;
- radiography for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiogram to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data obtained by radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected disease of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain is manifested, then provides referral to a narrow-profile physician (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 a reliable diagnosis. Painkillers should be prescribed only by a specialist as part of a comprehensive treatment.
There is no universal cure for pain under the left shoulder blade. When the patient recovers, the negative symptoms will gradually disappear. Therapy aims to eliminate 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 negative symptoms occur, seek immediate help from a specialist.