Pain under the left shoulder blade from behind from 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 exposure to an uncomfortable position for the body to serious pathologies of the body.
A little anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the chest in the back in the area from the 2nd to 7th ribs.It performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The scapula connects the girdle of the upper extremities with the arms and the 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 parts of the skeleton, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured;their functions also extend to the lower limbs.The bone is equipped with nerve roots that originate from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The reasons behind pain in the left side shoulder blade area are quite varied.There may be pain;
- sore;
- like a dull pain;
- with greater intensity;
- sharp, when it takes your breath away;
- Pull;
- burn;
- permanent, not transitory;
- piercing (low back pain);
- pressing;
- button;
- punctual.
Important!Often the cause of pain is prolonged stay of the body in an uncomfortable position, as well as muscle strain due to physical activity.They go away on their own and usually do not require medical intervention.
Prolonged pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, makes consultation with a specialist necessary.Acute pain in the left shoulder blade area 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 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 caused by various injuries:
- fractures and cracks caused by impacts, falls, road accidents, etc.Aching pain intensifies when a person makes movements.Additionally, the damaged area swells, a bruise appears, 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, moves and takes on an anomalous position.Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the shoulder blade and spine are subjected to excessive stress, causing strains and possible tears.
Pain in the left shoulder blade area on the back caused by an injury occurs immediately after the injury and disappears only with the patient's recovery.
In addition to injuries, pain in the scapula area from the back is often caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Pain syndrome under the shoulder blade, which is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (dystrophic-degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs of the spine), is spontaneous and can be aching and pulling.Increased 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 causes unbearable pain in the sternum in the area where it is located.The syndrome intensifies when a person moves, when he coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply and changes body position.Constant or paroxysmal pain syndrome is acute, strong, excruciating in nature.Sometimes the pain occurs 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 pectoris and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
When there is inflammation of the shoulder tendon and shoulder joint capsule without damage to the joint and the cartilage itself (humeral periarthritis), the pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone itself.They are sharp and intensified at night.The disease is accompanied by slight swelling of the shoulder, a high temperature between 37 and 37.4ºС 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.
In inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), caused by excessive strain or infection, intense pain affects the entire cervicobrachial region, radiating to the scapula, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapula 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, especially at night.Not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics.Subsequently, the bone deforms, the surrounding tissues swell, 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, staphylococcus, salmonella, E. coli and other infectious agents, the patient is exposed to high fever, chills and increased heart rate.Back pain in the scapula and muscles is complained of, which decreases when the abscess opens.
Please note!Painful manifestations under or above the left scapula and in the bone area are inherent in congenital anomalies.These include aplasia (absence of an organ), hypoplasia (poor bone development), pterygoid scapula, and Sprengel 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 bone formations, which causes pain during movement, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain under the left shoulder blade is often the result of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Retrosternal pain in the central or left side, with extension to the upper part of the body, signals 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 occur acutely.
The lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an angina attack, characterized by pressing or crushing retrosternal pain, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm and lower jaw.At the same time, blood pressure may increase, sweating and paleness may appear.
Angina attacks usually occur in stressful situations or following 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 myocardial infarction can be assumed.
Hypertension or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysm (enlargement) or dissection of the aorta (rupture or incomplete laceration of the endothelium resulting in diffusion of blood between the layers of the vascular wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way.As they increase, a person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.A dissecting aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture.When a tear occurs, the pain sensation is sharp and short-lived.It affects the chest and back, causing 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 cannot be eliminated using available drugs.In this condition, death is very likely, so urgent medical attention is needed.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- ischemia – lack of blood flow 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-vascular dystonia.The disease is characterized by numerous manifestations, including pain under the left shoulder blade, similar to pain in the heart.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 in nature, intensifying during movement or with deep breathing.Associated symptoms include fever at critical levels, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.
When necrotic cavities form 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 cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath and lack of air when 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 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 coughing of various types.
The onset 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 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 fasting.They can appear immediately after eating or later.
Perforated ulcers cause acute unbearable pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.Failure to provide care to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the disease leads to acute intoxication and can cause the patient's death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper, middle, or left abdomen.In some cases they extend under the shoulder blade.The pathology causes nausea, vomiting, bloating and other digestive system disorders.
Some injuries cause the spleen to rupture.This does not lead to immediate internal bleeding, but causes a dull ache under the left shoulder blade.In these cases, delaying treatment can cost the patient's life.
Additionally, esophageal spasm, calculous 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 concomitant manifestations, palpates the painful area, detects blood pressure and stability of the heart rhythm in order to exclude pathological processes that may require urgent intervention.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited.If your back hurts for no reason for a long time, you need to visit a therapist who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for a special diagnosis.
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 organs;
- electrocardiograms to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient data obtained from radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected gastrointestinal tract pathologies.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain occurs, and then refers to a specialized doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important!For 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 to eliminate 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 blades, you should take care of your health and if a negative symptom occurs, immediately seek help from a specialist.