Pain under the left shoulder blade at the back can occur due to sudden movement, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, sitting or lying down.But in this case, it quickly passes by itself.If the pain syndrome lasts for a long time, becomes sharp, stabbing or cutting, and painkillers do not help, then you should urgently consult a doctor.Such pain under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back indicates pathology and may be severe.The patient needs immediate treatment, which depends not only on the nature of the pain, but also on the cause of its occurrence.
The main causes of pain under the left shoulder blade
There are many causes of pain, but they can all be divided into 2 groups:
- Pain associated with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.Pain under the left scapula can be caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic region, intercostal neuralgia, osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, injuries of the scapula, fracture or crack of ribs, myofascial or scapulocostal syndrome, glenohumeral periarthritis.
- Pain that occurs due to diseases of the internal organs.Pain under the left shoulder blade can be a symptom of heart disease, bronchopulmonary system, gall bladder, stomach ulcer, spasm of the esophagus, exacerbation of pancreatitis.
Rare pathologies that cause pain radiating to the scapula include rupture of the spleen.This pathology requires immediate surgical treatment, as massive abdominal bleeding occurs with the risk of death.
No less dangerous for the body is back pain on the left under the shoulder blade, which develops against the background of heart diseases:
- dissection of the aneurysm of the ascending aorta;
- coronary heart disease;
- angina pectoris;
- pericarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis;
- myocardial infarction.
Pain in the left scapula behind that radiates to the arm and chest area may indicate heart disease.Numbness of the limb often occurs.Depending on the disease, accompanying symptoms appear: lack of air, compression of the throat, compression of the chest, a feeling of cardiac arrest.
Let's take a closer look at the main causes of pain under the shoulder blade on the left back.
Gallbladder diseases
With cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, heaviness appears on the right side, pain radiating under the scapula to the left.An acute attack of inflammation of the gallbladder causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting and an increase in body temperature.If it is provoked by obstruction of the bile ducts by a stone, the pain syndrome manifests itself as biliary colic.
In chronic inflammation, the nature of the pain is painful.Unpleasant sensations appear after eating fatty foods, with long pauses between meals.
Recurrences of attacks can occur after physical or nervous exertion, against the background of stress.
Subdiaphragmatic abscess
This is an accumulation of pus under the diaphragm.Most often, an abscess is formed on the right side, but left localization is also possible.The pathology is manifested by the following symptoms:
- pain in left side, radiating from under scapula to sternum;
- sharp pain in the chest that intensifies when breathing in;
- high body temperature;
- hiccups;
- increased sweating;
- non-productive cough;
- dyspnea.
Without treatment, the disease can cause empyema, pneumonia and lung abscess.
Bronchopulmonary diseases
Diseases of the lower respiratory tract (bronchi, lungs and pleura) cause pain both in the chest and in the scapula, which are always complemented by a specific bronchopulmonary clinical picture:
- increased body temperature;
- weakness, lethargy;
- difficulty breathing;
- chest pain (usually from the affected lung) of moderate intensity that worsens when coughing or inhaling;
- cough;
- wheezing.
The syndrome of pain in the back of the back in the area of the left scapula most often occurs with pneumonia, dry pleurisy, pneumothorax, acute bronchitis or abscess of the left lung.
Kidney diseases
Scapular pain can occur due to problems with the right kidney, as it is located near the shoulder blade.In case of inflammation, formation of purulent infiltrates or stones, the pain is often localized on the right, but it can also radiate to the left.The pain is often dull or aching, but can also be sharp.It is paroxysmal, ascending, i.e.rising from the lower back, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Problems with the spine and related neurological disorders are the main cause of back pain in the area of the left scapula.Pain can occur with any movement, turning the body, sneezing, breathing or taking a deep breath.They may radiate into the hand, accompanied by crunching and limited mobility.
Pain in the scapula area often occurs due to the following diseases:
- cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis;
- herniated intervertebral discs;
- protrusion;
- scoliosis;
- radiculitis.
Against the background of degenerative processes in the spine, not only blood vessels and nerve endings are pressed, but also muscle spasm.Muscle spasm provokes the appearance of scapular-costal syndrome.
One of the most common causes of pain in the scapula is cervical osteochondrosis.Initially, the pain syndrome is weak, but with the onset of degenerative changes, it becomes sharp and piercing.The pain is accompanied by vertigo, tinnitus, blurred vision and increased blood pressure.
Less common diseases of the musculoskeletal system that can provoke pain in the scapula include osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis and malignant neoplasms.
Muscle tension and inflammation
The back muscles that surround the scapula keep the spine in an anatomically correct position and protect the internal organs located nearby.Their inflammation or injury is not only accompanied by pain, but also provokes a decrease in muscle tone and the appearance of instability in the shoulder.
Intercostal neuralgia
The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the intercostal nerves and appears against the background of the following provoking factors:
- injuries to the ribs or spine;
- hypothermia;
- excessive physical activity;
- osteochondrosis.
The intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the severity of the pathology and the timeliness of the treatment.The pain may be excruciating, but sometimes it hurts so much that you can't stand it.
It is important to contact a neurologist in time, who will provide qualified and, most importantly, timely help, otherwise intercostal neuralgia will cause a person serious discomfort:
- the pain acquires a shooting, cutting character;
- pain increases when moving the hand, coughing or breathing;
- numbness occurs in the affected area of the body;
- the heart rhythm is disturbed.
Diseases or injuries of the scapula
Cracks and fractures of the scapula, glenohumeral arthritis are accompanied by pain, limitation of movement, damage to blood vessels and pinching of nerve endings.
Injuries to the scapula are more common in athletes, patients with osteoporosis and bone cancer.
Types of pain under the shoulder blade on the left
Before proceeding with diagnosis and treatment, it is important to understand the nature, localization, intensity of pain, their relationship with movement, breathing and nutrition.If it hurts under the left shoulder blade after eating, then heart pathologies and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be ruled out.The cause of the pain is diseases of the gall bladder, pancreas and stomach.
The nature of the pain syndrome can be dangerous, sharp, burning, increasing, painful, dull, sharp.
Pain in left shoulder blade
It can be permanent or periodic, which indicates both pathologies of internal organs and diseases of the spine.Without treatment, it can turn into a stabbing, burning sensation.Attacks more often occur when raising a hand, physical activity or a long time in one position.
It occurs in scoliosis, chronic cholecystitis, scapular-costal syndrome, herniated intervertebral discs, initial stages of cervical osteochondrosis, bruises and other minor injuries, intercostal neuralgia.
Sharp pain under left shoulder blade
This is a syndrome of severe pain in the back below the shoulder blade that restricts movement and makes breathing difficult.Characteristic of myocardial infarction, bursitis of the shoulder joint, exacerbation of osteochondrosis, spondylosis, hernia, subphrenal abscess, pleurisy, acute cholecystitis, intercostal neuralgia.
Sharp pain in the area of the left shoulder blade
It can come on suddenly or be the result of prolonged pain.Shooting, sharp pain is a sign of osteochondrosis, hernia, trauma, intercostal neuralgia, tuberculosis of the scapula, aneurysm of the aorta, perforated gastric ulcer, radiculitis.
Piercing pain behind left shoulder blade
It manifests itself as lumbago, characteristic of pinched nerve endings in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.If it is accompanied by chest compression and lack of air, then myocardial infarction or lung abscess cannot be ruled out.
Piercing pain in left side of back below scapula
Inherent in most pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as bronchopulmonary diseases.
Constant pain on the left side under the shoulder blade
Such pain does not leave the patient even in a lying position.It interferes with sleep, breathing and walking.More often, the pain increases with physical activity, coughing and sneezing.
Constant excruciating or painful pain occurs due to injuries of the spine or scapula, scapulohybular syndrome, bronchopulmonary diseases, pyelonephritis and oncology.Pain in the belt with disorders of the digestive system is characteristic of patients with acute pancreatitis.
Burning pain on the left side of the scapula
This is simply unbearable and occurs with intercostal neuralgia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, muscle strain.
important!If the burning sensation that spreads to the sternum is accompanied by shortness of breath, you should immediately call an ambulance.This is a sign of a heart attack.
How to relieve pain under the left shoulder blade
Sensations of pain under the shoulder blade on the left, especially if they are quite intense, interfere with movement and free breathing, require qualified help, as they pose a threat to human health and life.You cannot ignore them and self-medicate.Taking analgesics, antispasmodics and other pain relievers can relieve the pain, but will not eliminate the cause, which must be found by a doctor.
important!Emergency help will be needed in case of severe pain with increasing intensity and rapid deterioration of well-being.
Which doctor should I see for pain under the left shoulder blade?
At the first painful sensation in the area of the scapula, you should consult a specialist and undergo diagnostics.Since the nature of back pain is often neurological, you should make an appointment with a neurologist.
The doctor will conduct a visual examination, study the patient's complaints, compile a clinical picture: the nature and state of the pain syndrome (in a lying position, during movement), its intensity, accompanying symptoms.
To find out exactly why your back hurts, the doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- laboratory - clinical analysis of blood and urine, which will show the inflammatory process;
- instrumental, necessarily including MRI, since this diagnostic method provides the most accurate information about the condition of the spine, muscle tissue, nerve endings and blood vessels.
If the instrumental diagnosis reveals a pathology that is not within the competence of the neurologist, the doctor will refer the patient to a therapist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, traumatologist or other specialists.
Treatment of pain on the left side of the scapula
All therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the main cause and relieving pain.The doctor chooses drugs based on why the pain in the shoulder blade area occurs.
If the cause is a disease of the musculoskeletal system or its complications, then drug therapy looks like this:
- anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesics;
- local anesthetics.
Drug therapy should be supplemented with physiotherapy treatment, massage and therapeutic exercises.
If conservative therapy does not provide the desired therapeutic effect, the patient is indicated for surgery.
When it is important which side the pain in the scapula is on: right or left
Heart diseases, especially severe ones such as myocardial infarction, present with left-sided symptoms.The situation is similar with injuries and rupture of the spleen.These pathologies can lead to the death of the patient, so localization of pain is extremely important.
Remember that self-medication can only worsen your health condition and contribute to the development of complications.If there is constant discomfort in the area of the left shoulder blade, professional help is needed.