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 huge range of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position for the body to serious pathologies in the body.
A little anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the chest, at the back, in the area of the 2nd to 7th ribs.It performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The scapula connects the girdle of the upper limbs to the arms and sternum.Protects the shoulder joint and protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress.Certain muscles that extend from the shoulder blades are designed to strengthen and support the shoulder joints.Thanks to these parts of the skeleton, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is guaranteed;its functions extend even to the lower limbs.The bone is equipped with nerve roots that emanate from the cervicothoracic region.
Classification
The reasons underlying pain in the left shoulder blade region are quite varied.There may be pain;
- sore;
- like a dull pain;
- with greater intensity;
- sharp, when it takes your breath away;
- pulling;
- burn;
- permanent, not temporary;
- piercing (lumbago);
- pressing;
- pulsating;
- punctually.
Important!Often the cause of pain is 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.
Prolonged pain syndrome, as well as its systematic nature, make consultation with a specialist a necessity.Acute pain in the region 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 affecting the lower part of the left shoulder blade from behind 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.The intense pain intensifies when the person makes movements.In addition, 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, shifts and assumes an abnormal position.Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula and spine are subject to excessive stress, causing strain and possible rupture.
Pain in the left shoulder blade region of the back caused by injury occurs immediately after the injury and only disappears as the patient recovers.
In addition to injuries, pain in the shoulder blade region of the back 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), is spontaneous and can cause pain and pulling.Increased pain is observed when the person remains sitting for a long time and during physical exertion.Taking medication does not bring relief.
A compressed and inflamed intercostal nerve causes excruciating pain in the sternum, in the area where it is located.The syndrome intensifies as the person moves, coughs, sneezes, inhales deeply and changes body position.Constant or paroxysmal pain syndrome is sharp, severe and sharp in nature.Sometimes the pain manifests itself in the heart region, in the lower back and affects the neck and arms.It can also affect the shoulder blade.
The manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to symptoms caused by heart problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis.
When there is inflammation in 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, an elevated temperature in the range 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 load on the shoulder joint.
In inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), caused by excessive exertion or infection, intense pain affects the entire cervico-brachial region, radiating to the scapula, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapula region 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.In principle, 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.Then the bone becomes deformed, 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, staphylococci, salmonella, E. coli and other infectious agents, the patient is exposed to high fever, chills and increased heart rate.There are complaints of pain in the back, scapula and muscles, which decrease when the abscess is opened.
Watch!Painful manifestations below or above the left shoulder blade and in the bone region are inherent to congenital anomalies.These include aplasia (absence of an organ), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), 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 in the cervical spine lead to compression of the nerve roots by bone formations, which causes pain when moving, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain below the left shoulder blade is often the result of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Substernal pain in the central or left part, extending 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 from behind.It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome.It may be painful or appear acutely.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an angina attack, characterized by retrosternal pressure or compression pain, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm and lower jaw.At the same time, blood pressure may increase, sweating and pallor may appear.
Angina attacks often occur in stressful situations or due to increased physical activity.They are treated with nitroglycerin.When the duration of pain exceeds 20 minutes or medications do not provide relief, the presence of 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 dissemination of blood between the layers of the vessel wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way.As they increase, the person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.A dissecting aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture.When a rupture occurs, the sensation of pain is sharp and short-lived.It affects the chest and back, leading to a reflex decrease in blood pressure and fainting.After a certain period of time, a person feels burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, under the left shoulder blade.The syndrome cannot be eliminated with available medications.In this condition, death is very possible, so 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 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 critical fever, 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 region, in some cases radiating to the scapula.The pathology is accompanied by a cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath and shortness of breath when breathing.
The diagnosis of left pleurisy (accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity) is made based on the following symptoms: acute chest pain, sometimes irradiating 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 coughs of various types.
The occurrence of pain under the left shoulder blade is also possible due to acute bronchitis, tracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
gastrointestinal tract
Pain in the region of the left shoulder blade 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 may appear immediately after eating or later.
Perforated ulcers cause unbearable acute pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.Failure to assist the patient within 12 hours of the onset of the illness leads to acute poisoning and can cause the patient's death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper, middle, or left part of the abdomen.In some cases, they extend under the shoulder blade.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 it does cause a dull pain under the left shoulder blade.In these cases, delaying treatment can cost the patient his life.
Additionally, esophageal spasm, calculous cholecystitis, gastroesophagitis, and reflux are to blame for pain in the left shoulder blade region.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In each case, the specialist asks the patient about concomitant manifestations, palpates the painful area, checks blood pressure and stability of the heart rhythm 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 consult a therapist who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnoses.
An accurate determination of the causes of the pathology is made using:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- urine analysis;
- X-rays for possible problems of the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiograms to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with insufficient radiographic data;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines the reason for the manifestation of pain, and then refers to a specialized doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important!For pain below the left shoulder blade, painkillers only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis.Pain relieving medications should only be prescribed by a specialist as part of 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 aims to eliminate the underlying disease and involves a variety of methods.
To avoid shoulder blade pain, you must take care of your health and if any negative symptoms occur, immediately seek help from a specialist.