Pain under the left shoulder blade in the back can occur due to sudden movements, prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, sitting or lying down.But in this case, it passes quickly on its own.If the pain syndrome persists for a long time, becomes acute, sharp or cutting in nature, and pain relievers do not help, you should urgently consult a doctor.This pain under the shoulder blade, on the left side of the back, indicates pathology and is likely to be intense.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 shoulder blade can be caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic region, intercostal neuralgia, osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, injuries to the scapula, fracture or fissure of ribs, myofascial or scapulocostal syndrome, glenohumeral periarthritis.
- Pain that occurs due to diseases of internal organs.Pain under the left shoulder blade can be a symptom of heart disease, bronchopulmonary system, gallbladder, stomach ulcers, esophageal spasm, exacerbation of pancreatitis.
Rare pathologies that cause pain radiating to the shoulder blade include splenic rupture.This pathology requires immediate surgical treatment, as massive, life-threatening abdominal bleeding occurs.
No less dangerous for the body is pain in the back, on the left, under the shoulder blade, which develops against the background of heart disease:
- ascending aortic aneurysm dissection;
- coronary heart disease;
- angina pectoris;
- pericarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis;
- myocardial infarction.
Pain in the left shoulder blade in the back, which radiates to the arm and chest region, may indicate heart disease.Numbness of the limb often occurs.Depending on the disease, accompanying symptoms appear: shortness of breath, tightness in the throat, tightness in the chest, sensation of cardiac arrest.
Let's take a look at the main causes of pain under the shoulder blade in the back on the left.
Gallbladder diseases
In cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, heaviness appears on the right side, pain radiating under the shoulder blade on the left.An acute attack of gallbladder inflammation causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting and an increase in body temperature.If it is caused by obstruction of the bile ducts by a stone, the pain syndrome occurs as biliary colic.
In chronic inflammation, the nature of the pain is aching.Unpleasant sensations appear after eating fatty foods, with long breaks between meals.
Relapses of attacks can occur after physical or nervous exertion, in a context of stress.
Subphrenic abscess
It is a build-up of pus under the diaphragm.Most often, an abscess forms on the right side, but localization on the left side is also possible.The pathology is manifested by the following symptoms:
- pain on the left side, radiating under the scapula to the sternum;
- sharp pain in the chest, which intensifies when inhaling;
- high body temperature;
- hiccups;
- increased sweating;
- unproductive 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 chest and scapular pain, always complemented by a specific bronchopulmonary clinical picture:
- increased body temperature;
- weakness, lethargy;
- difficulty breathing;
- chest pain (usually in the affected lung) of moderate intensity, which intensifies when coughing or inhaling;
- cough;
- hiss.
Pain syndrome in the posterior region of the left shoulder blade 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 in the right kidney, as it is located close to the scapula.With its inflammation, the formation of purulent infiltrates or stones, the pain is usually localized to the right, but can also radiate to the left.The pain is usually dull or aching, but can also be sharp.It is paroxysmal, ascending, that is, it rises through the lower back, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and an increase in body temperature.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Spine problems and associated neurological disorders are the main cause of back pain in the left shoulder blade region.Pain can occur with any movement, turning the body, sneezing, breathing or taking a deep breath.They can radiate into the arm, combined with a crunching sound and limited mobility.
Often, pain in the scapula region occurs due to the following diseases:
- cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis;
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- boss;
- scoliosis;
- radiculitis.
Against the background of degenerative processes in the spine, not only blood vessels and nerve endings are compressed, but also muscle spasms.Muscle spasm causes the occurrence of scapular-costal syndrome.
One of the most common causes of shoulder blade pain is cervical osteochondrosis.At first, the pain syndrome is mild, but as degenerative changes occur, it becomes acute and acute.The pain is accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision and increased blood pressure.
The rarer diseases of the musculoskeletal system that can cause scapular pain include osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis and malignant neoplasms.
Muscle tension and inflammation
The back muscles surrounding the shoulder blade support the spine in an anatomically correct position and protect the internal organs located nearby.Its inflammation or injury is not only accompanied by pain, but also causes a decrease in muscle tone and the occurrence of instability in the shoulder.
Intercostal neuralgia
The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the intercostal nerves and arises against the background of the following provoking factors:
- rib or spine injuries;
- hypothermia;
- excessive physical activity;
- osteochondrosis.
The intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the severity of the pathology and the timeliness of treatment.The pain can be painful, 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 assistance, otherwise intercostal neuralgia will cause a person great discomfort:
- the pain becomes sharp, cutting in nature;
- the pain increases when moving the hand, coughing or inhaling;
- 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 compressed nerve endings.
Injuries to the scapula are more common among athletes, patients with osteoporosis and bone tissue cancer.
Types of pain under the shoulder blade on the left
Before proceeding with diagnosis and treatment, it is important to understand the nature, location, intensity of the pain, its connection with movement, breathing and eating.If it hurts below the left shoulder blade after eating, heart pathologies and diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be ruled out.The cause of pain is diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas and stomach.
The nature of the pain syndrome can be ringing, sharp, burning, increasing, aching, dull, sharp.
Aching pain in the left shoulder blade
It can be constant or periodic, indicating both pathologies of internal organs and diseases of the spine.Without treatment, it can turn into a stinging and burning sensation.Attacks occur more frequently when raising the arm, engaging in physical activity, or remaining in the same position for a long time.
Appears with scoliosis, chronic cholecystitis, scapulo-costal syndrome, intervertebral disc hernia, initial stages of cervical osteochondrosis, bruises and other mild injuries, intercostal neuralgia.
Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade
This is a syndrome of intense back pain, below the shoulder blade, which limits movement and makes breathing difficult.Characteristic for myocardial infarction, bursitis of the shoulder joint, exacerbation of osteochondrosis, spondylosis, hernia, subphrenic abscess, pleurisy, acute cholecystitis, intercostal neuralgia.
Sharp pain in the left shoulder blade region
It may occur suddenly or be the result of prolonged pain.Sharp, sharp pain is a sign of osteochondrosis, hernia, trauma, intercostal neuralgia, tuberculosis of the scapula, aortic aneurysm, perforated gastric ulcer, radiculitis.
Stitching pain behind the left shoulder blade
It manifests as low back pain, typical of compressed nerve endings in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.If it is accompanied by chest compression and shortness of breath, myocardial infarction or lung abscess cannot be ruled out.
Dull pain on the left side of your back, under your shoulder blade
Inherent in most pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as bronchopulmonary diseases.
Constant pain on the left side under the shoulder blade
This pain does not leave the patient even lying down.It interferes with sleeping, breathing and walking.More often, the pain intensifies with physical activity, coughing and sneezing.
Constant, dull pain occurs due to injuries to the spine or scapula, scapulochibular syndrome, bronchopulmonary diseases, pyelonephritis and oncology.Pain in the waist with disorders of the digestive system is characteristic of patients with acute pancreatitis.
Burning pain on the left side of the shoulder blade
It is simply unbearable and occurs with intercostal neuralgia, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, muscle strain.
Important!If a burning sensation that spreads to the sternum is accompanied by shortness of breath, immediately call an ambulance.This is a sign of a heart attack.
How to relieve pain under your left shoulder blade
Painful sensations below the left shoulder blade, 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 pain relievers, antispasmodics and other pain relievers can relieve pain, but will not eliminate the cause, which must be discovered by the doctor.
Important!Emergency care will be required in case of severe pain with increasing intensity and rapid deterioration in well-being.
Which doctor should I see for pain on the left side under the shoulder blade?
At the first painful sensation in the shoulder blade area, you should consult a specialist and make a diagnosis.Since the nature of back pain is often neurological, you should make an appointment with a neurologist.
The doctor will perform a visual examination, study the patient's complaints, draw up a clinical picture: the nature and conditions of the pain syndrome (in a lying position, during movement), its intensity, accompanying symptoms.
To understand exactly why your back hurts, your doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- laboratory - clinical analyzes 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 state of the spine, muscle tissue, nerve endings and blood vessels.
If 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 shoulder blade
All therapeutic measures are aimed at eliminating the root cause and relieving pain.The doctor selects medications based on the reason for the pain in the shoulder blade area.
If the cause is a disease of the musculoskeletal system or its complications, drug therapy will look like this:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesics;
- local anesthetic agents.
Drug therapy should be complemented with physiotherapeutic treatment, massages and therapeutic exercises.
If conservative therapy does not provide the desired therapeutic effect, surgery is recommended to the patient.
When it is important on which side of the shoulder blade pain: right or left
Heart diseases, especially serious ones such as myocardial infarction, present with symptoms on the left side.The situation is similar with injuries and rupture of the spleen.These pathologies can lead to the death of the patient, which is why the location of the pain is extremely important.
Remember, self-medication can only worsen your health condition and contribute to the development of complications.If there is constant discomfort in the left shoulder blade area, professional help is needed.