Pain under the left shoulder blade from behind can occur due to sudden movements, long-term adoption of an uncomfortable position, sitting or lying down.But in this case it goes away quickly on its own.If the pain syndrome lasts for a long time, becomes acute, is of a stabbing or cutting nature and painkillers do not help, then you should urgently consult a doctor.Such pain under the scapula on the left side of the back indicates pathology and is potentially serious.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 two groups:
- Pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders.Pain under the left scapula can be caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic region, intercostal neuralgia, osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, scapula injuries, rib fracture or tear, 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, gallbladder, stomach ulcer, esophageal spasm, or exacerbation of pancreatitis.
One of the rare pathologies that cause pain radiating to the scapula is a ruptured spleen.This pathology requires immediate surgical treatment, as it causes massive abdominal bleeding with the threat of death.
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:
- Dissection of an ascending aortic aneurysm;
- coronary heart disease;
- angina pectoris;
- pericarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis;
- Myocardial infarction.
Pain in the left shoulder blade from behind that radiates to the arm and chest area may indicate heart disease.Numbness in the limbs often occurs.Depending on the disease, accompanying symptoms occur: lack of air, tightness in the throat, tightness in the chest, feeling of cardiac arrest.
Let's take a closer look at the main causes of pain under the shoulder blade from the back left.
Gallbladder diseases
With cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, a feeling of heaviness occurs on the right side, pain radiates under the scapula on the left side.An acute attack of gallbladder inflammation causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting and increased body temperature.If it is caused by blockage of the bile ducts by a stone, the pain syndrome occurs in the form of biliary colic.
In chronic inflammation, the nature of the pain is painful.Unpleasant sensations appear after eating fatty foods and long breaks between meals.
Relapses of seizures can occur after physical or nervous stress against the background of stress.
Subphrenic abscess
It is a collection of pus under the diaphragm.An abscess most often forms on the right side, but a left-sided location is also possible.The pathology is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Pain on the left side radiating from under the shoulder blade to the breastbone;
- acute chest pain that increases when you breathe in;
- high body temperature;
- Hiccup;
- 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 both chest and scapular pain, 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 increases when coughing or inhaling;
- Cough;
- panting.
Pain syndrome in the posterior region of the left scapula most often occurs with pneumonia, dry pleurisy, pneumothorax, acute bronchitis, or an abscess of the left lung.
Kidney disease
Shoulder blade pain can occur due to problems with the right kidney as it is located near the shoulder blade.With its inflammation, the formation of purulent infiltrates or stones, the pain is often localized on the right, but can also radiate to the left.The pain is often dull or aching, but can also be stabbing.It is paroxysmal, ascending, that is, it rises from the lower back, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased body temperature.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Spinal problems and associated neurological disorders are the main cause of back pain in the left shoulder blade area.Pain can occur with any movement, turning the body, sneezing, breathing, or taking deep breaths.They can radiate into the arm, accompanied by a grinding noise and limited mobility.
Pain in the shoulder blade area often occurs due to the following diseases:
- cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis;
- herniated disc;
- Projection;
- scoliosis;
- Radiculitis.
Against the background of degenerative processes in the spine, not only blood vessels and nerve endings are pinched, but also muscle spasms.Muscle spasms lead to the appearance of scapular-costal syndrome.
One of the most common causes of shoulder blade pain is cervical osteochondrosis.The pain syndrome is initially mild, but becomes acute and sharp with the appearance of degenerative changes.The pain is accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision and increased blood pressure.
Less common musculoskeletal disorders that can cause scapular pain include osteomyelitis, bone tuberculosis, and malignant neoplasms.
Muscle strain and inflammation
The back muscles surrounding the scapula support the spine in an anatomically correct position and protect the surrounding internal organs.Their inflammation or injury is accompanied not only by pain, but also leads to a decrease in muscle tone and the appearance of shoulder instability.
Intercostal neuralgia
The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the intercostal nerves and occurs 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 treatment.The pain can be painful, but sometimes it hurts so much that you can't bear it.
It is important to contact a neurologist in a timely manner who will provide qualified and, most importantly, timely help, otherwise intercostal neuralgia can lead to severe discomfort:
- the pain takes on a stabbing, cutting character;
- Pain increases when moving the hand, coughing or inhaling;
- numbness appears in the affected area of the body;
- Heart rhythm is disturbed.
Diseases or injuries to the scapula
Tears and fractures of the scapula as well as glenohumeral arthritis are associated with pain, restricted movement, damage to blood vessels and pinched nerve endings.
Scapular injuries 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, location, intensity of the pain and its relationship to movement, breathing and eating.If there is pain below the left shoulder blade after eating, heart disease and musculoskeletal system diseases can be ruled out.The cause of pain is diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas and stomach.
The nature of the pain syndrome can be belt-like, acute, burning, increasing, aching, dull and sharp.
Pain in the left shoulder blade
It can be constant or periodic and indicate both pathologies of internal organs and diseases of the spine.Without treatment, you may experience a stinging, burning sensation.Seizures are more common when lifting your arm, doing physical activity, or staying in one position for a long time.
Occurs in scoliosis, chronic cholecystitis, scapular-costal syndrome, herniated disc, initial stages of cervical osteochondrosis, bruises and other minor injuries, as well as intercostal neuralgia.
Acute pain under the left shoulder blade
This is a severe pain syndrome 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, subphrenic abscess, pleurisy, acute cholecystitis, intercostal neuralgia.
Stabbing pain in the area of the left shoulder blade
It can occur suddenly or be the result of persistent aching pain.Sharp, stabbing pain is a sign of osteochondrosis, hernia, trauma, intercostal neuralgia, tuberculosis of the scapula, aortic aneurysm, perforated stomach ulcer, radiculitis.
Stitching pain behind the left shoulder blade
It manifests itself as lumbago, which is typical of pinched nerve endings in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.If there is also compression of the chest and a lack of air, a heart attack or a lung abscess cannot be ruled out.
Stitching pain in the left back under the shoulder blade
Inherent in most pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as in bronchopulmonary diseases.
Constant pain on the left side under the shoulder blade
Such pain does not leave the patient even when lying down.It affects sleeping, breathing and walking.More often, the pain increases with physical activity, coughing and sneezing.
Constant excruciating or aching pain occurs due to injuries to the spine or scapula, scapulochibular syndrome, bronchopulmonary diseases, pyelonephritis, and oncology.Girdle pain 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 and muscle strain.
Important!If a burning sensation spreading 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
Painful sensations below the shoulder blade on the left, especially if they are quite intense, impairing movement and free breathing, require qualified help, as they pose a danger to human health and life.You can't ignore them and treat yourself.Taking analgesics, antispasmodics and other painkillers can relieve the pain, but does not eliminate the cause, which must be determined by a doctor.
Important!In case of severe pain with increasing intensity and rapid deterioration in well-being, emergency care is required.
Which doctor should I see if I have pain on the left side of my shoulder blade?
At the first painful feeling in the shoulder blade area, you should consult a specialist and undergo diagnostics.Since back pain is often neurological in nature, you should make an appointment with a neurologist.
The doctor conducts a visual examination, examines the patient's complaints and creates a clinical picture: the type and condition of the pain syndrome (when lying down, when moving), its intensity, accompanying symptoms.
To understand exactly why your back hurts, your doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- Laboratory – clinical analysis of blood and urine showing 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 instrumental diagnostics reveals a pathology that is not within the competence of a neurologist, the doctor refers 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 cause and relieving pain.The doctor selects medications 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 the drug therapy looks like this:
- anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- analgesics;
- Local anesthetics.
Drug therapy must be supplemented with physiotherapy treatment, massage and therapeutic exercises.
If conservative therapy does not produce the desired therapeutic effect, surgery is indicated for the patient.
It depends on which side of the shoulder blade the pain occurs: right or left
Heart disease, especially something as serious as a heart attack, manifests itself through left-sided symptoms.The situation is similar with injuries and ruptures of the spleen.These pathologies can lead to the death of the patient, so the localization of pain is extremely important.
Remember that self-medication can only worsen your health and contribute to the development of complications.If you have persistent problems in the left shoulder blade area, professional help is required.