Sometimes we experience back discomfort on the left side. They can be pains of a different nature: pulling, stabbing, aching. They can be accompanied by additional symptoms. Pain under the left shoulder blade is usually not the only symptom. This is one of the signs of the manifestation of any disease. All complaints and symptoms together will help the doctor choose the direction of diagnosis. After all, immediate assistance is often required.
The anatomical structure of the body
If we view our body from behind, it will be seen that the left shoulder blade is located on the ribs involved in the formation of the chest. Between the ribs are nerves and blood vessels. They are connected by muscle fibers.
The scapula performs a protective function of the internal organs: heart, lung, stomach and pancreas, spleen.
Based on the anatomical structure of the body, the pain under the left shoulder blade can be conditionally divided into:
- associated with the pathology of the musculoskeletal system,
- associated with the pathology of any internal organ.
Because there are discomforts on the left side
Many of us with the appearance of pain in the left side, first of all, consider problems in the work of the heart. In fact, most often the cause is a spinal problem. There may also be malfunctions in the work of internal organs.
Let's consider in more detail the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade. They can occur when:
- Spinal column and musculoskeletal problems: osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, scapular injuries, rib fractures, myofascial syndrome, Sprengel's disease.
- Diseases of the bronchi and lungs: pneumonia, localized to the left, dry pleurisy, bronchitis in the acute phase of the course, tracheitis, left lung abscess.
- Diseases of the cardiological system: angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart attack, valve prolapse.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines: gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophagitis, reflux, spasm of the esophagus.
- Psychosomatic course of the disease with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Relationship between pain and disease
Patients can characterize the nature of the pain, from pain to cutting and burning. There are several typical signs of pain that distinguish them from other diseases:
| Name of the disease | Pain that characterizes it |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Pain in the region of the left shoulder blade is of a burning nature, causes a sensation of compression of the retrosternal space. It occurs in the same place, moving to the left side - the back, shoulder blade, arm. Pressing, as if squeezing heart pain, spread of myocardial infarction is possible. In this case, urgent hospitalization is required. |
| aortic aneurysm | The pain is sharp, stabbing, increasing, goes to the left in the back and under the shoulder blade. The condition develops rapidly and threatens the patient's life. |
| Pleurisy | The pain is sharp and stabbing, depending on the size of the breath. In a calm state, a tingling sensation is possible, when inhaling with a full chest, there is a stabbing pain in the shoulder blade. |
| Left-sided pneumonia | The pain is not strong, aching, it can be characterized as a point. It can increase slightly with movement and deep inspiration. |
| Osteochondrosis of the vertebrae | Most often, the pain is localized in the lower part of the neck. It manifests itself with aching sensations, aggravated by a sharp movement of the head. It can give in to the hand, be accompanied by rotation of the head, numbness of the limb. The pain under the shoulder blade is weak, aching and pulling, there may be an increase in pain in a long sitting position or after physical exertion. As a rule, this happens in the evening. In the morning, the stiffness of the spinal muscles is felt. Unlike heart pain, it does not go away after taking medication. There may be severe headaches that do not depend on the pressure. |
| Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers in the stomach and intestines | Pain in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be seasonal with attacks. Pain syndrome can occur due to prolonged hunger, right after eating, a couple of hours after eating, at night. The pain goes away after satisfying hunger, after food has left the stomach, after vomiting or taking medications. When the ulcer is punctured, the pain radiates under the left shoulder blade, it is sharp and unbearable. If you suspect this disease, you should immediately go to the hospital. At the beginning of the development of the disease, the pain may subside after vomiting. With reflux esophagitis, the accompanying symptoms will be heartburn, belching, and impaired digestion. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | Severe pain in the belt or girdle is felt constantly or during attacks. It can occur on one side. Increases during sudden movements: sneezing, coughing, severe shortness of breath, walking, physical activity, palpation of the pain site. |
| Vegetative-vascular dystonia and myofascial syndrome | With myofascial syndrome, the pain is dull, coming from the depths of the tissues. It can occur both at rest and during physical activity. It can range in intensity from mild to severe. Objectively, during the examination, patients with VVD suffer from irritability, memory impairment, sweating, tachycardia and tremor in the hands. There are often changes in the heart muscle. The nature of pain is similar to that of the heart. But the examination of the heart does not confirm the diagnosis. |
Diagnosis of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
To find out what is causing the pain, a detailed examination will be required. First of all, you need to consult a therapist or doctor. He, based on the complaints and examination of the patient, will determine what kind of research should be carried out.
The initial stage of treatment, if the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade, should be a trip to the local therapist. He will be able to carry out an initial examination and prescribe all the necessary examinations. And already with the existing exams, you can consult narrow specialists.
The doctor will not be able to diagnose the disease solely from complaints of the pain syndrome. Complaints will be an impetus in the direction in which a more thorough diagnosis is needed. Therefore, when contacting a doctor, it is necessary to know exactly the answers to questions about the nature of pain, its localization and concomitant causes: the relationship with food intake, physical and emotional stress.
If myositis is suspected in a patient, a detailed blood test should be performed to confirm the inflammatory process.
To more accurately diagnose the disease, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations.
The first task is to rule out conditions that require emergency medical attention. These include: gastric and duodenal ulcers, heart attack, rupture of the aorta.
To understand exactly what hurts under the left shoulder blade, you need to undergo the following examinations:
- Visual inspection and palpation of the localization of pain. The temperature, blood pressure and pulse will be taken.
- X-ray in different views to confirm or deny problems with the spine and lungs.
- ECG to check the work of the heart.
- To clarify the localization of the problem with the spine, a CT scan or MRI may be required.
- If gastrointestinal problems are suspected, FGS: fibrogastroduodenoscopy may be prescribed.
- General and biochemical blood tests.
For some types of pain, first aid may be provided with analgesics and antispasmodics. But their reception does not eliminate the cause, but only suffocates the pain from the left under the shoulder blade, which, after the end of the drug, will definitely return again. To prevent the pain from recurring, it is necessary to find out the cause.
In any case, if the left shoulder blade hurts, after stopping the first signs of pain, it is necessary to undergo a full course of examinations. After all, often the source of pain radiating to the shoulder blade can be located elsewhere. Therefore, when a pain syndrome appears in the area of the scapula, it is necessary to visit: a therapist, a neurologist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a traumatologist, with the exclusion of the pathology by all the listed specialists, a consultation with a psychotherapist.
Treatment of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
The purpose of treatment will depend on the diagnosis of the disease. For each specific disease, there are specific treatment regimens. They necessarily include recommendations on physical activity and diet. The therapeutic regimen is described in detail. They are combined according to symptoms and ailments to relieve acute, life-threatening symptoms.
In any case, it should be remembered that pain in the left shoulder blade can only be removed with drugs recommended by a specialist. Do not resort to the advice of relatives and friends. After all, without the help of the doctor it is difficult to determine the nature of the pain. Self-medication can lead to a delay in heart or gastric pathologies.
- For example, with reflux after examination, medications may be prescribed to reduce the acidity of the stomach, to facilitate its movement in the intestine. In this case, it is worth limiting the amount of food consumed, you should not bend down immediately after eating.
- With osteochondrosis, physiotherapy exercises, swimming, dry heat and increased physical activity can be prescribed as medical procedures. All these measures are used as prophylaxis after the pain subsides.
- If there is a diagnosis of ischemia, a cardiac medication should be taken initially. If the pain in the left shoulder blade does not go away after 10 minutes, an ambulance should be called.
- If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, the best prevention is the constant intake of the necessary drugs, diet, mental stability and not excessive physical activity.
- If pain in the shoulder blade arises due to problems with the spine, it is necessary to perform a series of special exercises for a long time and follow the recommendations of specialists in taking medication.
- If the onset of pain under the shoulder blade on the left is associated with problems in the stomach and intestines, then diet and medications will help to cope. In this case, psycho-emotional balance is important, because stress often causes an ulcer. You need a positive attitude and master the relaxation and relaxation technique.
If there are no results from conservative treatment, as well as when a perforated ulcer is detected, a large hernia of the spine, a ruptured spleen, surgery is required.
In principle, in order to avoid serious health problems, an annual dispensary examination is necessary. It is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations to exclude the occurrence of diseases in the near future.