Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back: causes, treatment, what to do when the shoulder blade hurts

Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back is a very unpleasant phenomenon that impairs a person's mobility and impairs performance.It has been noted that with some pathologies, such discomfort can persist even while the person is resting.However, this symptom does not always indicate the presence of complex back pathology.Sometimes it is caused by a banal long-term stay in a physiologically incorrect position.

General anatomical information

So, if you look at the back from behind, you can see that the left shoulder blade is fixed on the ribs that make up the chest.Between each of them there is a nerve and blood vessels that are located in depressions.The ribs are interconnected by ligaments and muscles.

Closer to the center of the scapula is the spine, inside which is the spinal cord.All the nerves come from him.The back muscles surrounding the scapula are fairly well developed.Its purpose is to protect the left lung, heart, spleen, stomach and pancreas, as well as the thoracic aorta.

What factors cause pain?

Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be caused by the following factors:

1. Stomach ulcer.Here the nature of the back pain intensifies, it is associated with meals, but after an attack of vomiting it becomes weaker.An additional sign that an ulcer is causing the pain is the presence of belching or heartburn.Discomfort is felt not only in the left shoulder blade, but can also spread to the sternum and left nipple.In this case, the patient is simply unable to move normally.Strong discomfort prevents him from taking a deep breath, so the person cannot completely relax, which entails other equally serious dysfunctions of the body and nervous system.If the pain on the left side of the back manifests itself too sharply, immediately go to the emergency room.
2. Acute pancreatitis.It can also cause quite severe pain in the left side of the back below the shoulder blade.Sensations have their own character, in this case overwhelming, sudden.
3. Vegetative crisis.The manifestation of symptoms here is very clear.In addition to back pain on the left side of the back, a person has a feeling of tightness in the chest, heat in the same area and the inability to determine the exact location of the pain.The patient cannot breathe normally and feels an increased sense of anxiety and fear.It cannot be said that in such a condition it will be possible to accurately determine the place of pain.It often spreads to other parts of the body, even the lower abdomen.The patient experiences a lump in the throat and suffocation.
4. Myocardial infarction.It also causes severe pain in the area of the left shoulder blade from the back.This condition is often life-threatening, so it is necessary to recognize it in time and begin treatment.The patient feels a burning sensation and cannot take a deep breath.The intensity of pain on the left side of the back is very high, the patient does not respond to glycerol trinitrate, and the pathological condition itself lasts more than 10 minutes.The disease is characterized by the fact that the patient's hand often goes numb during the attack.
5. Angina pectoris.This heart pathology is also characterized by the presence of pain under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back.The pain is sharp, squeezing the chest.The cause of this disease is considered to be narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels.The attack was caused by physical activity, hypothermia and consumption of alcoholic beverages.Glycerol trinitrate can weaken it.
6. Pathologies of the respiratory system.If a person feels constant back pain under the left shoulder blade, the cause of this condition is pneumonia or dry pleurisy.At the same time, every deep breath, cough and sneeze is accompanied by unpleasant feelings.The pain will always be directed to the affected lung.Its character can vary depending on the severity of the pathology: it can be insignificant or become cut and penetrating.
7. Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta.Because of this, the load on the valve between the left atrium and ventricle increases.At the same time, the heart cannot cope with its functions as quickly as it should.This causes stagnation of venous blood in the lungs and their edema develops.At the point where the aneurysm attaches to the vessel, its wall becomes thinner and can rupture at any time.This will cause severe bleeding into the abdominal cavity.
8. Biphasic rupture of the spleen.This reason is considered very rare, but it does occur.When organ tissue is damaged, the patient develops abdominal bleeding that is almost impossible to stop.This disease requires urgent surgical treatment.

These pathologies must be recognized as soon as possible.Otherwise, without proper medical care, the person may die.

What diseases of the musculoskeletal system cause pain?

Damage to the spine or other parts of the skeleton can cause pain under the left shoulder blade from the back.The following reasons for the development of discomfort can be identified:

• Osteochondrosis of the neck.At the beginning of the development of the disease, it is difficult to determine the patient's feelings, but they are directed towards the damaged nerve roots.The pain is spontaneous, excruciating and may disappear after a warm bath.In the area of the neck, a strong pinching of nerves and blood vessels occurs afterwards, which does not go unnoticed.An additional symptom of the pathology is that the pain radiates to the hand.Osteochondrosis of the neck most often develops in those people who deliberately or forcibly lead a passive, sedentary lifestyle.As for the nature of the pain syndrome, there may be pain or stabbing below the shoulder blade.
• Intercostal nerve damage.The presented condition is considered a common cause of back pain under the shoulder blade on the left side.Deep breathing, coughing and bending to the left side increase the pain syndrome.The sensations are very sharp, strong, bursting.If the pathology progresses, then the pain under the scapula from behind becomes burning.
• Scapular-costal syndrome.The feeling is usually pain, pulling.Discomfort is localized in the area above and below the shoulder blade, below the shoulder.A characteristic of the pathology is that a creaking sound is heard when moving the arm and shoulder.The cause of this disease is very strong physical stress, injury to the mentioned part of the body and hypothermia.
• Malignant tumor affecting the skeleton.In this case, the tumor itself or its metastases are localized on the scapula.
• Scapular crunch.This disease is not often observed and affects the subscapular bursa.Here the pain is not of high intensity.But during movement, a crunch is heard in the area of the scapula.
• Osteomyelitis, which occurs as a result of a certain injury, for example: an injury with a weapon.
• Humeroscapular periarthritis.If it has a simple form of development, then the sensations will not stand out too clearly.Symptoms are usually revealed only by some movement.During the acute phase of development, the pathology is characterized by an increase in appearance, especially at night.At the same time, mobility in the shoulder is limited, an increase in basal temperature is observed, and the muscles are cramping.

Pain under the left shoulder blade can be a symptom of a serious pathology, especially if it is burning, sharp or piercing in nature.Even pregnancy can cause a pathological condition.This period is characterized by the fact that the female body experiences enormous stress.

An injury can cause back pain under the left shoulder blade: fracture, crack.Here the discomfort is of a painful nature, and with movement there is a tendency to increase it.Psychosomatic reasons for the development of such a pathological condition are often cited.The provoking factor here is strong emotional or psychological stress, with which the body is not able to cope adequately.The peculiarity of this reason is that even the patient's negative attitude towards the symptoms can worsen his well-being even more.

Classification of unpleasant sensations

Before starting the treatment of a pathological condition, it is necessary to determine the cause of its occurrence.The nature of the pain syndrome is also important for diagnosis.it could be:

1. Surroundings.In this case, the discomfort is localized in one place.One feels it all the time.The patient cannot breathe normally, because this leads to an increase in the syndrome.The slightest movement or cough can cause the patient's condition to worsen.The nature of the pain is caused by the passage of a nerve impulse between the ribs.
2. Burning.The victim may feel numbness in certain areas of the skin and a burning sensation on the body.
3. It's growing.Here the pain below the shoulder blade on the side of the back will radiate into the arm.Increased muscle tone in the shoulders and back can cause these symptoms.
4. Spicy.Here, the intensity of pain behind the left shoulder blade is considered very high.Often the patient cannot breathe, it is difficult for him to lie on his left side, movements become unbearable.

5. Cutting.It is first localized to the left and then moves to the center.
6. A dull aching painin the left shoulder blade.It usually occurs when you raise your hand.
7. Retreatpain syndrome.It often "spreads" from the scapula to the lumbar spine.
8. Cutting.
9. Constant pain, which does not allow you to breathe, lie down or move normally.

As you can see, there are many different types of ailments.Therefore, it will not be possible to independently determine the cause of the development of pathology.That is, if there is pain, the patient must visit a doctor and undergo a thorough examination.

Characteristics of disease diagnosis

If the patient feels a dull pain and begins to hurt in the area of the left scapula, the treatment begins with a full examination.Diagnostics includes the following procedures:

• X-ray of the spine, and it is done in several projections.The image may also show lung problems.
• Computed tomography.
• MRI.
• If there are cardiac symptoms, the patient is prescribed an ECG.
• Ultrasound of internal organs.
• Instrumental examination of pulse and blood pressure.
• Biochemical and general blood test.

After the examination and determination of the cause of the pathological condition, the patient is prescribed treatment.He may need to consult a cardiologist or gastroenterologist.

How to properly treat the disease?

Of course, if the patient starts to feel pain in the back of the left scapula, cannot take a deep breath, therapy should be started.Methods for removing pain under the left scapula are determined by the factors that triggered the development of the pathological process.It is not enough to simply remove the symptoms, because they will quickly reappear.

Each disease is characterized by its own symptoms, therefore the treatment regimen is always different.However, each of them contains important recommendations for maintaining a daily routine and diet.Of course, dull pain is treated with medication.

If conservative therapy does not give positive dynamics, the patient is indicated for surgery.For example, a hernia of significant size, a ruptured spleen, or a stomach ulcer accompanied by internal bleeding must be treated surgically.

If the pain provokes pregnancy, then you should rest more and consult a gynecologist.

When should you go to the hospital?

So, if the discomfort is constantly present, and with deep breathing it becomes stronger and begins to radiate to the hand and other parts of the body, immediately consult a specialist.Simply treating the symptoms will only make the situation worse as the disease continues to progress.

Even if the patient knows the cause of his condition, he should not immediately run to a specialist.It is better to consult a therapist, who will guide you where to go.

Preventive measures

It is impossible to be completely insured against all diseases.However, you can try to avoid those factors that will cause your health to deteriorate.For example, you should eat right, exercise daily to keep your body in shape and train your muscles.If you have a sedentary job, you need to warm up occasionally.Of course, it is better to avoid all kinds of injuries.

If you know why you have pain under the left shoulder blade in the back, then you can start effective treatment in time.Of course, some pathologies, especially degenerative-dystrophic ones, cannot be completely overcome.However, proper therapy will help slow their progression.Be healthy and do not ignore the advice of experts!