Pain under the shoulder blade in the back left is a fairly common occurrence. Unpleasant sensations can be caused by being in an uncomfortable position for a long time or by an unsuccessful sharp movement that caused muscle strain. However, prolonged and periodically recurring pain is already a very bad sign.
In fact, such pain can be caused by various serious diseases. Therefore, if such symptoms occur, you must immediately contact a doctor and undergo an examination.
It is not necessary that the source of pain is always near the place of its manifestation. The human nervous system is designed so that the impulses emitted by a diseased organ can move away from it and manifest itself in a completely different place. Therefore, pain under the scapula can be caused by diseases of the spine, gastrointestinal and cardiac pathologies. At the same time, the pain under the scapula on the left behind also applies to professional pain. For example, for drivers and seamstresses. In this case, the pain is caused by a constant load on the muscles of the cervical spine.
Quite often, pain appears under the scapula during movement, but immediately passes in a state of rest. In some cases, pain occurs in the heart. The causes of such symptoms lie in the pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Diagnostics
Since pain under the scapula may indicate different diseases and pathologies, further examination of the body is carried out on the basis of the diagnosis made by the doctor.
- If you suspect a cardiovascular disease, it is necessary to make an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an ultrasound examination of the heart.
- An ultrasound of these organs is performed to examine the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.
- If you have problems with the musculoskeletal system, an x-ray and, possibly, an MRI are necessary.
- In case of lung disease, they should be examined with an X-ray.
The above methods of examination are primary and general, which provide information about the general condition of the body and foci of disease. If any violations and pathologies are detected, a very thorough examination of the person is necessary, taking into account all its physiological characteristics.
Scapular disease
The shoulder blades, like any other part of the human body, can be susceptible to specific diseases. Therefore, in some cases, unpleasant sensations in the back arise precisely due to such diseases.
- Scapular injury. Serious bruises and blows to the scapular region can result in personal injury. In case of unsuccessful falls, there is a chance of a fracture or cleavage of the shoulder blade, which leads to very unpleasant consequences. In case of bone damage, very strong pain occurs, which intensifies with movement. In case of suspicion of a serious injury, first of all, it is necessary to undergo an X-ray examination.
- Osteomyelitis scapula. This disease develops against the background of open penetrating wounds. Suppuration may occur.
- Tuberculosis of the scapula. A very rare disease, but nevertheless sometimes develops.
- Crunch in the shoulder blade. Caused by inflammation of the subscapularis. Discomfort and not very severe pain are characteristic. With active movements of the shoulder joints, a characteristic crunch appears.
- Tumor scapula. It can be caused by various diseases. In such cases, a comprehensive examination of the body and removal of the tumor is necessary.
- Pinched nerve. Most often occurs in gymnasts, but can occur in any person. Usually associated with injuries, bruises and sprains.
Despite the existence of a number of completely harmless reasons, in case of acute pain under the scapula, the best solution is to undergo an examination - since in some cases such pain is a signal of the need for emergency medical care.
Types of pain under the scapula
Such pain, depending on the cause that caused it, may be:
- Sharp.
- Stitching.
- Permanent.
- Periodic.
- Tolerant.
- Very strong.
Based on patient complaints, the main types of pain can be distinguished:
- Constant pain that does not leave the body even at rest. Periodically, it can increase, accompanied by a burning sensation.
- Cutting pain under the shoulder blade, periodically passing into the area between the shoulder blades.
- Pain in the heart. When heart problems occur, symptoms can manifest through pain under the shoulder blade.
- A constant pain that goes away at rest, but is aggravated by coughing or taking a deep breath.
- Sharp pain in the left side, disappears after vomiting.
- A sensation of pain appears at a certain position of the body. For example, it occurs if you stretch your arms up.
- The pain is directed downward from the shoulder blade to the lower back. A pulling sensation appears.
- Pain under the shoulder blade when moving.
Pain as a symptom of spinal diseases
In most cases, pain under the scapula is caused by various diseases and pathologies of the spine. For example, osteochondrosis or scoliosis.
- Various pathologies of the cervical spine can cause pain under the scapula, the treatment of which can be quite long. Constant pain under the scapula is caused by such diseases of the spinal column as osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, spondylosis, and others. Such pain can also periodically disappear and appear in the form of sharp lumbago.
- Intercostal neuralgia can also cause pain. When this disease occurs, pain spreads over the entire area of the ribs, and it becomes difficult to rotate the body.
- Left-sided shoulder-spinal periarthritis also causes pain under the left shoulder blade.
- Shoulder-rib syndrome causes pain under the scapula, accompanied by soreness in the cervical spine.
- Various oncological diseases. In some cases, the tumor can be located in the scapula itself and cause very unpleasant sensations. In case of cancer in the spine or spinal cord, the pain will still reach the scapula.
Acute pain under the shoulder blade
It is characterized by sharp, stitching flashes of pain. May occur periodically; the receding pain returns with renewed vigor as a result of movements and deep breaths. Sharp pain under the shoulder blade most often indicates a critical condition of the body and the need for speedy medical intervention.
May appear with the following diseases:
- Myocardial infarction. Usually stitching pains that appear before the attack and persist during it are growing. Increasing gradually, they give back to the back of the head, jaw, teeth, left hand. But in some cases, the onset of sharp bouts of pain appearing under the scapula is possible. However, the pain under the left shoulder blade does not always mean heart problems. Symptoms may indicate other causes.
- Pleurisy. Sharp pain can occur at the initial stage of this disease. The pain is usually concentrated in the area of fluid accumulation, i.e., under the left or right shoulder blade.
- Aneurysm. It also causes severe severe pain under the left shoulder blade. Pain can also be in the shoulder region.
- Pancreatitis Attacks of this disease are accompanied by severe pain in the left shoulder blade.
Single, non-recurring seizures can be caused by a failed movement or injury. However, if the sharp pain under the shoulder blade is systematic and the pain does not go away, you must urgently go to the hospital.
Drawing pain under the shoulder blades
This type of pain usually appears during the development of various vertebral diseases and is caused by pinching of the nerve endings (for example, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine).
Scapular-rib syndrome also causes a pulling sensation of pain. This disease is quite easy to recognize, since a characteristic crunch is always heard during movements. Also, with this syndrome, pain radiates to the cervical region.
The peculiar nature of the pain is due to the fact that, firstly, pathologies of the spine lead to a decrease in intervertebral distances, and secondly, they pass quite slowly, so pain is very rarely sharp and severe.
Pain under the left shoulder blade, treatment and diagnostic methods
If systematic pain occurs in all its manifestations, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis. Even if pain is extremely rare, severe pain under the scapula may indicate the onset of a serious illness. For example, when there is pain in the region of the heart, the causes lie in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, however, pain under the scapula can also indicate them.
First of all, you should consult a doctor for an examination. Depending on the type of pain, its manifestations and additional symptoms, an appropriate examination will be prescribed.
- In case of suspicion of diseases of the cardiovascular system, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other heart examinations may be prescribed.
- In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, an x-ray is prescribed. It is also possible the passage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- With pathologies of the digestive system, an ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract will be prescribed.
In cases where the initial examination does not reveal the causes of pain or there are suspicions of complications, an additional collection of tests and a
full examination of the body are carried out
.One way or another, the sooner a person passes the examination, the better for his health. Since timely diagnosis of any disease will help prevent the development of the disease and additional complications.
Treatment
The choice of treatment depends on the results of the examination and the diagnosis. It is very important to remember that self-medication or taking painkillers without consulting a doctor can greatly aggravate the patient's position.
Usually, the treatment is medical in nature. Also, patients are prescribed certain diets, restrictions on physical activity and a special daily regimen.
However, in some cases, surgery may be required. For example, when a malignant tumor develops in the scapular region, this becomes the only acceptable treatment option. Which once again confirms the need for an early visit to a medical institution in case of pain manifestations.
Gastric ulcer and pancreatitis
One of the most common causes of back pain under the left shoulder blade is a stomach ulcer. A lot of factors affect the manifestations of pain in an ulcer:
- Seasonality
- Eating Pain can appear immediately after eating or in the absence of it (fasting pain).
- Vomiting Attacks of vomiting relieve pain, or completely remove them.
- Type of food. An attack of pain can be triggered by the intake of a certain type of food.
When a person’s stomach affects an ulcer, the pain under the left scapula in the left back can take on quite a variety of forms.
The pain can intensify at night and be accompanied by a burning sensation. Most often it is pulling and dull. Such symptoms appear in patients with high gastric ulcers.
When such symptoms appear, an early examination of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract and diet are necessary. It is necessary to drink more water and increase the number of meals per day (but not the amount of food consumed, this means switching to a 5-time meal) - thus, there will always be something in the stomach, thereby damaging the walls of the stomach, will be minimal.
For ulcers, the most characteristic attacks of pain that occur on an empty stomach. Also, pain can provoke the intake of various irritants. Therefore, it is highly recommended to make a list of consumed products.
Most people with stomach ulcers have bouts of vomiting. Moreover, they are caused by an increase in pain, and not nausea. As a rule, after a person has vomited, the pain either goes away or decreases significantly.
With a stomach ulcer, sharp, stitching pains are possible. This can be caused by perforation of the ulcer. In fact, perforation means the appearance of an opening in the wall of the stomach in place of a wound caused by an ulcer. This is fraught with getting the contents of the stomach into the abdominal cavity and the development of peritonitis.
In the event of an attack of pancreatitis, the pain is usually shingles. It is also accompanied by vomiting, nausea and dizziness.
Diseases of the human cardiovascular system
With attacks of cardiovascular disease, the occurrence of acute pain under the left shoulder blade is characteristic. It can occur when:
- Myocardial infarction.
- Attacks of angina pectoris.
- Myocarditis.
- Exfoliating aortic aneurysm.
Usually, when a heart attack occurs, pain under the scapula on the left behind is not the only sign indicating an attack. It is accompanied by pain in the sternum, left arm, jaw, neck. However, with a “back heart attack” such pain may be the only manifestation of a heart attack. The most important difference between a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases is the inability to relieve pain with nitroglycerin. For example, with paroxysm of angina pectoris, taking nitroglycerin helps a lot.
Thus, pain under the scapula on the left behind can have a lot of reasons. Starting from quite harmless - for example, bruises, and ending with quite serious diseases. Therefore, you should never underestimate such pains, especially if systematicity is observed in their appearance. A preventive examination in any case will not take very much time. Moreover, having passed the examination, it is possible to prevent the development of serious diseases and their complications.