Back pain under the left shoulder blade is a clinical symptom of many diseases.The nature of the pain syndrome helps the doctor to make a preliminary diagnosis and determine the tactics of the diagnostic examination.The intensity of the pain can be acute or chronic, the sensations can be dull, aching, stabbing, cutting, spasmodic.In the pain projection, there is a visceral pain syndrome related to organ pathology.In the area of the left scapula, the upper part of the stomach, the cervical and thoracic spine, the muscles of the scapula, the left lung and pleura, and the muscular skeleton of the back are projected.
Sometimes there is pain that radiates from a distant organ, such as the heart and autonomic ganglia.Discomfort under the left shoulder blade requires conservative therapy or emergency medical care.
Stomach ulcer
Ulcers in the upper part of the stomach cause aching or cramping pain in the epigastric region and under the left shoulder blade.Discomfort with eating.Increased pain is observed on an empty stomach and at night ("hunger" pain).After eating, the pain subsides.Eating spicy, fatty, starchy foods causes vomiting, which brings relief.The appearance of the pain syndrome is characterized by seasonality - the aggravation of the disease occurs in spring and autumn.
Perforation of the ulcer (formation of a through hole in the stomach with the abdominal cavity) causes acute stabbing pain under the left shoulder blade, due to irritation of the peritoneum by the acid content of the stomach.Abdominal muscle tension, repeated vomiting, pale skin, cold sweat, drop in blood pressure and increased heart rate occur.The pain is increasing in nature and can cause confusion.A perforated ulcer is an acute condition that requires urgent surgical care.
Degenerative diseases of the spine
Degenerative changes in the cervical and upper thoracic spine cause pain, which is localized in the area of the left shoulder blade.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, disc herniation cause pinching of the nerve roots innervating the left side of the chest.
The pain syndrome is painful, constant or periodic, aggravated by intense physical activity or prolonged static position (sitting, standing).It is characterized by a cracking of the neck and thoracic spine during movement, a tightening of the muscular ligaments of the back, and a feeling of "bent stakes" in the spine.
In case of intercostal neuralgia, a burning pain is observed in the area of the intercostal spaces, which spreads towards the left shoulder blade.The discomfort increases during movement, the chest is painful to touch.
Scapular-costal syndrome
The disease is associated with inflammation or damage to the levator scapulae muscle.The tendons of the muscle are attached to the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae.The pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade when bending the neck and moving the upper shoulder girdle.The pain is constantly aching and increases in intensity when lifting the arm, carrying heavy objects, lying down or standing for a long time.Aggravation of the disease is observed after physical exertion and hypothermia.
Pleuropneumonia and pleurisy
In the pathological process, pneumonia affecting the pleura causes a dull point pain under the left shoulder blade.The pain syndrome intensifies at the height of inspiration, when coughing, sneezing, and decreases when lying down on the affected side.It is characterized by an increase in body temperature of 39-40 degrees, a dry cough or the release of mucus-purulent sputum.Dry left-sided pleurisy is characterized by stabbing pain at the height of inspiration, which decreases with limited movement of the left side of the chest.When listening to the lungs, a pleural friction noise is determined.
Myositis
Inflammation of the back muscles - myositis leads to localized cutting pain under the left shoulder blade.The pain syndrome intensifies when the body is tilted in the opposite direction, decreases after thermal procedures and at rest.Discomfort in the upper back occurs after awkward movements, hypothermia or being in a draft.
Angina and heart attack
Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, which often cause pain behind the sternum and under the left shoulder blade.Angina pectoris causes acute squeezing pain.The provoking factor is emotional stress or physical activity.The discomfort lasts for up to 15 minutes and subsides with rest or after taking a nitroglycerin tablet.
Myocardial infarction occurs due to the blockage of a coronary artery by a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque.As a result, myocardial ischemia occurs.The disease is characterized by acute compressive pain behind the sternum, which spreads under the left shoulder blade, in the lower jaw and in the left arm.
The pain syndrome increases, lasts more than 15 minutes, and is not relieved by nitroglycerin.A decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia, numbness of the fingers of the left hand and fear of death can be observed.If the clinical picture of the disease appears, an ambulance should be called and the patient should be transferred to a cardiology hospital.
Vegetative crises
Cardiac type NCD (neurocirculatory dystonia) causes clinical conditions that resemble angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.The pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade and behind the sternum, spreads along the left arm, to the left half of the jaw, to the interscapular area.The disease is characterized by tremors in the body, difficulty breathing, heaviness in the chest, panic fear of death, feeling of lack of air, lump in the throat.The pain syndrome does not have a constant localization and can occur in the abdomen, neck or head.Taking sedative drugs and tranquilizers normalizes the general condition.
If pain occurs under the left shoulder blade, consult a specialist to identify the cause and treat the disease.Timely medical help prevents the progression of the pathology and the risk of complications.