Back pain under the left shoulder blade sometimes occurs due to habitual muscle tension or body overload.But sometimes such pain indicates the presence of a serious illness.In order to understand why it occurs between the shoulder blade and the spine on the left side, let's remember the organs located there.Let's take a short excursion into human anatomy.
Causes of pain
The left scapula is the name of the bony formation on the back, closely adjacent to the ribs.Its task is to protect the chest.The scapula on the left is part of the shoulder girdle and joint.Between the ribs are branches of nerves and blood vessels, which are connected by muscles and ligaments.The major muscles of the scapula and left arm attach to the scapula from behind.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is associated with:
- With diseases of the locomotor system;
- With heart pathology;
- With diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- With disorders of the functioning of the stomach.
Below we look at the causes of pain between the shoulder blade and the spine.The question of why it hurts under the left shoulder blade worries many people who experience pain.
Spinal diseases
At some points, a dull pain on the left side occurs due to abnormalities in the skeletal structure.People suffering from osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, scoliosis, hernia and protrusion, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis experience back pain on the left side.Pain comes in two forms.The first type of left scapula is associated with thoracalgia.It hurts and does not allow sudden movements, deep breathing or bending to the left.The second type of pain manifests itself as a strong throbbing pain from the back under the shoulder blade.Pain in the shoulder blades is sometimes mistakenly associated with weakness of the internal organs.
A condition called glenohumeral periarthritis is inflammation of the shoulder.The pain in the shoulder radiates to the left side of the back, thereby limiting the mobility of the left arm.The scapula joint does not work well.
Severe pain occurs in the shoulder blade area and in Sprengel's disease.This is the name given to the existence of the pterygoid scapula in a person, which appears at birth or is acquired in connection with past diseases.The pain is constant and usually worsens when you raise your arm.
When the nerve endings located between the ribs are pinched, the affected area becomes numb or tingly, and the pain intensifies when bending.
If your back hurts in the shoulder blade area, it may be because the affected muscles become inflamed.Pain occurs when muscles are strained, overworked or hit.Pain on the left side under the shoulder blade, and it is possible with the appearance of tumors.Deformation of the chest wall occurs at the back.Pain also occurs in the case of injuries to the scapula or its effects.In the first hours of the injury, there is severe pain, then pain, swelling and swelling appear during movement.In these cases, an X-ray is taken to make sure there is no fracture.Pain under the left shoulder blade is associated with osteomyelitis on the back and tuberculosis of the scapula, which occur quite rarely.
Diseases of internal organs
Diseases related to heart failure, such as angina pectoris and heart attack, also cause pain on the left side of the back.Only this type of pain differs in its nature from the previous ones.The attack in these moments is not shooting, but burning and viscous.Such attacks are triggered by great physical exertion and severe nervous shock.
The center of pain is usually located in the chest and radiates to the left side.Shortness of breath and fear of death occur.Sometimes the lower back hurts during attacks.Alleviation of attacks is done with the help of nitroglycerin and similar drugs.The duration of such phenomena does not exceed fifteen minutes.
Cases in which the drugs have no effect and the attack lasts more than half an hour indicate a heart attack.
Sometimes there is no pain, but there is a stinging, burning sensation on the left side of the back, or the arm is lost.You have to be careful with this.The condition is especially dangerous if the aorta dissects the aneurysm.The pain travels from top to bottom.It moves from the chest below the shoulder blade and then stops at the lower back.Aortic rupture and internal bleeding can occur, leading to death.The symptom of the origin of such disorders can be recognized by a sharp drop in pressure.The pain is accompanied by myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis.
The cause of the pain may be diseases related to the bronchopulmonary system.These include left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy, and lung tissue abscess.The pathology of the respiratory system manifests itself in the appearance of cough, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing in the chest, and pain when inhaling.An X-ray is taken to confirm the diagnosis.Another cause of pain is improper functioning of the stomach.These diseases require surgical intervention.In the case of a perforated stomach ulcer, an acute pain sensation appears under the left shoulder blade.It's like a knife strike.It appears when there is a defect in the stomach called an ulcer.It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, tense abdominal muscles and nausea.X-rays and fibrogastroscopy are performed to confirm the diagnosis.In acute pancreatitis, pain appears under the left ribs and in the area called the epigastrium.It also radiates to the area of the left shoulder blade.The symptoms are the same as for an ulcer.
If the spleen is damaged, a two-phase rupture develops.This and internal bleeding do not occur immediately.The main tissue is torn, but the integrity of the organ capsule remains, in which blood continues to accumulate.When its volume increases to the limit, the capsule ruptures and bleeding occurs.This is almost all types of pain under the left shoulder blade, the causes of which we have examined.The exact diagnosis is established when the patient undergoes further examination, which is carried out by a specialist.
Making a diagnosis
Determining the cause of pain under the left shoulder blade includes:
- Exploring the patient's relationship between pain and diet and lifestyle, feelings;
- Conducting a visual and medical examination.Pulse, pressure and temperature are measured;
- Taking X-rays;
- Performing an electrocardiogram and CT scan;
- performing a fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- Implementation of OAC.
How they treat pain
It must be said that the treatment depends on the diagnosis.The first step is to treat the acute life-threatening condition.In case of heart disease, medicines are prescribed to relieve heart pain.In cases where it is not possible to calm down within ten minutes, an ambulance is called.Pain resulting from an ulcer, osteochondrosis or protrusion is alleviated by a specialist.Self-medication is not recommended.Usually, the root of scapula pain is in a completely different part of the body.
The following doctors treat back pain:
- Traumatologist;
- Vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist;
- Gastroenterologist;
- Cardiologist;
- therapist;
- Psychotherapist and psychiatrist.
The on-site doctor has the right to perform the first examination.After examining the patient, he refers him to the next specialist who performs further examination.
Prevention
In order to prevent pain, it is necessary to know the cause of its occurrence.This is the only way to achieve the desired effect in preventing pain.Patients with angina pectoris, heart disease, or heart attack should always take heart medication, follow a proper diet, and limit physical and psychological activities.
Spinal disease requires long-term treatment, during which special physical exercises are performed and non-steroidal drugs are taken to prevent inflammation.
Stomach diseases require a suitable diet and special medicines.These diseases require the intervention of a psychologist in order to preserve the patient's emotional and psychological balance.Prevention requires regular medical examinations.A visit to the doctor and preventive examinations result in a low percentage of pain and illness in the near future.These measures are simply necessary.After all, it is easier to prevent pain between the shoulder blade and the spine on the left side than to get sick and treat it.