Sometimes we experience discomfort in the back on the left side. It can be different pains - pulling, stabbing, aching. They may 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 the complaints and symptoms together will help the doctor choose the direction of the diagnosis. After all, immediate help is often needed.
The anatomical structure of the body
If we visualize our body from the back, it will appear that the left shoulder blade is located on the ribs involved in the formation of the chest. Between the ribs there are nerves and blood vessels. They are connected by muscle fibers.
The scapula performs the protective function of internal organs - heart, lungs, stomach and pancreas, spleen.
Based on the anatomical structure of the body, pain under the left shoulder blade can be conditionally divided into:
- associated with pathology of the musculoskeletal system,
- associated with pathology of any internal organ.
Why there is discomfort on the left
Many of us with the appearance of left side pain, first of all, consider problems in the work of the heart. In fact, more often the cause is a spinal problem. There may also be damage in the work of internal organs.
Let us consider in more detail the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade. They may occur when:
- Problems with the spine and locomotor system: osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, scapular injury, rib fractures, myofascial syndrome, Sprengel's disease.
- Diseases of the bronchi and lungs: pneumonia, localized on the left, dry pleurisy, bronchitis in the acute stage of the course, tracheitis, abscess of the left lung.
- Diseases of the cardiological system: angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart attack, valve prolapse.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines: stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophagitis, reflux, esophageal spasm.
- Psychosomatic course of disease with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
The relationship between pain and illness
Patients can characterize the nature of pain from pain to sores and burns. There are some typical signs of pain that distinguish it from other diseases:
| The name of the disease | Pain that is characteristic |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Pain in the left shoulder blade area burns naturally, causing a feeling of compression of the retrosternal space. It occurs in the same place, moving to the left - back, shoulder blades, arms. By pressing, as if squeezing the heart pain, the spread of myocardial infarction is possible. In this case, immediate hospitalization is required. |
| aortic aneurysm | The pain is sharp, shooting, growing, going left behind and under the shoulder blades. The condition progresses rapidly and is life threatening for patients. |
| 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 scapula. |
| Left side pneumonia | The pain is not strong, aching, can be characterized as a point. Can increase slightly with deep movement and inspiration. |
| Osteochondrosis of the vertebrae | Often, the pain is localized in the lower part of the neck. It is indicated by a sensation of pain, aggravated by sharp movements of the head. It can give into the hands, accompanied by spinning of the head, numbness of the limbs. Pain under the scapula is weak, aching and pulling, there may be an increase in pain in a prolonged sitting position or after doing physical exercise. As a rule, this happens in the evening. In the morning, stiffness of the spinal muscles is felt. Unlike heart disease, it does not go away after taking medication. There may be severe headaches that do not depend on stress. |
| Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers in the stomach and intestines | Pain in gastrointestinal tract disease can be seasonal with attacks. Pain syndrome can occur as a result of prolonged hunger, immediately after eating, a few hours after eating, at night. The pain disappears after satisfying hunger, after food comes out of the stomach, after vomiting or taking medicine. When the ulcer is perforated, the pain radiates under the left shoulder blade, it is acute and unbearable. If you suspect this disease, you should immediately go to the hospital. At the onset of disease progression, pain may subside after vomiting. With reflux esophagitis, the accompanying symptoms are heartburn, belching, and digestive disorders. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | Sharp shots or belt pain are felt continuously or in an attack. Probably happened on one side. Increased during sudden movements - sneezing, coughing, severe shortness of breath, walking, physical activity, palpation of painful sites. |
| Vegetative-vascular dystonia and myofascial syndrome | With myofascial syndrome, the pain is dull, coming from the depths of the tissue. It can occur during rest and during physical activity. It can range in intensity from mild to severe. Objectively, during the examination, patients with VVD experienced irritability, memory impairment, sweating, tachycardia, and trembling hands. Often there are changes in the heart muscle. The nature of pain is similar to that of the liver. But a heart examination did not confirm the diagnosis. |
Diagnosis of diseases that cause pain syndrome
To find out what is causing the pain, a detailed examination will be needed. First of all, you need to consult a therapist or doctor. He, based on patient complaints and examinations, will determine the type of research that needs to be conducted.
The early stages of treatment, if the pain spreads to the left shoulder blade, should go to a local therapist. He or she will be able to make an initial examination and set all the necessary examinations. And already with the existing exams, you can go to consult a narrow specialist.
Doctors will not be able to diagnose the disease solely from complaints of pain syndrome. Complaints will be a motivator in a direction that requires a more thorough diagnosis. Therefore, when contacting a doctor, it is necessary to know exactly the answers to questions about the nature of pain, its localization and the corresponding causes - the relationship with food intake, physical and emotional stress.
If myositis is suspected in a patient, detailed blood tests must be performed to confirm the inflammatory process.
To diagnose the disease more accurately, it is necessary to conduct a set of examinations.
The first task is to exclude conditions that require emergency medical treatment. These include: gastric and duodenal ulcers, heart attacks, rupture of the aorta.
To understand exactly what is painful under the left shoulder blade, you need to undergo the following examination:
- Visual examination and palpation of pain localization. Temperature, blood pressure and pulse will be taken.
- X-rays in some projections to confirm or deny problems with the spine and lungs.
- ECG to check heart work.
- To clarify the localization of the problem with the spine, a CT scan or MRI may be needed.
- If gastrointestinal problems are suspected, FGS can be prescribed - fibrogastroduodenoscopy.
- General blood and biochemical tests.
For some types of pain, first aid can be given with analgesics and antispasmodics. But their reception does not eliminate the cause, but only drowns out the pain from the left under the shoulder blades, which, after the end of the medication, will surely return again. To prevent further pain, it is necessary to know the cause.
In any case, if the left shoulder blade is painful, after stopping the first signs of pain, should undergo a full examination. After all, often the source of the pain that radiates to the shoulder blades can be located elsewhere. Therefore, when the pain syndrome appears in the scapular area, it is necessary to visit: therapists, neurologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, traumatologists, with the exception of pathology on the part of all listed specialists. , consultation with a psychotherapist is necessary.
Treatment of diseases that cause pain syndrome
The purpose of treatment will depend on the diagnosis of the disease. For each specific disease, there is a specific treatment regimen. They must include recommendations on physical activity and diet. The drug regimen is described in detail. They are combined depending on the symptoms and complaints to relieve the patient’s life -threatening acute symptoms.
In any case, you need to remember that pain in the left shoulder blade can only be removed with medication recommended by a specialist. Do not use the advice of relatives and friends. After all, without medical help it is difficult to determine the nature of the pain. Medications alone can cause delays in cardiac or gastric pathology.
- For example, with reflux after examination, medication may be prescribed to reduce stomach acidity, to facilitate its movement in the intestines. In this case, it is worth limiting the amount of food consumed, you can not bend 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, heart medication should be taken first. If the pain in the left shoulder blade does not disappear after 10 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
- If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, the best prevention is continuous intake of necessary medications, diet, mental stability and not excessive physical activity.
- If pain in the scapula is indicated due to problems with the spine, it is necessary to perform a set of special exercises for a long time and follow the recommendations of specialists in taking medication.
- If the occurrence of pain under the shoulder blade on the left side is associated with stomach and intestinal problems, diet and medications will help to overcome it. In this case, psycho-emotional balance is important, as often stress causes ulcers. A positive attitude and mastering relaxation and relaxation techniques are necessary.
If there are no results from conservative treatment, as well as when perforated ulcers, large hernias of the spine, rupture of the spleen are detected, surgical intervention is required.
In principle, to avoid serious health problems, an annual dispensary check -up is necessary. It is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations to exclude the occurrence of the disease in the near future.