Pain under the left shoulder from back to back appears in all age categories of the population, both in young children and in the elderly.
This fact is due to a number of reasons that cause negative sensations, from prolonged exposure in an uncomfortable position for the body to severe pathologies in the body.
A bit of anatomy
The scapula is a flat triangular bone adjacent to the chest at the back in the area from the 2nd to the 7th ribs.Performs binding, protective, strengthening and motor functions.
The scapula connects the girdle of the upper limbs to the arms and sternum.It protects the shoulder joint and protects the lungs and aorta from mechanical stress.Several muscles that extend from the shoulder blades are designed to strengthen and support the shoulder joints.Thanks to these parts of the skeleton, the mobility of the shoulder girdle is ensured;their functions also extend to the lower limbs.The bone is equipped with nerve roots that emerge from the cervicothoracic region.
Distribution
The reasons for pain in the shoulder area on the left side are quite different.There may be pain;
- pain;
- like a dull ache;
- with increased intensity;
- sharp, when it takes your breath away;
- pulling;
- burning;
- permanent, not transitory;
- piercing (lumbago);
- oppression;
- pulsating;
- from the point of view.
Important!Often the cause of the pain is prolonged standing of the body in an uncomfortable position, as well as muscle strain due to physical activity.They go away on their own and usually do not require medical intervention.
Prolonged pain syndrome, as well as its systemic nature, makes consultation with a specialist necessary.Acute pain in the area of the left shoulder requires urgent medical intervention, because... the factor does not exclude the occurrence of angina pectoris, worsening of stomach ulcer or activation of inflammatory processes in the pancreas.
The pain that affects the lower part of the left shoulder blade from the back is often the result of injuries, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and pathologies of internal organs.
Musculoskeletal system
Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are provoked by various injuries:
- fractures and cracks caused by collisions, falls, road accidents, etc.The aching pain intensifies when a person moves.Also, the damaged area swells, a bruise appears and mobility decreases;
- dislocations, which are observed in rare cases and occur when there is a strong pull of the arm or a blow to the shoulder blade.In this case, the bone rotates, shifts and takes an abnormal position.Its lower edge is compressed between the ribs.
The muscles that connect the scapula to the spine are subjected to excessive stress, causing stretching and possible tearing.
Pain in the area of the left shoulder blade on the back caused by the injury occurs immediately after the injury and goes away only when the patient recovers.
In addition to injuries, pain in the area of the shoulder blade from the back is often caused by diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Pain syndrome under the scapula, which is a consequence of cervical osteochondrosis (dystrophic-degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs of the spine), is spontaneous and can be painful and pulling.Increased pain is observed when a person stays in a sitting position for a long time and during physical exercises.Taking medications does not bring relief.
A compressed and inflamed intercostal nerve causes excruciating pain in the sternum, in the area where it lies.The syndrome intensifies when a person moves, coughs, sneezes, takes a deep breath and changes body position.Constant or paroxysmal pain syndrome is sharp, strong, in nature.Sometimes the pain appears in the area of the heart, in the lower back and affects the neck and arms.It can also affect the shoulder blade.
Manifestations of intercostal neuralgia are similar to symptoms caused by cardiac problems, cholecystitis, angina pectoris and pleurisy.Only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis.
When there is inflammation in the tendon of the shoulder and the capsule of the shoulder joint without damage to the joint and cartilage (humeral periarthritis), the pain affects the shoulder joint, sometimes the area between the shoulder blades and the bone itself.They are sharp and intensified at night.The disease is accompanied by slight swelling of the shoulder, elevated temperature in the range of 37-37.4ºС and limited circular movements of the shoulder.The pathology is widespread and is diagnosed as a result of injuries, bruises and increased loads on the shoulder joint.
With inflammation of the cervical muscles (myositis), caused by overload or infection, severe pain affects the entire cervical-brachial region, radiating to the scapula, occipital region and arms.
Muscle pain in the scapula area occurs due to physical strain or impact on the bone.
Pain due to malignant lesions of the bone structure or soft tissues refers to the initial manifestation of the disease.At first, they do not change in intensity and appear periodically, which makes it difficult to diagnose in time.The development of pathological processes leads to an increase in the severity of negative sensations that follow a person even at rest, mainly at night.It is not eliminated by non-narcotic analgesics.Then, the bone deforms, the surrounding tissue swells, the skin over the malignant focus changes, and non-traumatic fractures occur.
In the presence of an inflammatory process in the bone (osteomyelitis) caused by streptococci, staphylococcus, salmonella, E. coli and other infectious agents, the patient is exposed to high temperature, chills and increased heart rate.There are complaints of back pain in the scapula and muscles, which subside when the abscess is opened.
Please note!Painful manifestations under or above the left shoulder blade and in the bone area are inherent in congenital anomalies.These include aplasia (absence of an organ), hypoplasia (insufficient bone development), pterygoid scapula, and Sprengel's disease.At the same time, a person often suffers from cosmetic defects and limited motor activity.
Intervertebral hernia and protrusion of the discs of the cervical spine lead to compression of the nerve roots by bony formations, which causes pain during movement, especially when tilting the head.
Heart and blood vessels
Back pain under the left shoulder is often the result of problems in the cardiovascular system.
Substernal pain in the central or left side, extending to the upper part of the body, signals a myocardial infarction.At the same time, a strong burning sensation can be noticed under the left shoulder blade from the back.It is impossible to clearly characterize the pain syndrome.It can be painful, or it can appear in an acute form.
Lack of blood supply to the myocardium causes an attack of angina, characterized by retrosternal pressing or squeezing pain, often radiating to the left shoulder blade, arm and lower jaw.At the same time, blood pressure may increase, sweating and pallor may appear.
Angina attacks usually occur in stressful situations or from increased physical activity.They are treated with nitroglycerin.When the duration of pain exceeds 20 minutes or when medications do not provide relief, the presence of myocardial infarction can be assumed.
High blood pressure or atherosclerotic lesions lead to aneurysm (enlargement) or dissection of the aorta (incomplete rupture or rupture of the endothelium with the subsequent spread of blood between the layers of the vessel wall).
Small aneurysms do not manifest themselves in any way.As they grow, a person begins to feel a dull pain in the back.A dissecting aneurysm is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture.When a tear occurs, the pain sensation is sharp and short-lived.It affects the chest and back, leading to a reflex drop in blood pressure and fainting.After a certain period of time, a person feels a burning pain in the chest, arms, neck, under the left shoulder blade.The syndrome cannot be eliminated using available medications.In this condition, death is very likely, so urgent medical attention is required.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is caused by:
- ischemia - lack of blood supply to the heart;
- pericarditis - inflammatory processes in the pericardium;
- endocarditis - an inflammatory disease of the inner lining of the heart;
- myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle.
Disorders in the autonomic nervous system cause vegetative-vascular dystonia.The disease is characterized by numerous manifestations, including pain under the left shoulder, similar to heart pain.In addition, the person suffers from nervousness, memory impairment, increased sweating, etc.
Respiratory organs
Pain under the left shoulder is not excluded due to respiratory diseases.
With left-sided pneumonia, there is slight pain in the chest or under the left shoulder blade - dull, aching in nature, which intensifies during movement or with deep breathing.Accompanying symptoms include fever at critical levels, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, etc.
When necrotic cavities are created in the left lung, accompanied by inflammatory processes and pus formation, pain is observed in the chest area, in some cases radiating to the scapula.Pathology is accompanied by cough with purulent sputum, shortness of breath and lack of air during breathing.
The diagnosis of left-sided pleurisy (fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity) is made on the basis of the following symptoms: acute pain in the chest, sometimes radiating under the shoulder blade, fever, shortness of breath, dry cough and other manifestations.
Important!Almost all diseases of the respiratory system, accompanied by pain, are characterized by a cough of various types.
The appearance of pain under the left shoulder blade is also possible due to acute bronchitis, tracheitis or tracheobronchitis.
Gastrointestinal tract
Pain in the area of the left shoulder blade is often inherent in pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and requires urgent medical intervention.
Ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum are characterized by paroxysmal pain.They are caused by prolonged fasting.They can appear immediately after eating or later.
Perforated ulcer causes unbearable acute pain, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.Failure to provide assistance to the patient within 12 hours of the onset of illness leads to acute intoxication and may cause the patient's death.
Acute inflammation of the pancreas provokes pain in the upper, middle or left part of the abdomen.In some cases they extend below the shoulder blade.Pathology causes nausea, vomiting, bloating and other disorders of the digestive system.
Some injuries cause the spleen to rupture.This does not lead to immediate internal bleeding, but causes a dull ache under the left shoulder blade.In such cases, delay in treatment can cost the life of the patient.
In addition, esophageal spasm, calculous cholecystitis, gastroesophagitis, and reflux are to blame for pain in the area of the left shoulder blade.
Diagnostic methods, treatment
In each case, the specialist asks the patient about accompanying manifestations, palpates the painful area, detects blood pressure and the stability of the heart rhythm to rule out pathological processes that may require urgent action.
Self-diagnosis is strictly prohibited.If your back hurts for no reason for a long period, you should visit a therapist who, based on the general clinical picture, will determine the need for special diagnostics.
An accurate determination of the causes of pathology is made using:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- urine analysis;
- X-rays for possible problems with the musculoskeletal system and respiratory organs;
- electrocardiogram to rule out heart disease;
- computed tomography and magnetic resonance with insufficient data obtained from radiography;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy for suspected diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Depending on these diagnostic measures, the therapist determines why the pain is manifested, then refers to a specialized doctor (traumatologist, vertebrologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist or neurologist), who determines the treatment regimen.
Important!For pain under the left shoulder blade, analgesics only weaken the syndrome and often prevent a reliable diagnosis.Medicines that relieve pain should only be prescribed by a specialist as part of a comprehensive treatment.
There is no universal remedy for eliminating pain under the left shoulder blade.As the patient recovers, the negative symptom will gradually disappear.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and includes a number of methods.
To avoid pain in the shoulder blades, you should take care of your health and if a negative symptom appears, immediately seek help from a specialist.