Sometimes we feel discomfort in the back on the left side. It can be pains of a different nature - pulling, stabbing, hurting. 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 complaints and symptoms will help the doctor to choose the direction of diagnosis. After all, immediate assistance is often needed.
The anatomical structure of the body
If we visualize our body from the back, we will see that the left shoulder blade is located on the ribs involved in the formation of the chest. Between the ribs are the nerves and blood vessels. They are connected by muscle fibers.
The scapula performs a protective function of internal organs - the heart, lungs, stomach and pancreas, spleen.
Based on the anatomical structure of the body, the pain under the left shoulder blade can be conditionally divided into:
- associated with the pathology of the musculoskeletal system,
- associated with the pathology of any internal organ.
Why there is discomfort on the left side
Many of us with the appearance of left-sided pain, first of all, consider the problems in the work of the heart. In fact, most often the cause is a problem with the spine. There may also be malfunctions in the work of internal organs.
Let's consider in more detail the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade. They can occur when:
- Spinal and musculoskeletal problems: osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, scapular lesions, 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 course, tracheitis, lung abscess on the left side.
- Diseases of the cardiological system: angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart attack, valve prolapse.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines: gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophagitis, reflux, esophageal spasm.
- Psychosomatic course of the disease with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
Relationship between pain and disease
Patients can characterize the nature of the pain, ranging from aching to cutting and burning. There are several typical signs of pain that distinguish it from other diseases:
| disease name | Characteristic pain |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | The pain in the region of the left scapula is burning in nature, causes a feeling of compression of the retrosternal space. It occurs in the same place, moving to the left side - the back, shoulder blade, arm. Pressing, as if pressing heart pain, the spread of myocardial infarction is possible. In this case, urgent hospitalization is necessary. |
| aortic aneurysm | The pain is sharp, throbbing, increasing, goes to the left in the back and under the shoulder blade. The disease develops rapidly and threatens the patient's life. |
| Pleurisy | The pain is sharp and throbbing, 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 piercing pain in the shoulder blade. |
| Left side pneumonia | The pain is not strong, aching, can be characterized as a point. May increase slightly with movement and deep inspiration. |
| Osteochondrosis of the vertebrae | Most often, the pain is localized in the lower neck. It is manifested by painful sensations, aggravated by a sharp movement of the head. It can yield in the hand, be accompanied by a rotation of the head, by numbness of the limb. The pain under the scapula is weak, aching and pulling, there may be an increase in pain when sitting for a long time or after physical exertion. As a rule, this happens in the evening. In the morning, stiffness in the muscles of the spine is felt. Unlike heart pain, it does not go away after taking medication. There may be severe headaches that do not depend on pressure. |
| Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers of the stomach and intestines | Pain in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be seasonal with attacks. Pain syndrome can occur due to prolonged hunger, immediately after eating, a few hours after eating, at night. The pain goes away after satisfying hunger, after food leaves the stomach, after vomiting or taking medicine. When the ulcer is perforated, the pain radiates under the left shoulder blade, it is sharp and unbearable. If you suspect this disease, you should immediately go to the hospital. At the beginning of the development of the disease, the pain may subside after vomiting. With reflux esophagitis, the accompanying symptoms will be heartburn, belching and digestive disorders. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | A sharp throbbing or pain in the belt is felt constantly or in fits. May occur on one side. Increases during sudden movements - sneezing, coughing, severe shortness of breath, walking, physical activity, palpation of the site of pain. |
| Vegetative-vascular dystonia and myofascial syndrome | With myofascial syndrome, the pain is dull, coming from deep within the tissues. It can occur both at rest and during physical activity. Its intensity can vary from mild to severe. Objectively, during examination, patients with VVD suffer from irritability, memory impairment, sweating, tachycardia and tremor of the hands. Often there are changes in the heart muscle. The nature of the pain is similar to that of the heart. But examination of the heart does not confirm the diagnosis. |
Diagnosis of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
In order to find out what is causing the pain, a detailed examination will be necessary. First of all, you need to consult a therapist or a doctor. He, based on the complaints and examination of the patient, will determine what kind of research should be carried out.
The first step in treatment, if the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade, should be a visit to the local therapist. He will be able to do an initial examination and prescribe all the necessary examinations. And already with the existing examinations, you can opt for a consultation with narrow specialists.
The doctor will not be able to diagnose the disease only from complaints of pain syndrome. Complaints will be a push in the direction where further diagnosis is needed. Therefore, when contacting a doctor, it is necessary to know exactly the answers to the questions about the nature of the pain, its localization and its concomitant causes - the relationship with food intake, physical and emotional stress.
If myositis is suspected in a patient, a detailed blood test should be performed to confirm the inflammatory process.
To more accurately diagnose the disease, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations.
The first task is to rule out conditions that require emergency medical attention. These include: gastric and duodenal ulcers, heart attack, aortic rupture.
To understand exactly what hurts under the left shoulder blade, you need to undergo the following examinations:
- Visual inspection and palpation of the localization of pain. Temperature, blood pressure and pulse will be taken.
- X-ray in several projections to confirm or refute the problems of the spine and the lungs.
- ECG to check the work of the heart.
- To clarify the location of the problem with the spine, a CT scan or MRI may be required.
- If gastrointestinal problems are suspected, FGS can be prescribed - fibrogastroduodenoscopy.
- General and biochemical blood tests.
For certain types of pain, first aid can be provided with analgesics and antispasmodics. But their reception does not eliminate the cause, but only drowns out the pain in the left under the scapula, which after the end of the drug will definitely return. To prevent the pain from recurring, it is necessary to find out the cause.
In any case, if the left scapula hurts, after stopping the first signs of pain, it is necessary to undergo a full cycle of examinations. After all, the source of pain radiating to the shoulder blade can often be located in another place. Therefore, when a pain syndrome appears in the region of the scapula, it is necessary to consult: a therapist, a neurologist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a traumatologist, excluding pathology on the partof all listed specialists, a consultation with a psychotherapist is necessary.
Treatment of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
The goal of treatment will depend on the diagnosis of the disease. For each specific disease, there are specific treatment regimens. They must include recommendations on physical activity and diet. The treatment regimen is described in detail. They are combined according to symptoms and complaints to relieve acute symptoms that threaten the patient's life.
In any case, you need to remember that the pain in the left shoulder blade can be removed only with drugs recommended by a specialist. Do not resort to the advice of relatives and friends. After all, without medical help it is difficult to determine the nature of the pain. Self-medication can lead to a delay in cardiac or gastric pathologies.
- For example, in case of reflux after the examination, drugs can be prescribed to reduce the acidity of the stomach, in order to facilitate its movement through the intestines. In this case, it is worth limiting the amount of food eaten, you should not bend over immediately after eating.
- With osteochondrosis, physiotherapy exercises, swimming, dry heat and increased physical activity can be prescribed as medical procedures. All of these measures are used as prophylaxis after the pain subsides.
- If there is a diagnosis of ischemia, cardiac medication should be taken initially. If the pain in the left shoulder blade does not go away after 10 minutes, you need to call an ambulance.
- If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, the best prevention is the constant intake of necessary medications, diet, mental stability and not excessive physical activity.
- If pain in the scapula occurs 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 medications.
- If the appearance of pain under the left shoulder blade is associated with problems with the stomach and intestines, diet and medication will help to cope. In this case, the psycho-emotional balance is important, because often stress provokes an ulcer. A positive attitude and mastery of relaxation and relaxation technique are necessary.
If there is no result from conservative treatment, as well as when a perforated ulcer, a large hernia of the spine, a rupture of the spleen is detected, surgical intervention is required.
In principle, in order to avoid serious health problems, an annual examination at the dispensary is necessary. It is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations to exclude the occurrence of diseases in the near future.