Pain that appears on the left under the shoulder blade is a fairly common symptom that can occur in men, women and even children.At first glance, such symptoms seem trivial, but in fact, pain under the left shoulder blade in the back can be a harbinger of a number of dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons for the appearance of such a pain syndrome, and they are usually not at all related to problems in the shoulder blades themselves.Most often, the cause of pain is inflammatory and pathological processes in other organs and systems.
Why do I have pain under my left shoulder blade?
To understand why it hurts under the shoulder blade, we need to remember the anatomical structure of a person.After all, those organs that are nearby hurt most often, although it happens that the pain radiates along the nerve fibers far from the source of the disease.
The left shoulder blade is located on the ribs that form the ribcage.The ribs are connected to each other by ligaments and intercostal muscles, and between each rib there are intercostal vessels and intercostal nerves.In turn, the intercostal nerves originate from the spinal cord, which is located in the spinal trunk centrally on the scapula.Along with the ribs, the scapula protects the left heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.
Based on this localization, the causes of pain can be divided into two main groups:
- Pain associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as muscle pain.
- Pain associated with pathological changes in the functioning of internal organs (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, spleen, respiratory organs).
The cause of pain in the scapula can be determined based on its nature, intensity and location:
- Pain radiating to left shoulder blade.The pathological source of such pain may be located far from the site of pain.Most often, this symptom is characteristic of diseases of the stomach or heart.
- Pain under the left shoulder blade.It indicates the presence of a prolonged chronic process.Such painful manifestations can be associated with chronic heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Dull pain under left shoulder blade.Most often, this happens against the background of the development of thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis.Usually, the pain spreads from the back of the head to the back, arm, under the shoulder blade and is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness (numbness) in the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Intense pain is not characteristic of the scapular region, which means that it serves as a signal of a pathological condition that can be life-threatening.At best, severe pain may indicate intercostal neuralgia, but more often such sensations indicate the presence of a peptic ulcer and the development of a pre-infarction condition.
- Sharp pain under left shoulder blade.Intercostal neuralgia can cause sharp pain - when inhaling, the pain syndrome clearly intensifies and there is a feeling that you are "taking your breath".Acute pain may be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms throughout the left side of the chest, radiating to the left scapula.Less often, severe pain may occur during an exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is throbbing and spasmodic.
- Shooting pain under left shoulder blade.It may indicate the initial stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain starts just below the occipital bone and radiates to the left (or right) side of the back.
- Burning under the shoulder blade.This symptom may indicate prolonged intercostal neuralgia, attacks of angina or myocardial infarction.Sometimes the appearance of a burning sensation under the shoulder blade may indicate the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia.In this case, the pain is accompanied by tachycardia, trembling of the hands and a strong feeling of fear.
- Constant pain under the scapula on the left.Such a pain syndrome may indicate the development of left-sided pneumonia.In this case, the pain is accompanied by a dry cough, low temperature, a feeling of lack of air and shortness of breath.
- Shooting pain under left shoulder blade.Knee pain (so-called "lumbago") is most often a sign of osteochondrosis, but it can also indicate intercostal neuralgia.Tingling in the back that occurs during physical exertion, deep breathing or coughing can be a sign of the development of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressing pain.It indicates the development of osteochondrosis and may also indicate the initial stage of coronary heart disease and exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain.Most often, the left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic or cervical spine manifests itself in this way.Throbbing pain may indicate a herniated disc or incipient aortic dissection.
- Sharp pain under left shoulder blade.Indicates dangerous conditions and requires immediate medical intervention.The causes of the pain syndrome can be: attacks of angina pectoris, left bulging of the intervertebral disc, gastric ulcer.
The nature of the pain and its location can vary, but most often pain under the left shoulder blade is a very dangerous symptom that requires immediate medical intervention.
What diseases can cause pain under the left shoulder blade?
The pain syndrome on the left under the scapula is most often caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, heart, stomach and bronchopulmonary system.
Let's consider the possible diseases accompanied by pain under the left shoulder blade and their accompanying symptoms.
| Diseases | The nature of pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Humeroscapular periatritis | The pain appears in the shoulder area and radiates to the scapula. | The patient cannot move freely (he cannot put his hands behind his head due to pain);there is a crunch in the joints when moving. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | The pain is localized in one of the intercostal spaces and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness.The pain is worse when bending to the left. | Redness may appear along the inflamed area and characteristic rashes may appear on the skin. |
| Diseases of the back muscles (myositis, inflammation, lesions) | Back pain comes on suddenly and can be painful. | The pain appears on the left side when the scapula is injured or when the muscles are strained. |
| Oncology | Pain under the left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | With tumors of the scapula, the back of the chest is deformed. |
| Injuries | Severe pain, especially the first few hours immediately after an injury. | If the pain increases with movement, there is swelling or swelling, this may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain occurs either constantly or as "lumbago". | Unpleasant sensations appear in the spine - a feeling that a "stake has been driven in". |
| Heart diseases | ||
| Angina pectoris | Pain under the left scapula at the back occurs during exertion and radiates to the left arm, left scapula, and sometimes to the left jaw. | Accompanied by shortness of breath and fear of death. |
| Myocardial infarction | Burning pain under the left scapula on the side of the heart. | Heartache cannot be eased with pills.The left arm goes numb, there is a strong shortness of breath and the sternum begins to "burn". |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Pain on the left side. | Accompanied by chills, more often occurs at night and fever. |
| Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta | The pain syndrome migrates from top to bottom.Initially, the pain appears in the chest, then gradually moves under the left shoulder blade and further to the lower back. | A sharp drop in pressure. |
| Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system | ||
| Left-sided pneumonia | Moderately intense pain. | Cough with sputum, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | The pain occurs when breathing | Shortness of breath, feeling of wheezing in the lungs. |
| Gastrointestinal pathologies | ||
| Stomach ulcer | Pain under the shoulder blade is accompanied by a burning sensation (usually at night). | The pain is related to eating. |
| Perforated ulcer | Sharp and stabbing pain (like stabbing). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | The pain is of a throbbing nature and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Flatulence, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms accompanying the pain syndrome can help identify the disease caused by pain on the left side under the shoulder blade:
- The pain is worse after eating– peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- The pain is worse when sneezing- bone diseases, injuries, pleurisy, neuralgia, joint and muscle pathologies.
- Pain occurs when turning the head– osteochondrosis, clavicle injuries.
- Pain occurs when swallowing– esophageal diseases, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain accompanied by shortness of breath– pleurisy, cardiac pathologies, intercostal neuralgia.
- Pain causes coughing- damage to the respiratory system.
- Appearance of temperature– infectious and inflammatory processes: pericarditis, purulent pleurisy, subphrenal abscess.
- Pain accompanied by numbness in the left arm– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, myocardial infarction.
- Nausea and belching accompany the pain– gastrointestinal pathologies (pancreatitis, ulcer, gastritis).
- The pain causes numbness of the tongue– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
Pregnant women experience pain under the shoulder blade for the same reasons as other people, but the expectant mother has a much higher risk of developing certain diseases.The most likely cause of back pain in a pregnant woman is osteochondrosis (due to greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity) and overstrain of the back muscles.
In children, pain under the scapula usually occurs due to injuries, neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnosis and treatment.Which doctor should I contact?
You should choose a doctor with whom to make an appointment depending on the nature of the pain and its manifestations:
- Emergency doctor- with sharp, intense pain, burning in the chest, shortness of breath, when the pain is accompanied by severe dizziness, severe weakness or loss of consciousness.
- Neurologist– if the pain is related to loads or movements.
- Traumatologist– if the pain occurs after an injury.
- Cardiologist– with a burning sensation behind the sternum, passing under the scapula, in the left arm, in the jaw.
- Pulmonologist (or therapist)– if the pain intensifies when breathing and is accompanied by cough, shortness of breath and fever.
- Gastroenterologist- if the pain is related to eating and is accompanied by dyspeptic disorders.
- A surgeon– pain under the scapula is accompanied by deformation of the sternum, with sharp pain accompanied by high fever.
If it is difficult to decide on the choice of a doctor yourself, you should contact a therapist who, based on the results of the examination, will schedule an appointment with a specialist.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed depending on the reasons that caused the pain under the left shoulder blade, behind:
- General examination - taking an anamnesis and questioning the patient, visual examination (measurement of pulse, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, auscultation), taking blood and urine tests.
- X-ray examination, CT and MRI - determine pathologies of the spine and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound of abdominal organs, FGDS - gastrointestinal diseases.
- Ultrasound and EKG - are prescribed to study cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment scheme for pain under the left scapula is chosen specifically for each disease - there is no single treatment protocol.
important!Treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is primarily treatment of the disease causing the pain syndrome.
If the pain is related to cardiovascular pathologies, cardiac drugs and a diet sparing physical and psycho-emotional activity are prescribed.
Gastrointestinal pathologies that cause pain are treated by taking antacids and prescribing a gentle diet.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are treated with long-term therapy, including taking anti-inflammatory drugs and performing special therapeutic exercises.
Surgical treatment is prescribed when conservative therapy is ineffective.Surgery is mandatory for perforated ulcers, severe gastrointestinal pathologies, rupture of the spleen and intervertebral hernia.
If you feel pain under the left shoulder blade, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor to avoid the appearance and development of life-threatening pathologies.