Pain under the left shoulder blade from behind sometimes occurs due to a normal muscle strain or overload of the body.But sometimes such pain indicates the presence of a serious illness.To understand why it occurs between the scapula and the spine on the left side, let's remember the organs located there.Let's take a quick excursion into human anatomy.
Causes of pain
The left shoulder blade is the bone formation on the back that is closely adjacent to the ribs.Its job is to protect the chest.The shoulder blade on the left is part of the shoulder girdle and part of the joint.Between the ribs are the ends of nerves and blood vessel branches, which are connected by muscles and ligaments.The main muscles of the scapula and left arm are attached to the scapula from behind.
Pain under the left shoulder blade is associated with:
- For diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- With cardiac pathology;
- For diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- With dysfunction of the stomach.
Below, let's look at the causes of pain between the shoulder blade and spine.The question of why it hurts under the left shoulder blade worries many people who suffer from pain.
Spinal diseases
In some places there is dull pain on the left side due to disorders of the skeletal structure.People with osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, scoliosis, hernia and protrusion, spondylosis and spondylolisthesis suffer from back pain on the left side.Pain comes in two forms.The first type of pain in the left scapula is associated with thoracic pain.It hurts and does not allow sudden movements, deep breathing or bending to the left.The second type of pain under the shoulder blade from behind is manifested by severe throbbing pain.Pain in the shoulder blades is sometimes mistakenly associated with weakness of the internal organs.
The so-called glenohumeral periarthritis is an inflammation of the shoulder.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 presence of a pterygoid scapula in a person, occurring at birth or acquired in connection with previous diseases.The pain is constant and usually increases when you raise your arm.
When the nerve endings between the ribs become pinched, the affected area becomes numb or tingling and the pain increases when bending over.
If your back hurts in the shoulder blade area, it may be due to the affected muscles becoming inflamed.Pain occurs when muscles are stretched, strained or strained.Pain on the left under the shoulder blade and possible when tumors occur.There is a deformation of the chest wall in the posterior area.Pain also occurs when the scapula is injured or hit.In the first hours of the injury, severe pain occurs, then it hurts when moving, swelling and swelling appear.In these cases, an x-ray will be taken to ensure there is no fracture.Pain under the left scapula on the side of the back is associated with osteomyelitis and tuberculosis of the scapula, which occur quite rarely.
Diseases of the internal organs
Diseases associated with heart defects, such as angina and heart attack, also cause pain on the left side of the back.Only this type of pain differs in character from the previous ones.The attack in these moments is not shooting, but burning and tough.Such attacks are caused by great physical exertion and severe nervous shock.
The center of pain is usually in the chest and radiates to the left.Shortness of breath and fear of death occur.Sometimes the lower back hurts during attacks.Relief from seizures occurs with the help of nitroglycerin and similar drugs.The duration of such phenomena is no more than fifteen minutes.
If the drugs have no effect and the attack lasts more than half an hour, this indicates a heart attack.
Sometimes there is no pain, but there is a stabbing and burning sensation on the left side of the back, or the arm is taken away.You have to be careful with this.The condition is particularly dangerous if the aorta cuts through the aneurysm.The pain tends to travel from top to bottom.From the chest, it moves under the scapula region and then stops at the lower back.Aortic rupture and internal bleeding can occur, leading to death.A symptom of the development of such disorders can be recognized by a sharp drop in pressure.Pain is associated with myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis.
The cause of pain can be diseases of the bronchopulmonary system.These include left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy and abscess of lung tissue.Pathologies of the respiratory system are manifested by cough, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing in the chest and pain when inhaling.An x-ray is taken to confirm the diagnosis.Another reason for pain is a malfunction of the stomach.These diseases require surgery.When a perforated stomach ulcer occurs, an acute feeling of pain occurs under the left shoulder blade.It's like a knife strike.Occurs 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 occurs under the left ribs and in an area called the epigastrium.It also radiates into the left shoulder blade area.The symptoms are the same as those of an ulcer.
When the spleen is damaged, a two-phase rupture occurs.This and the onset of internal bleeding do not occur immediately.The main tissue is torn, but the integrity of the organ capsule is preserved, in which blood continues to accumulate.When its volume increases to the limit, the capsule ruptures and bleeding occurs.These are almost all types of pain under the left shoulder blade, the causes of which we have examined.An accurate diagnosis is made through an additional examination of the patient by a specialist.
Make a diagnosis
To determine the cause of pain under the left shoulder blade, you need to do the following:
- Find out the patient's connection between pain, diet and lifestyle and their feelings;
- Conducting a visual and medical examination.Pulse, pressure and temperature are measured;
- performing x-rays;
- performing an electrocardiogram and CT scan;
- performing fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- Implementation of the OAC.
How pain is treated
It must be said that treatment depends on the diagnosis.The first step is to treat an acute life-threatening illness.In cases of heart disease, medications are prescribed to relieve heart pain.If the condition does not calm down within ten minutes, an ambulance will be called.Pain due to an ulcer, osteochondrosis or protrusion is relieved by a specialist.Self-medication is not recommended.Usually the cause of shoulder blade pain lies in a completely different part of the body.
Treatment of back pain is carried out by the following doctors:
- traumatologist;
- vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- cardiologist;
- Therapist;
- Psychotherapist and psychiatrist.
The on-site doctor is responsible for carrying out the initial examination.After the examination, he refers the patient to the nearest specialist who will carry out further examination.
Prevention
To prevent pain, it is necessary to know the cause of its occurrence.This is the only way you can achieve the desired effect in pain prevention.Patients suffering from angina, heart disease, or a heart attack should always take heart medication, eat a proper diet, and limit physical and mental activities.
Spinal diseases require long-term treatment, which involves performing special therapeutic exercises and taking non-steroidal drugs to prevent inflammation.
Stomach diseases require proper nutrition and special medications.These diseases require the intervention of a psychologist to maintain the patient's emotional and psychological balance.Regular medical examinations are required for prophylaxis.Consulting a doctor and conducting preventive examinations lead to a small percentage of the occurrence 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 left spine than to get sick and seek treatment.