Causes of pain under the left shoulder blade in the back of the back

To understand what pathology has invaded your body, you need to accurately describe the symptoms. Back pain under the left shoulder blade of the back is a common symptom of serious health problems. The difficulty in determining a specific disease is that pain in this area of the back can manifest itself in various pathologies. From vascular lesions to pathologies of the nervous system.

Types of pain sensation

When the pain appears on the left under the scapula, it is necessary to understand what character it is. Several types of pain are known:

1. The pain under the left shoulder blade of a shingles character lasts a long time, the discomfort covers an area of the back. During a painful attack, there is a feeling of lack of air, a cough and shortness of breath appear. The situation is related to the fact that in the intercostal space there is a nervous pulsation.
2. The burning sensation is accompanied by numbness of part of the skin. The patient feels a tingling sensation that spreads throughout the body.
3. Growing character. The peculiarity of this type is that the whole left arm begins to ache, causing an increase in muscle tone. Making hand movements becomes unbearable.
4. Very intense. The person loses the ability to assume a lying position on the left side. Shortness of breath is noted with difficult inhalation. The movement increases the pain, and then it becomes difficult to move.
5. Discomfort on the back of the scapula, characterized by displacement. The cutting pain occurs in the left scapula, then localized centrally along the spine. The patient has an audible sigh.
6. dull and painful, one might say, the simplest manifestation of the above. Whining in the scapula area will only occur when the person moves, raise the painful arm.
7. Traction syndrome will appear in the upper back, along the spine to the lumbar region.
8. And another type - a sharp character.

The list is not limited to the types of pain symptoms listed. There are pressing pains and tingling sensations that cannot be confused with other manifestations.

Attention should be paid to the nature of the pain syndrome. It will be easier for a specialist doctor to determine your pathology.

What triggers the onset of the syndrome?

Why is there discomfort under the scapula? The appearance of pain under the scapula can be explained by human anatomy. Often a part of the body is affected and the resulting unpleasant sensation spreads along the nerve trunks to other organs. The left scapula "sits" over the costal arches, which together form the rib cage. With the help of ligaments and intercostal muscles, the costal arches are connected with each other.

Under each rib are vessels and nerves that extend from the spinal cord, spine. The complex of the ribs and the left scapula has a protective function. They limit the internal organs from any type of damage: heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.

Due to the anatomical location of the scapula, two main groups can cause pain:

1. Caused by a violation of the musculoskeletal system. This also includes muscle pain syndrome.
2. Feelings due to dysfunction of internal organs.

Diagnostic

To establish the cause of the onset of pain and make the correct diagnosis, he is prescribed the following types of diagnosis:

• X-ray examination of the spine.
• Gastroscopy.
• CT, MRI.
• ECG.
• Ultrasound of abdominal organs.
• UAC, LHC.

Depending on the damage factor, a specialist will prescribe treatment.

What is related to

If it hurts from behind, the sensation is localized under the left shoulder blade - usually associated with one of the following disorders:

• Pathology of the musculoskeletal system;
• Diseases of a cardiac nature;
• Diseases of the bronchopulmonary sphere;
• Dysfunction of the digestive tract.

Musculoskeletal problems

There are cases when the manifestations of painful sensations arise as a result of the destruction of the skeleton. Patients with osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, spondylarthrosis, hernia and other disorders experience pain on the left under the scapula. The symptom is of two types.

• First, pain and aches are associated with chest diseases. The character is painful, constrains movements, does not allow deep breathing.
• Another type is felt in the form of intense colic.

Shoulder-scapular periarthritis is an inflammatory disease of the structure of the shoulder. Radiating pain occurs in the left arm, left half of the back, which causes stiffness and pain in movement.

Sprengel syndrome is the presence of a pterygoid scapula in a patient, congenital or resulting from disease. Prolonged pain and tingling is characteristic.

Pathologies associated with the heart and blood vessels

Acute ischemia of the heart muscle - myocardial infarction. With a heart attack, compression in the chest region is characteristic. It stretches from the heart to the left shoulder blade, upper arm and lower back. This condition can be fatal if left untreated. It is characterized by a pronounced burning sensation and severe pain under the left shoulder blade, which interferes with normal inspiration and expiration.

The difference with myocardial infarction is that it is not stopped by taking nitroglycerin, the attack lasts more than 15 minutes. Numbness in the hands is common. With the development of the State, one cannot hesitate.

Disease of the cardiological sphere, manifested by sharp cuts of the heart with irradiation under the left scapula - an attack of angina pectoris. Primary manifestations - the compression in the region of the heart spreads to the left side. Cardialgia is constrictive and acute, may be aggravated by movement.

The difference between angina and a heart attack is that an angina attack can be stopped by taking nitroglycerin or by getting physical and psychological rest. The cause of the attack is atherosclerosis of the cardiac (coronary) arteries. Provoking factors: hypothermia or overheating, alcohol abuse, abundant diet.

A vegetative crisis is a condition similar to the manifestations of angina or heart attacks. Heaviness and compression appear under the left scapula and in the sternum. It extends over the left shoulder, the forearm, reaches the distal phalanges of the fingers. Radiates to the left side of the jaw and to the area between the shoulder blades.

The pathology is characterized by chills, inspiratory dyspnea, chest tightness and lack of air. The syndrome is short-lived and extends to the epigastric region, to the neck. When you take sedatives and tranquilizers, you can stop the vegetative crisis.

Bronchopulmonary diseases

Diseases of the respiratory system are also the cause of the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the region of the back on the left. The main place is occupied by pneumonia or pleurisy, if at least one lung is affected. Pain syndrome is accompanied by coughing, sneezing, and increased pain during deep breathing. Characterized by an increase in temperature, decrease in weight, wheezing in the lungs on auscultation. It is very difficult to breathe. A kind of pain cuts.

Disorders in the organs of the digestive system

The increased pain is characteristic of stomach ulcers. It is associated with the use of food, after vomiting the pain subsides. In the stomach area, it begins to shoot. Heartburn is a reliable sign that it is a peptic ulcer. Painful not only in the subscapularis, but also on the left side of the chest. The process is accompanied by muscle tension, difficulty breathing.

If the pain syndrome appeared suddenly and is manifested by sharp impulses, it is necessary to urgently contact an ambulance. Acute pancreatitis can cause severe discomfort. The sensations are shingles in nature, the attack develops suddenly. A rare cause can be a ruptured spleen. With trauma to the splenic tissues, bleeding appears, almost impossible to stop. Emergency surgery is needed.

Damage to the scapular region

1. Cervical osteochondrosis.
2. Violation of the walls of the intercostal nerves.
3. Scapular rib syndrome (occurs with physical overstrain, injury, can also pass through and cause this syndrome).
4. Malignant tumor of the skeleton.
5. Osteomyelitis (may appear after a gunshot wound)
6. The defeat of the subscapularis.
7. Shoulder-scapular periarthritis.

Psychosomatic

There are cases when painful sensations on the left arise with psychological pathologies or strong psycho-emotional stress. The reason for the appearance of pain syndrome is clear to everyone, it is provoked by stress and emotional stress. Psychosomatic diseases are accompanied by pain in the scapula, somatic disorders are noted. These include:

1. The temperature is rising to high numbers.
2. Compression, burning in the sternum.
3. Ball in the throat.
4. Sensation of lack of air.

Who to contact

Considering the intensity and nature of the pain under the scapula, you can seek help from the following specialists:

• The call of an ambulance team is necessary in case of sudden onset of symptoms with increased pain and deterioration of health.
• In the event of trauma resulting in unpleasant sensations (stretching, weight lifting), consult a traumatologist.
• Breathing difficulties, a bluish complexion of the skin, tingling in the chest should be the incentive to consult a cardiologist.
• It is necessary to consult a neurologist and an orthopedist in case of pain that increases with exercise of the hands, physical activity, with known disorders of the spine.
• Pain after eating, dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting) are a reason to consult a gastroenterologist.
• See a pulmonologist if you have back pain, especially on the left under the scapula, accompanied by cough and shortness of breath.
• When the pain is permanent or temporary, appears for no apparent reason, they turn to a therapist. After a thorough examination and diagnosis, the therapist refers the patient to a narrow specialist.
• If, as a result of instrumental methods of examination, it was not possible to establish the cause of the symptoms, with frequent stress, psycho-emotional stress, consultation with a psychologist and psychiatrist isnecessary.

Treatment of subscapular pain

There is no general treatment plan for the management of patients with pain in the upper back region. Treatment is carried out taking into account the etiology of the disease. For symptoms associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, treatment is carried out according to the following protocol:

It is necessary to provide the patient with special treatment.

• Bring peace. There are times when sufficient rest relieves muscle tension, restores function, and relieves pain.
• The medical method of treatment is used for inflammatory processes. NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.
• For long-lasting chronic pain, antidepressants are prescribed.
• With muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are administered. To achieve maximum effect, the drug is most often prescribed in combination with NSAIDs, pain relievers, massage and physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy.
• The appointment of massage courses has a beneficial effect on the condition of the muscles. Help relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, improve blood circulation and well-being.
• To restore nerve conduction, eliminate painful symptoms, acupuncture is used.

The method of treatment is prescribed for bronchopulmonary, cardiological and gastrointestinal diseases individually. The necessary vitamins, antibacterial drugs, pain relievers and NSAIDs are selected.

Patients with symptoms of heart attack and angina are subject to emergency hospitalization.

When diagnosing aneurysm and severe pathologies, they resort to surgical intervention.

Prophylaxis

1. Daily training, gymnastics. Half-hour hike.
2. Complete and balanced nutrition.
3. Prevent injuries to joints and bones.

What does the doctor say

Medical specialists recommend that patients who have had an angina or heart attack regularly take prescribed medications, diet and avoid stress. Spine disease requires long-term treatment with NSAIDs and exercise therapy. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are stopped by the use of special drugs and observance of a diet.

Doctors advise to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it.

Conclusion

If you know for sure the cause of the discomfort under the left shoulder blade, you can start treatment faster. It is necessary to correctly find the cause of the discomfort. As soon as you have symptoms of any of the pathologies under consideration, see a doctor immediately. To be in a good health!