Pain under the left shoulder blade of the back sometimes appears due to ordinary muscle tension or overstrain of the body.But sometimes such pain indicates the presence of a serious illness.In order to understand why this happens between the scapula and the spine on the left, let's recall the organs located there.Let's take a little excursion into human anatomy.
Causes of pain
The left scapula is the name for the bony formation of the back, closely adjacent to the ribs.Its role is to protect the chest.The scapula on the left side is part of the shoulder girdle and is part of the joint.Between the ribs are the endings of nerves and branches of blood vessels, 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:
- With diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- With cardiac pathology;
- With diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- With abnormalities in the functioning of the stomach.
Let's consider the causes of pain between the shoulder blade and the spine below.The question of why it hurts under the left shoulder blade worries many people who experience pain.
Spinal diseases
At times, dull pain on the left side is due to disorders in the skeletal structure.People suffering from osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, scoliosis, hernia and protrusion, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis experience back pain on the left side.Pain comes in two forms.The first type of pain in the left shoulder blade is associated with thoracalgia.It is painful and does not allow sudden movements, deep breaths or leaning to the left.The second type of pain under the shoulder blade from the back manifests itself as intense shooting pain.Pain in the shoulder blades is sometimes incorrectly associated with weakness of the internal organs.
A condition called glenohumeral periarthritis is inflammation of the shoulder.Shoulder pain radiates to the left side of the back, limiting mobility of the left arm.The shoulder joint is not working well.
Severe pain appears in the shoulder blade and in Sprengel's disease.This is the name given to the existence of a pterygoid scapula in a person, appearing at birth or acquired through past illnesses.The pain is constant and usually gets worse when you raise your arm.
When the nerve endings between the ribs are pinched, the affected area becomes numb or tingling and the pain becomes worse when bending over.
If you have back pain in the shoulder blade area, it may be due to the affected muscles becoming inflamed.Pain occurs when muscles are stretched, overloaded or hit.Pain on the left under the shoulder blade and possible with the appearance of tumors.Chest wall deformation occurs at the back.Pain also occurs during injuries to the scapula or its impacts.Severe pain appears in the first hours of injury, then it hurts when moving, swelling and swelling appear.In these cases, an x-ray is taken to make sure 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 appear quite rarely.
Diseases of internal organs
Diseases associated with heart abnormalities, such as angina and myocardial infarction, also cause pain on the left side of the back.Only this type of pain differs in character from the previous ones.The attack at these moments is not pulling, but burning and viscous.Such attacks are provoked by intense physical exertion and severe nervous shock.
The center of pain is usually located in the chest and radiates to the left side.Shortness of breath and fear of dying occur.Sometimes the lower back hurts during seizures.Relief from seizures occurs with the help of nitroglycerin and similar drugs.The duration of such phenomena does not exceed fifteen minutes.
Cases where medications have no effect and the attack lasts more than half an hour indicate 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 withdrawn.You have to be careful with this.The condition is particularly dangerous when the aortic aneurysm dissects.The pain tends to migrate up and down.From the chest, it travels under the scapular region then stops in the lower back.Aortic rupture and internal bleeding may occur, leading to death.A symptom of the origin of such disorders can be recognized by a sharp drop in pressure.The pain is accompanied by myocarditis, pericarditis and endocarditis.
The cause of pain may be diseases related to the bronchopulmonary system.These include left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy, and abscess of lung tissue.The pathology of the respiratory system is manifested by the appearance of 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 poor functioning of the stomach.These diseases require surgical intervention.When a perforated stomach ulcer occurs, a sharp feeling of pain appears under the left shoulder blade.It's like a stab.Occurs when there is a defect in the stomach called an ulcer.It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, tight abdominal muscles and nausea.To confirm the diagnosis, x-rays and fibrogastroscopy are performed.In acute pancreatitis, pain appears under the left ribs and in an area called the epigastrium.It also radiates to the left scapula area.The symptoms are the same as for an ulcer.
When the spleen is damaged, its biphasic rupture develops.It and the appearance of internal bleeding do not occur instantly.The main tissue is torn, but the integrity of the organic 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 considered.An accurate diagnosis is made when the patient undergoes an additional examination carried out by a specialist.
Make a diagnosis
Determining the cause of pain under the left shoulder blade involves:
- Know the patient's link between pain, diet and lifestyle, with their feelings;
- Carry out a visual and medical examination.Pulse, pressure and temperature are measured;
- Perform x-rays;
- Perform an electrocardiogram and CT scan;
- Performing a fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- Creation of the CAD.
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 case of heart disease, medications are prescribed to relieve heart pain.In cases where it is not possible to calm down within ten minutes, an ambulance is called.Pain caused by an ulcer, osteochondrosis or protrusion is relieved by a specialist.Self-medication is not recommended.Usually, the root of shoulder blade pain is located 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 prerogative to carry out the initial examination rests with the local doctor.After examining the patient, he refers him to the next specialist, who will conduct a more thorough examination.
Prevention
To prevent pain, it is necessary to know the cause of its occurrence.Only then can you achieve the desired effect in pain prevention.Patients suffering from angina, heart disease or heart attack should always take heart medications, follow a proper diet and limit physical and psychological activities.
Spinal diseases require long-term treatment, during which special therapeutic exercises are performed and non-steroidal drugs are taken to prevent inflammation.
Stomach diseases require proper nutrition and special medications.These illnesses require the intervention of a psychologist to maintain the patient's psychological and emotional balance.Prophylaxis requires regular medical examinations.Consulting a doctor and carrying out preventive examinations leads to a low 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 left shoulder blade and spine than to get sick and seek treatment.