Pain under the left shoulder blade behind: causes, treatment, what to do when the shoulder blade hurts

Pain under the left shoulder blade in the back is a very unpleasant phenomenon that disrupts a person's mobility and impairs their ability to work.It is noted that in some pathologies such discomfort can continue even when a person is resting.However, this symptom does not always indicate the presence of complex back pathology.Sometimes it is provoked by a banal long-term stay in a physiologically incorrect position.

General anatomical information

So if you look at the back from behind, you can see that the left shoulder blade is fixed on the ribs that form the chest.Between each of them there is a nerve and blood vessels located in the depressions.The ribs are connected to each other by ligaments and muscles.

Closer to the center of the scapula is the vertebral column, inside which the spinal cord is located.All nerves come from him.The muscles of the back around the scapula are quite well developed.Its purpose is to protect the left lung, heart, spleen, stomach and pancreas, as well as the thoracic aorta.

What factors provoke pain?

Pain under the left shoulder blade in the back can be caused by the following factors:

1. Stomach ulcer.Here the nature of the back pain increases, it is associated with eating, but after an attack of vomiting it becomes weaker.An additional sign that the ulcer is causing pain is the presence of belching or heartburn.Discomfort is felt not only in the left shoulder blade, but can also radiate to the sternum and left nipple.In this case, the patient simply cannot move normally.Strong discomfort prevents him from taking a deep breath, so the person cannot relax completely, which leads to other equally serious dysfunctions of the body and nervous system.If the pain on the left side of the back occurs too sharply, then you should immediately contact an ambulance.
2. Acute pancreatitis.It can also cause quite severe pain on the left side of the back below the shoulder blade.Sensations have their own character, in this case striking, sudden.
3. Vegetative crisis.The manifestation of the symptoms here is very clear.In addition to back pain on the left side of the back, a person has a feeling of compression in the chest, warmth in the same area and the inability to determine the exact location of the discomfort.The patient cannot breathe normally and experiences increased feelings of anxiety and fear.It cannot be said that in such a condition it will be possible to accurately determine the localization of pain.It often radiates to other parts of the body, even the lower abdomen.The patient feels a lump in the throat and suffocation.
4. Myocardial infarction.It also causes severe pain in the area of the left shoulder blade behind.This condition is often life-threatening, so it must be recognized in time and treated.The patient feels a burning sensation and cannot take a deep breath.The intensity of the pain on the left side of the back is very high, the patient does not respond to glycerol trinitrate, and the pathological condition itself lasts more than 10 minutes.The disease is characterized by the fact that the patient's hand often goes numb during an attack.
5. Angina pectoris.This heart pathology is also characterized by the presence of pain under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back.The pain is sharp, pressing on the chest.The cause of this disease is considered to be a narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels.The attack is provoked by physical activity, hypothermia and consumption of alcoholic beverages.Glycerol trinitrate can weaken it.
6. Pathologies of the respiratory system.If a person feels constant back pain under the left shoulder blade, the cause of this condition is pneumonia or dry pleurisy.At the same time, unpleasant sensations accompany every deep breath, cough and sneeze.The pain will always be directed to the affected lung.Its character can vary depending on the severity of the pathology: it can be insignificant or become cutting and piercing.
7. Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta.This increases the load on the valve between the left atrium and ventricle.At the same time, the heart cannot cope with its functions as quickly as necessary.This provokes stagnation of venous blood in the lungs and their edema develops.Where the aneurysm attaches to the vessel, its wall becomes thinner and can rupture at any time.This will lead to serious bleeding in the abdominal cavity.
8. Biphasic splenic rupture.This cause is considered very rare, but it does occur.When the tissue of the organ is damaged, the patient develops abdominal bleeding that is almost impossible to stop.This disease requires immediate surgical treatment.

These pathologies must be recognized as quickly as possible.Otherwise, without receiving proper medical care, a person may die.

What diseases of the musculoskeletal system provoke pain?

Damage to the spine or other parts of the skeleton can cause pain under the left shoulder blade behind.The following reasons for the development of discomfort can be identified:

• Osteochondrosis of the neck.At the beginning of the development of the disease, the patient's sensations are difficult to determine, but they are directed to those nerve roots that are damaged.The pain is spontaneous, intrusive and may disappear after taking a warm bath.In the neck area, severe pinching of nerves and blood vessels subsequently occurs, which does not go unnoticed.An additional symptom of the pathology is that the pain radiates to the arm.Osteochondrosis of the neck develops most often in people who intentionally or forcibly lead a passive, sedentary lifestyle.As for the nature of the pain syndrome, there may be pain or stabbing under the shoulder blade.
• Intercostal nerve damage.The presented condition is considered a common cause of back pain under the shoulder blade on the left.Taking a deep breath, coughing and bending to the left side increase the pain syndrome.The sensations are very sharp, strong, shooting.If the pathology progresses, then the pain under the shoulder blade at the back becomes burning.
• Scapular-costal syndrome.The sensation is usually painful, pulling.Discomfort is localized in the area above and below the scapula, under the shoulders.A feature of the pathology is that when the arm and shoulder are moved, a crunch is heard.The cause of this disease is very strong physical stress, injury to a certain part of the body and hypothermia.
• Malignant tumor affecting the skeleton.In this case, the tumor itself or its metastases are localized on the scapula.
• Scapular crisis.This disease is not seen very often and affects the subscapular bursa.The pain here is not of high intensity.But during movement, a crunch is heard in the area of the scapula.
• Osteomyelitis, resulting from a specific injury, for example: a gunshot wound.
• Humeroscapular periarthritis.If there is a simple form of development, then the sensations will not stand out too clearly.Symptoms are usually detected only with some movement.During the acute stage of development, the pathology is characterized by an increase in appearance, especially at night.At the same time, mobility in the shoulder is limited, there is an increase in basal temperature and muscle spasm.

Pain under the left shoulder blade can be a symptom of a serious pathology, especially if it is burning, sharp or stabbing.Even pregnancy can provoke a pathological condition.This period is characterized by the fact that the female body experiences enormous stress.

An injury can cause pain in the back under the left shoulder blade: fracture, crack.Here, the discomfort is painful in nature, and tends to increase with movement.Quite often, psychosomatic reasons for the development of such a pathological condition are noted.The provoking factor here is a strong emotional or psychological stress that the body cannot adequately cope with.The peculiarity of this reason is that even the patient's negative attitude to the symptoms can worsen his well-being even more.

Classification of unpleasant sensations

Before starting the treatment of a pathological condition, it is necessary to establish the cause of its occurrence.The nature of the pain syndrome is also important for diagnosis.It could be:

1. Circumventing.In this case, the discomfort is localized in one place.You feel it all the time.The patient cannot breathe normally, as this leads to an increase in the syndrome.The slightest movement or cough can provoke a worsening of the patient's condition.The nature of the pain is provoked by the passage of a nerve impulse between the ribs.
2. Combustion.The victim may feel tingling in certain areas of the skin and a tingling sensation in the body.
3. Cultivation.Here the pain from under the shoulder blade on the side of the back will radiate into the arm.Increased muscle tone in the shoulder and back can provoke these symptoms.
4. Spicy.Here, the intensity of pain behind the left shoulder blade is considered very high.Often the patient cannot breathe, it is difficult for him to lie on his left side, movements become unbearable.

5. Slicing.It is first located on the left and then moved to the center.
6. A dull aching painin the left shoulder blade.It usually appears when you raise your hand.
7. Pullingpain syndrome.It often "spreads" from the scapula to the lumbar spine.
8. Slicing.
9. Constant pain, which prevents you from breathing normally, lying down or making movements.

As you can see, there are quite a few different types of discomfort.Therefore, it will not be possible to determine the exact cause of the development of the pathology yourself.That is, if there is pain, the patient should go to the doctor and undergo a thorough examination.

Features of diagnosis of the disease

If the patient feels a dull pain and begins to hurt in the area of the left scapula, treatment begins with a complete examination.Diagnostics includes the following procedures:

• X-ray of the spine and is performed in several projections.The image may also show lung problems.
• Computed tomography.
• MRI.
• If there are cardiac symptoms, the patient is prescribed an ECG.
• Ultrasound of internal organs.
• Instrumental examination of pulse and blood pressure.
• Biochemical and general blood test.

After examining and establishing the cause of the patient's pathological condition, treatment is prescribed.A cardiologist or gastroenterologist may also need to be consulted.

How to properly treat the disease?

Naturally, if the patient starts to hurt in the back of the left shoulder blade, cannot take a deep breath, therapy should be started.Methods of eliminating pain under the left shoulder blade are determined by the factors that caused the development of the pathological process.It is not enough to simply eliminate the symptoms, as they will quickly reappear.

Each disease is characterized by its own symptoms, which is why the treatment regimen is always different.However, each of them contains important recommendations for maintaining a daily regimen and diet.Naturally, dull pain is treated with medication.

If conservative therapy does not provide positive dynamics, the patient is indicated for surgery.For example, a hernia of significant dimensions, a rupture of the spleen or a gastric ulcer accompanied by internal bleeding must be treated surgically.

If the pain provokes pregnancy, then you should rest more and consult a gynecologist.

When should you go to the hospital?

So, if the discomfort is constantly present and with deep breathing it becomes stronger and begins to radiate to the hand and other parts of the body, you should immediately consult specialists.Simply treating the symptoms will only make the situation worse as the disease continues to progress.

Even if the patient knows the cause of his condition, he should not immediately run to a specialist.It is better to consult a therapist who will guide you where you need to go.

Preventive measures

It is impossible to fully insure yourself against all diseases.However, you can try to avoid those factors that will lead to deterioration of health.For example, you should eat right, do daily exercise to keep your body toned and exercise your muscles.If you have a sedentary job, a warm-up is required periodically.Naturally, it is better to avoid any injuries.

If you know why it hurts under the left shoulder blade in the back, then you can start effective treatment in time.Naturally, some pathologies, especially degenerative-dystrophic ones, cannot be completely overcome.However, proper therapy will help slow their progression.Stay healthy and do not ignore the advice of specialists!