Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back sometimes occurs due to simple muscle strain or body overload.But sometimes such pain indicates the presence of a serious disease.To understand why it occurs between the shoulder blade and the spine on the left side, let's remember the organs that are there.Let's take a short trip into human anatomy.
Causes of pain
The left scapula is the name of the bony formation on the back, close to the ribs.Its task is to protect the chest.The scapula on the left side is part of the shoulder girdle and is part of the wrist.Between the ribs are nerve endings and blood vessel branches, connected by muscles and ligaments.The major muscles of the scapula and the left arm are attached to the scapula from behind.
Pain under the shoulder blade on the left side is associated with:
- With diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- With cardiac pathology;
- With diseases of the bronchopulmonary system;
- With abnormalities in the work of the stomach.
Let's consider below the causes of pain between the shoulder blade and the spine.The question of why it hurts under the left shoulder blade worries many people who experience pain.
Diseases of the spine
At times, a dull pain on the left side occurs due to a disturbance of the skeletal structure.People with osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis, scoliosis, hernia and protrusion, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis have back pain on the left side.Pain comes in two forms.The first type of pain in the left scapula is associated with thoracalgia.It is painful and does not allow sudden movements, deep breaths or bending to the left.Another type of pain under the scapula from the back is manifested by strong pulsating pain.Pain in the shoulder blades is sometimes mistakenly associated with weakness of the internal organs.
A condition called glenohumeral periarthritis is inflammation of the shoulder.Pain in the shoulder radiates to the left side of the back, which limits the mobility of the left arm.The scapular joint is not working well.
Severe pain occurs in the area of the scapula and in Sprengel's disease.This is the name for the existence of a pterygoid scapula in a person, which appears at birth or acquired in connection with past diseases.The pain is constant and usually gets worse when you raise your arm.
When the nerve endings located between the ribs are pinched, the affected area becomes numb or tingling, and the pain increases when bending.
If your back hurts in the area of the shoulder blade, it may be because of the affected muscles when they become inflamed.Pain occurs when muscles are stretched, overworked or hit.Pain to the left under the scapula and is possible with the appearance of a tumor.Deformation of the chest wall occurs on the back.Pain also occurs with injuries to the scapula or its impacts.Severe pain occurs in the first hours of the injury, then it hurts when moving, swelling and swelling appear.In these cases, an X-ray is taken to make sure there are no fractures.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 internal organs
Diseases associated with heart abnormalities, such as angina pectoris 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 in these moments is not a shot, but a burning and viscous one.Such attacks are caused by great physical effort and severe nervous shock.
The center of the 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 the attack.Alleviation of attacks occurs with the help of nitroglycerin and similar drugs.The duration of such phenomena does not exceed fifteen minutes.
Cases in which the drugs have no effect and the attack lasts longer than half an hour indicate a heart attack.
Sometimes there is no pain, but there is stinging and burning 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 when the aorta dissects the aneurysm.Pain tends to migrate from top to bottom.From the chest, it moves below the scapular region and then stops at the lower back.Aortic rupture and internal bleeding can occur, which can lead to death.A symptom 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 can be diseases related to the bronchopulmonary system.These include left-sided pneumonia, pleurisy, and lung tissue abscess.The pathology of the respiratory system is manifested by the appearance of cough, difficulty breathing, elevated temperature, wheezing in the chest, and pain when inhaling.An X-ray is taken to confirm the diagnosis.Another reason for the pain is the irregular functioning of the stomach.These diseases require surgery.When a perforated stomach ulcer appears, an acute sensation of pain appears under the left shoulder blade.It's like being stabbed with a knife.It 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, the pain occurs under the left ribs and in the area called the epigastrium.It also radiates in the region of the left shoulder blade.Symptoms are the same as ulcers.
When the spleen is damaged, its two-phase rupture develops.That and the onset of internal bleeding do not occur immediately.The main tissue is torn, but the integrity of the organ capsule is preserved, where blood continues to accumulate.When its volume increases to the limit, the capsule bursts and bleeding occurs.These are almost all types of pain under the left shoulder blade, the causes of which we examined.An accurate diagnosis is made when the patient undergoes an additional examination by a specialist.
Establishing a diagnosis
Determining the cause of pain under the left shoulder blade includes:
- Finding the patient's connection between pain and diet and lifestyle, with his feelings;
- Conducting a visual and medical examination.Pulse, pressure and temperature are measured;
- Performing X-rays;
- Performing electrocardiograms and CT scans;
- Performance of fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
- Implementation of OAC.
How to treat pain
It must be said that the treatment depends on the diagnosis.The first step is to treat an acute, life-threatening condition.For heart diseases, drugs are prescribed to relieve heart pain.In cases where he cannot calm down within ten minutes, an ambulance is called.Pain from ulcer, osteochondrosis or protrusion is alleviated by a specialist.Self-medication is not recommended.Usually, the root of the pain in the scapula is in a completely different part of the body.
Back pain treatment is carried out by the following doctors:
- Traumatologist;
- Vertebrologist;
- neuropathologist;
- Gastroenterologist;
- cardiologist;
- therapist;
- Psychotherapist and psychiatrist.
The prerogative of conducting the initial examination belongs to the doctor on site.After examining the patient, he refers him to the next specialist, who will perform a further examination.
Prevention
To prevent pain, it is necessary to know the cause of its occurrence.Only then can you achieve the desired effect in preventing pain.Patients suffering from angina pectoris, heart disease or heart attack should always take heart medication, follow a proper diet and limit physical and mental activities.
Spine diseases require long-term treatment, during which special therapeutic exercises are performed and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken.
Stomach diseases require proper nutrition and special medicines.These diseases require the intervention of a psychologist in order to maintain the patient's emotional and psychological balance.Prophylaxis requires regular medical examinations.Consultations with a doctor and preventive examinations result in a low percentage of pain and illness in the near future.These measures are simply necessary.After all, it is easier to prevent pain between the scapula and spine on the left side than to get sick and treat it.