Sometimes we experience discomfort in the back on the left side. It can be pain of a different nature - pulling, stabbing, aching. They may be accompanied by additional symptoms. Pain under the left shoulder is usually not the only symptom. This is one of the signs of the appearance of any disease. All complaints and symptoms together will help the doctor choose the direction of the diagnosis. After all, immediate help is often required.
Anatomical structure of the body
If we visualize our body from behind, it will be seen that the left shoulder blade is located on the ribs involved in the formation of the chest. Between the ribs are nerves and blood vessels. They are connected by muscle fibers.
The scapula performs a protective function of internal organs - heart, lungs, stomach and pancreas, spleen.
Based on the anatomical structure of the body, pain under the left shoulder blade can be conditionally divided into:
- related to the pathology of the musculoskeletal system,
- related to the pathology of any internal organ.
Why are there disturbances on the left side?
Many of us with the appearance of pain on the left side, first of all, consider problems in the work of the heart. In fact, more often the cause is a spinal problem. There may also be malfunctions in the work of internal organs.
Let's consider in more detail the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade. They can occur when:
- Problems with the spine and locomotor system: osteochondrosis, intercostal neuralgia, scapular injuries, rib fractures, myofascial syndrome, Sprengel's disease.
- Diseases of the bronchi and lungs: pneumonia, localized on the left, dry pleurisy, bronchitis in the acute stage of progress, tracheitis, lung abscess on the left side.
- Diseases of the cardiological system: angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart attack, valve prolapse.
- Stomach and intestinal diseases: gastric and duodenal ulcer, gastroesophagitis, reflux, spasm of the esophagus.
- Psychosomatic course of the disease with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
The relationship between pain and illness
Patients can characterize the nature of the pain by cutting pain and burning. There are some typical signs of pain that distinguish them from other diseases:
| The name of the disease | Characteristic pain |
|---|---|
| Heart dissases | Pain in the region of the left shoulder blade is of a burning nature, causes a feeling of compression of the retrosternal space. It occurs in the same place, moving to the left side - back, shoulder blade, arm. With pressure, as if squeezing the pain of the heart, the spread of myocardial infarction is possible. In this case, urgent hospitalization is necessary. |
| aortic aneurysm | The pain is sharp, shooting, increasing, goes to the left in the back and under the shoulder blade. The condition develops rapidly and threatens the patient's life. |
| Pleurisy | The pain is sharp and stabbing, depending on the size of the breath. In a calm state, a tingling sensation is possible, when you inhale with a full chest, there is a piercing pain in the scapula. |
| Left sided pneumonia | The pain is not strong, it hurts, it can be characterized as a point. It may increase slightly with movement and deep inspiration. |
| Osteochondrosis of vertebrae | Most often, the pain is localized in the lower part of the neck. It is manifested by pain, aggravated by a sharp movement of the head. It can enter the hand, be accompanied by rotation of the head, numbness of the limbs. The pain under the scapula is weak, aching and pulling, there may be an increase in pain in a long sitting position or after physical exertion. As a rule, this happens in the evening. In the morning, the stiffness of the muscles of the spine is felt. Unlike heart pain, it does not go away after taking medications. There may be severe headaches that do not depend on pressure. |
| Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcers in the stomach and intestines | Pain in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be seasonal with attacks. Pain syndrome can occur due to prolonged hunger, immediately after eating, a few hours after eating, at night. The pain disappears after hunger is satisfied, after the food exits the stomach, after vomiting or taking medicine. When the ulcer is perforated, the pain radiates under the left shoulder blade, is acute and unbearable. If you suspect this disease, you should go to the hospital immediately. At the beginning of the development of the disease, the pain may decrease after vomiting. With reflux esophagitis, accompanying symptoms will be heartburn, belching and impaired digestion. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | A sharp shooting pain or band is felt constantly or in attacks. It can happen on one side. It increases during sudden movements - sneezing, coughing, heavy breathing, walking, physical activity, palpation of the site of pain. |
| Vegetative-vascular dystonia and myofascial syndrome | With myofascial syndrome, the pain is dull, coming from deep within the tissues. It can happen both at rest and during physical activity. It can range in intensity from mild to severe. Objectively, during the examination, patients with VVD suffer from nervousness, memory impairment, sweating, tachycardia and hand tremors. There are often changes in the heart muscle. The nature of pain is similar to that of the heart. But heart examination does not confirm the diagnosis. |
Diagnosis of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
To find out what is causing the pain, a detailed examination will be required. First of all, you should consult a therapist or doctor. Based on the patient's complaints and examination, he will determine what type of research should be performed.
The initial stage of treatment, if the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade, should be a trip to the local therapist. He will be able to make an initial examination and prescribe all necessary examinations. And already with the existing examinations, you can go for a consultation with close specialists.
The doctor will not be able to diagnose the disease only from the complaints of the pain syndrome. Complaints will be an impetus in the direction where a more complete diagnosis is required. Therefore, when you contact a doctor, it is necessary to know exactly the answers to the questions about the nature of the pain, its localization and associated causes - relationships with food intake, physical and emotional stress.
If miosis is suspected in a patient, a detailed blood test should be performed to confirm the inflammatory process.
In order to diagnose the disease more accurately, it is necessary to carry out a series of examinations.
The first task is to rule out conditions that require urgent medical attention. These include: gastric and duodenal ulcers, heart attack, rupture of the aorta.
To understand exactly what hurts under the left shoulder blade, you should undergo the following examinations:
- Visual inspection and palpation of pain localization. Temperature, blood pressure and pulse will be measured.
- X-rays in several projections to confirm or deny problems with the spine and lungs.
- EKG to check heart function.
- To clarify the localization of the problem with the spine, a CT or MRI scan may be needed.
- If gastrointestinal problems are suspected, FGS - fibrogastroduodenoscopy - may be prescribed.
- General and biochemical blood tests.
For some types of pain, first aid can be given with analgesics and antispasmodics. But taking them does not eliminate the cause, but only suppresses the pain from the left under the shoulder blade, which, after the end of the medicine, will definitely return again. To prevent the recurrence of pain, it is necessary to find out its cause.
In any case, if the left shoulder blade hurts, after stopping the first signs of pain, it is necessary to undergo a full course of examinations. After all, often the source of pain radiating from the shoulder blade can be found elsewhere. Therefore, when a pain syndrome appears in the scapula area, it is necessary to visit: a therapist, a neurologist, a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist, a traumatologist, with the exception of pathology by all the listed specialists. , a consultation with a psychotherapist is necessary.
Treatment of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
The purpose of treatment will depend on the diagnosis of the disease. For each specific disease, there are specific treatment regimens. They necessarily include recommendations for physical activity and diet. The medication regimen is described in detail. They are combined depending on symptoms and complaints to relieve acute symptoms that threaten the patient's life.
In any case, you should remember that the pain in the left shoulder can be removed only with drugs recommended by a specialist. Do not turn to the advice of relatives and friends. After all, without medical help it is difficult to determine the nature of the pain. Self-medication can lead to a delay in cardiac or gastric pathologies.
- For example, with reflux after the examination, drugs can be prescribed to reduce the acidity of the stomach, to facilitate its movement in the intestines. In this case, it is worth limiting the amount of food consumed, you should not bend down immediately after eating.
- With osteochondrosis, physiotherapy exercises, swimming, dry heat and increased physical activity can be prescribed as medical procedures. All these measures are used as prophylaxis after the pain subsides.
- If there is a diagnosis of ischemia, a cardiac medication should be taken first. If the pain in the shoulder on the left does not go away after 10 minutes, you should call an ambulance.
- If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, the best prevention is the continuous intake of the necessary drugs, diet, mental stability and not excessive physical activity.
- If the pain in the shoulder is manifested due to problems with the spine, it is necessary to perform a series of special exercises for a long period of time and follow the recommendations of specialists for taking medications.
- If the appearance of pain under the shoulder blade on the left is associated with stomach and intestinal problems, diet and medication will help you cope. In this case, psycho-emotional balance is important, because stress often causes ulcers. A positive attitude and mastery of relaxation and relaxation techniques are necessary.
If there is no result from conservative treatment, as well as when a perforated ulcer, a large hernia of the spine, a rupture of the spleen is detected, surgical intervention is necessary.
In principle, to avoid serious health problems, an annual dispensary examination is necessary. It is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations to rule out the appearance of diseases in the near future.