Pain that appears on the left under the scapula is a fairly common symptom that can manifest itself in men and women, and even in children. At first glance, such symptoms seem frivolous, but in fact, pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be a harbinger of a number of dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of such a pain syndrome, and they are usually not at all associated with problems in the shoulder blades themselves. Most often, the cause of pain is inflammatory and pathological processes in other organs and systems.
Why does it hurt under the left shoulder blade?
To understand why it hurts under the scapula, one must recall the anatomical structure of a person. Indeed, most often it is precisely those organs that are located nearby that hurt, although it happens that pains radiate along the nerve fibers far from the focus of the disease.
The left shoulder blade is located on the ribs that form the chest. The ribs are connected by ligaments and intercostal muscles, and between each rib are intercostal vessels and intercostal nerves. In turn, the intercostal nerves branch off from the spinal cord, which is located in the trunk of the spine, central to the scapula. Together with the ribs, the scapula protects the left heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.
Based on this location, the causes of pain can be divided into two main groups:
- Pain associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as muscle pain.
- Pain associated with pathological changes in the work of internal organs (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, spleen, respiratory organs).
The cause of pain in the scapula can be determined based on their nature, intensity and localization:
- Pain radiating to the left shoulder blade. . .The pathological source of such pain may be located far from the site of pain. Most often, this symptom is typical for diseases of the stomach or heart.
- Aching pain under the left shoulder blade. . . Indicates the presence of a protracted chronic process. Such painful manifestations can be associated with chronic heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Dull pain under the left shoulder blade. . . Most often it occurs against the background of the development of thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis. Usually painful sensations spread down from the back of the head along the back, arm, under the shoulder blade and are accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness (tingling) of the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade. . . Intense pain is not characteristic of the scapular zone, which means it serves as a signal of a pathological condition that can threaten life. At best, severe pain may indicate intercostal neuralgia, but more often such sensations indicate the presence of a peptic ulcer and the development of a pre-infarction state.
- Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade. . . Intercostal neuralgia can cause sharp pains - at the same time, when inhaling, the pain syndrome clearly increases, there is a feeling that "he is taking his breath away. "Sharp pains can be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms in the entire left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade. Less often, pains of a sharp nature can occur with an exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pains are of a shingles and cramping character.
- Drawing pain under the left shoulder blade. . .May indicate the initial stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis. The pain begins just below the occipital bone and radiates to the left (or right) side of the back.
- Burning under the scapula. . . This symptom may indicate protracted intercostal neuralgia, angina attacks, myocardial infarction. Sometimes, the appearance of a burning sensation under the scapula may indicate the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia. In this case, the pains are accompanied by tachycardia, hand tremors, and a strong feeling of fear.
- Constant pain under the scapula on the left. . . This pain syndrome may indicate the development of left-sided pneumonia. In this case, the pain is accompanied by a dry cough, low fever, a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath.
- Stitching pain under the left shoulder blade. . .Stitching pains (so-called "lumbago") are most often a sign of osteochondrosis, but may also indicate intercostal neuralgia. A tingling sensation in the back caused by exertion, deep inhalation, or coughing can be signs of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressing pain. . . Indicates the development of osteochondrosis, may also indicate the initial stage of coronary heart disease and exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain. . .Most often, the left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic or cervical spine manifests itself in this way. Pulsating pains may indicate a herniated intervertebral disc or an incipient dissection of the aorta.
- Acute pain under the left shoulder blade. . . Indicates dangerous conditions and requires immediate medical attention. The causes of pain syndrome can be: attacks of angina pectoris, left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc, stomach ulcer.
The nature of the pain and its localization may vary, but most often the painful sensations under the left shoulder blade are a very dangerous symptom that requires immediate medical intervention.
What diseases can cause pain under the left shoulder blade?
Painful syndrome on the left under the scapula is most often caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, heart, stomach and bronchopulmonary system.
Consider the possible diseases, accompanied by pain under the left shoulder blade, and the accompanying symptoms.
| Diseases | The nature of the pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Shoulder-scapular periatritis | The pain appears in the shoulder area and radiates to the scapula. | The patient cannot move freely (cannot put his hands behind his head because of pain), there is a crunch in the joints when moving. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | The painful sensation is localized in one of the intercostal spaces and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness. The pain syndrome intensifies when bending to the left. | In the course of the inflamed area, redness may appear, characteristic rashes on the skin may occur. |
| Diseases of the back muscles (myositis, inflammation, lesions) | Back pain occurs sharply, it can be aching in nature. | On the left side, pain appears when the scapula is injured, when the muscles are stretched. |
| Oncology | Aching pain under the left shoulder blade or sharp pains of a constant nature. | With tumors of the scapula, the thoracic part behind is deformed. |
| Trauma | Intense pain syndrome, especially in the first few hours immediately after the injury. | If the pain increases with movement, swelling or swelling occurs, it may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain is manifested either on an ongoing basis or "lumbago". | Unpleasant sensations appear in the spine - the feeling that they have "driven in a stake". |
| Heart disease | ||
| Angina pectoris | The pain under the left scapula from the back from the back occurs during exertion and radiates to the left arm, left scapula, sometimes to the left jaw. | It is accompanied by shortness of breath, fear of death. |
| Myocardial infarction | Burning pain under the left shoulder blade from the side of the heart. | Heart pain is not relieved with pills. The left hand grows numb, there is severe shortness of breath, the sternum begins to "burn". |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Aching character of pain on the left side. | It is accompanied by chills, more often appearing at night and an increase in temperature. |
| Ascending aortic dissecting aneurysm | Pain syndrome migrates from top to bottom. Initially, the pain occurs in the chest, then gradually moves under the left shoulder blade and further into the lower back. | A sharp drop in pressure. |
| Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system | ||
| Left-sided pneumonia | The pain is moderately intense. | Cough with phlegm, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | Pain manifests itself when breathing | Shortness of breath, wheezing sensation in the lungs. |
| Gastrointestinal pathologies | ||
| Stomach ulcer | The pain under the scapula is accompanied by a burning sensation (more often at night). | Pain associated with eating. |
| Perforated ulcer | Sharp and stabbing pain (like a stabbing). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | Shingles pains, sometimes they can radiate to the side. | Flatulence, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms accompanying the pain syndrome can help determine the disease caused by pain on the left under the scapula:
- Pain worsens after eating- peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- The pain gets worse when you sneeze- bone diseases, trauma, pleurisy, neuralgia, joint and muscle pathologies.
- Pain manifests itself when turning the head- osteochondrosis, collarbone injury.
- Pain occurs when swallowing- diseases of the esophagus, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain is accompanied by shortness of breath- pleurisy, cardiac pathology, intercostal neuralgia.
- With pain, a cough appears- damage to the respiratory system.
- The appearance of the temperature- infectious and inflammatory processes: pericarditis, purulent pleurisy, subphrenic abscess.
- Pains are accompanied by numbness in the left arm.- angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, myocardial infarction.
- Nausea and belching accompany pain- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (pancreatitis, ulcer, gastritis).
- With pain, numbness occurs in the tongue- angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
In pregnant women, pain under the scapula occurs for the same reasons as in other people, but in the expectant mother, the risk of developing certain diseases is much higher. The most likely cause of back pain on the left in a pregnant woman is osteochondrosis (due to the greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity), overstrain of the back muscles.
In children, pain under the scapula usually occurs as a result of trauma, with neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnostics and treatment. Which doctor should I go to?
You should choose a doctor to make an appointment with, depending on the nature of the pain and its manifestations:
- Emergency doctor- with sharp, intense pain, burning sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, accompanied by pain with severe dizziness, severe weakness or loss of consciousness.
- Neurologist- if the pain is associated with exertion or movement.
- Traumatologist- if the pain appeared after an injury.
- Cardiologist- with a burning sensation behind the sternum, extending under the scapula, in the left hand, in the jaw.
- Pulmonologist (or therapist)- if the pain sensations increase with breathing and are accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, fever.
- Gastroenterologist- if the pain is associated with meals and is accompanied by dyspeptic disorders.
- Surgeon- pain under the scapula is accompanied by deformation of the sternum, with sharp pains accompanied by high fever.
If it is difficult to independently decide on the choice of a doctor, it is worth contacting a therapist, who, based on the results of the examination, will appoint an appointment with a narrow specialist.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed depending on the reasons that caused the pain under the left shoulder blade, behind:
- General examination - taking anamnesis and interviewing the patient, visual examination (measuring pulse, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, listening), taking blood and urine tests.
- X-ray examination, CT and MRI - determines the pathology of the spinal column and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, EGD - gastrointestinal diseases.
- Ultrasound and ECG - prescribed for the examination of cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment regimen for pain under the left shoulder blade is selected for each disease specifically - there is no single treatment protocol.
Important!Treatment of pain under the scapula on the left is primarily the treatment of a disease provoking pain syndrome.
If the pain is associated with cardiovascular pathologies, cardiac medications are prescribed, a diet that is sparing physical and psycho-emotional activity is prescribed.
Gastrointestinal pathologies that cause pain are treated with antacids and a gentle diet.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are treated with the help of long-term therapy, including the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, the performance of special therapeutic exercises.
Surgical treatment is prescribed when conservative therapy is ineffective. Surgical intervention is mandatory for a perforated ulcer, severe pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, rupture of the spleen, intervertebral hernia.
If pain appears under the left shoulder blade, it is imperative to be examined by a doctor in order to avoid the onset and development of life-threatening pathologies.