Sometimes we feel discomfort in the back on the left side. These can be pains of a different nature - pulling, stabbing, aching. They may be accompanied by additional symptoms. Pain under the left shoulder blade is usually not the only symptom. This is one of the signs of the manifestation of any disease. All complaints and symptoms together will help the doctor to choose the direction of diagnosis. After all, emergency help is often needed.
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.
Scapula performs the 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:
- associated with pathology of the musculoskeletal system,
- associated with the pathology of any internal organ.
Why there is discomfort on the left side
Many of us with the appearance of pain on the left side, first of all, consider problems with the work of the heart. In fact, more often the cause is a spinal problem. Malfunctions in the work of internal organs can also occur.
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, shoulder blade injuries, rib fractures, myofascial syndrome, Sprengel's disease.
- Diseases of the bronchi and lungs: pneumonia, localized on the left side, dry pleurisy, bronchitis in the acute stage of the flow, tracheitis, left-sided lung abscess.
- Diseases of the cardiological system: angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, heart attack, valve prolapse.
- Diseases of the stomach and intestines: ulcers on the stomach and duodenum, gastroesophagitis, reflux, spasm of the esophagus.
- Psychosomatic course of the disease with vegetative-vascular dystonia.
The relationship between pain and disease
Patients can characterize the nature of pain from pain to cutting and burning. There are several typical signs of pain that distinguish them from other diseases:
| Name of the disease | The pain that characterizes it |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Pain in the area of the left scapula is of a burning nature, causing a feeling of compression of the retrosternal space. It appears in the same place, moving to the left side - back, shoulder blade, arm. With pressure, as if squeezing the pain in the heart, the spread of myocardial infarction is possible. In this case, urgent hospitalization is necessary. |
| aortic aneurysm | The pain is sharp, shooting, growing, 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 burning sensation is possible, when inhaling with a full chest, a piercing pain occurs in the scapula. |
| Left-sided pneumonia | The pain is not strong, painful, 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 at the base of the neck. It is manifested by painful sensations, aggravated by a sharp movement of the head. It can give in the hand, be accompanied by dizziness, 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, it happens in the evening. In the morning, the stiffness of the spinal muscles is felt. Unlike heart pain, it does not go away after taking medication. Severe headaches that do not depend on pressure may occur. |
| Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, stomach and intestinal ulcers | 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 food leaves 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, go to the hospital immediately. At the beginning of the disease, the pain may subside after vomiting. With reflux esophagitis, accompanying symptoms will be heartburn, belching and indigestion. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | Sharp shooting or belt pain is felt constantly or in attacks. It can appear on one side. It intensifies during sudden movements - sneezing, coughing, severe shortness of breath, walking, physical activity, palpation of the pain site. |
| Vegeto-vascular dystonia and myofascial syndrome | In myofascial syndrome, the pain is dull, coming from the depth of the tissue. It can occur both at rest and during physical activity. The intensity can vary from mild to severe. Objectively, during the examination, patients with VVD suffer from irritability, memory impairment, sweating, tachycardia and hand tremors. There are often changes in the heart muscle. The nature of the pain is similar to that of the heart. But an examination of the heart does not confirm the diagnosis. |
Diagnosis of the disease that caused the pain syndrome
A thorough examination will be required to determine what is causing the pain. First of all, it is necessary to consult a therapist or doctor. Based on the patient's complaints and examination, he will determine what research should be done.
The initial stage of treatment, if the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade, should be a visit to a local therapist. He will be able to perform an initial examination and prescribe all necessary examinations. And already with the existing examinations, you can go for consultations with narrow specialists.
The doctor will not be able to diagnose the disease based only on complaints about the pain syndrome. Complaints will be a push in the direction where a more thorough diagnosis is needed. Therefore, when contacting a doctor, it is necessary to know exactly the answers to questions about the nature of the pain, its localization and accompanying causes - the relationship with food intake, physical and emotional stress.
If myositis is suspected in a patient, a detailed blood analysis should be performed to confirm the inflammatory process.
In order to diagnose the disease more precisely, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations.
The first task is to rule out conditions that require immediate medical attention. These include: gastric and duodenal ulcers, heart attack, aortic rupture.
To understand what exactly hurts under the left shoulder blade, you need to undergo the following examinations:
- Visual examination and palpation of pain localization. Temperature, blood pressure and pulse will be measured.
- X-ray in several projections to confirm or deny problems with the spine and lungs.
- EKG to check heart function.
- To clarify the location of the spinal problem, a CT scan or MRI may be needed.
- If gastrointestinal problems are suspected, FGS - fibrogastroduodenoscopy - can be prescribed.
- General and biochemical blood tests.
In some types of pain, first aid can be provided with analgesics and antispasmodics. But their reception does not eliminate the cause, but only dampens the pain on the left side under the shoulder blade, which will definitely return after stopping the drug. To prevent the recurrence of pain, it is necessary to find out its cause.
In any case, if the left scapula hurts, after the first signs of pain stop, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination. After all, often the source of pain radiating to the scapula can be located elsewhere. Therefore, when a pain syndrome appears in the scapula region, it is necessary to visit: therapist, neurologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, traumatologist, with the exclusion of pathology by all the mentioned 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. There are specific treatment regimens for each specific disease. They necessarily include recommendations on physical activity and nutrition. The medication regimen is described in detail. They are combined depending on symptoms and complaints in order to relieve acute symptoms that threaten the patient's life.
In any case, you must remember that the pain in the left scapula can be removed only with drugs recommended by a specialist. Do not resort 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 the delay of heart or stomach pathologies.
- For example, in the case of reflux after the examination, drugs can be prescribed to reduce the acidity of the stomach, in order to facilitate its movement in the intestines. In this case, it is worth limiting the amount of food consumed, you should not bend over immediately after eating.
- In osteochondrosis, physiotherapy exercises, swimming, dry heat and increasing physical activity can be prescribed as medical procedures. All these measures are used as prophylaxis after the pain has stopped.
- If there is a diagnosis of ischemia, a heart medicine should be taken initially. If the pain in the scapula on the left side does not disappear after 10 minutes, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
- If there are problems with the cardiovascular system, the best prevention is constant intake of necessary drugs, diet, psychological stability and not excessive physical activity.
- If the pain in the scapula manifests itself due to problems with the spine, it is necessary to perform a set of special exercises for a long time and follow the recommendations of specialists for taking medication.
- If the appearance of pain under the shoulder blade on the left side is associated with stomach and intestinal problems, diet and medication will help to cope. In this case, psychoemotional balance is important, because stress often causes ulcers. A positive attitude and mastery of relaxation and relaxation techniques are essential.
If there is no result of conservative treatment, as well as when a perforated ulcer, a large hernia of the spine, rupture of the spleen is detected, surgical intervention is necessary.
In principle, in order to avoid serious health problems, an annual dispensary examination is necessary. It is necessary to undergo the necessary examinations in order to rule out the appearance of the disease in the near future.