Causes of pain under the left shoulder blade in the back from the back

To understand what pathology has taken over your body, you need to accurately describe the symptoms. Back pain under the left scapula from the back is a common symptom of serious health problems. The difficulty in determining a specific disease is that pain in this area of the back can manifest itself in various pathologies. From vascular injuries to pathologies of the nervous system.

Types of pain sensation

When pain appears on the left under the scapula, it is necessary to understand what character it is. Several types of pain are known:

1. The pain under the left scapula of a shingles character lasts for a long time, the discomfort covers one area of the back. During a painful attack, there is a feeling of shortness of breath, coughing and shortness of breath appear. The situation is related to the fact that in the intercostal space there is a nerve pulsation.
2. The burning sensation is accompanied by numbness of a part of the skin. The patient feels a tingling sensation that spreads throughout the body.
3. Growing character. The peculiarity of this type is that the entire left arm begins to hurt, causing an increase in muscle tone. Making hand movements becomes unbearable.
4. Intense treble. The person loses the ability to take a lying position on the left side. Difficulty breathing is noted with difficult inhalation. Movement increases pain, then it becomes difficult to move.
5. Discomfort in the back of the scapula, characterized by displacement. Cutting pain occurs in the left scapula, then localizes centrally along the spine. The patient has an audible sigh.
6. Boring and painful, you could say, the easiest manifestation of the aforementioned. Whining in the area of the scapula will be only when the person moves, raise the sore arm.
7. The pull syndrome will appear in the upper back, down the spine to the lumbar region.
8. And another type: a sharp character.

The list is not limited to the listed types of pain symptoms. There are pressing pain and tingling sensations that cannot be confused with other manifestations.

Attention should be paid to the nature of the pain syndrome. It will be easier for a specialist doctor to determine your pathology.

What triggers the onset of the syndrome?

Why is there discomfort under the scapula? The appearance of pain under the scapula can be explained by human anatomy. Often, one part of the body is affected, and the unpleasant sensation spreads along the nerve trunks to other organs. The left shoulder blade "rests" on the costal arches, which together form the rib cage. With the help of intercostal muscles and ligaments, the costal arches are connected to each other.

Under each rib are vessels and nerves that run from the spinal cord, from the spinal column. The complex of ribs and left scapula has a protective function. They restrict the internal organs from any kind of damage: heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.

As a result of the anatomical location of the scapula, two large groups can be the cause of pain:

1. Caused by a violation of the musculoskeletal system. This also includes muscle pain syndrome.
2. Feelings due to dysfunction of internal organs.

Diagnostics

To establish the cause of the onset of pain and make the correct diagnosis, the following types of diagnoses are prescribed:

• X-ray examination of the spine.
• Gastroscopy.
• CT, MRI.
• ECG.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
• UAC, LHC.

Depending on the damage factor, a specialist will prescribe the treatment.

What is connected with

If it hurts from behind, the sensation is located under the left shoulder blade, usually associated with one of the following disorders:

• Musculoskeletal system pathology;
• Diseases of a heart nature;
• Diseases of the bronchopulmonary sphere;
• Dysfunction of the digestive tract.

Musculoskeletal disorders

There are cases when manifestations of painful sensations arise as a result of the destruction of the skeleton. Patients suffering from osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, spondyloarthrosis, hernia and other disorders feel pain on the left side under the scapula. The symptom is of two types.

• First, pain and aches are associated with diseases of the chest. The character hurts, restricts movements, does not allow a deep breath.
• Another type manifests itself in the form of severe colic.

Scapular periarthritis of the shoulder is an inflammatory disease of the shoulder structure. Radiating pain occurs in the left arm, the left half of the back, causing stiffness and pain in movements.

Sprengel syndrome is the presence of a pterygoid scapula in a patient, congenital or as a result of disease. Prolonged tingling pain is characteristic.

Pathologies associated with the heart and blood vessels.

Acute ischemia of the heart muscle: myocardial infarction. With a heart attack, compression in the thoracic region is characteristic. It spreads from the heart to the left scapula, upper arm, and lower back. This condition can be fatal if left untreated. It is characterized by a pronounced burning sensation and severe pain under the left shoulder blade, which interferes with normal inhalation and exhalation.

The difference between myocardial infarction is that it does not stop taking nitroglycerin, the attack lasts more than 15 minutes. Numbness in the hands is common. With the development of the state, there can be no doubt.

Disease of the cardiological sphere, manifested by sharp cuts in the heart with irradiation under the left scapula - an attack of angina pectoris. Primary manifestations: compression in the region of the heart extends to the left side. Cardialgia is narrow and constricted, it can be aggravated by movement.

The difference between angina and a heart attack is that an angina attack can be stopped by taking nitroglycerin or with physical and psychological rest. The cause of the attack is atherosclerosis of the cardiac (coronary) arteries. Provoking factors: hypothermia or overheating, alcohol abuse, heavy food intake.

A vegetative crisis is a condition similar to the manifestations of angina or heart attacks. Heaviness and compression appear under the left scapula and in the sternum. It extends over the left shoulder, forearm, reaches the distal phalanges of the fingers. It radiates to the left side of the jaw and to the area between the shoulder blades.

The pathology is characterized by chills, inspiratory dyspnea, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. The syndrome is short-lived and spreads to the epigastric region, the neck. By taking sedatives and tranquilizers, you can stop the vegetative crisis.

Bronchopulmonary diseases

Diseases of the respiratory system are also the cause of the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the area of the back on the left. The main place is occupied by pneumonia or pleurisy, if at least one lung is affected. The pain syndrome is accompanied by coughing, sneezing, and increased pain with deep breathing. Characterized by an increase in temperature, a decrease in weight, wheezing in the lungs during auscultation. It is very difficult to breathe. A kind of short pain.

Disorders in the organs of the digestive system.

Increased pain is characteristic of stomach ulcers. It is associated with the use of food, after vomiting, the pain weakens. In the stomach area, start pulling. A reliable sign that you are dealing with a peptic ulcer is heartburn. Painful not only in the subscapularis, but also on the left side of the chest. The process is accompanied by muscle tension, shortness of breath.

If the pain syndrome has arisen suddenly and is manifested by acute impulses, it is necessary to urgently contact an ambulance. Acute pancreatitis can cause serious discomfort. The sensations are of the nature of shingles, the attack develops suddenly. A rare cause can be a ruptured spleen. With trauma to the splenic tissues, bleeding appears, almost impossible to stop. Emergency surgery is required.

Damage to the scapular region

1. Cervical osteochondrosis.
2. Violation of the walls of the intercostal nerves.
3. Scapular rib syndrome (occurs with physical overexertion, injury, it can also slip and cause this syndrome).
4. Malignant neoplasm of the skeleton.
5. Osteomyelitis (can appear after a gunshot wound)
6. The defeat of the subscapularis.
7. Shoulder-scapular periarthritis.

Psychosomatic

There are cases when painful sensations arise on the left with psychological pathologies or strong psycho-emotional stress. The reason for the appearance of the pain syndrome is clear to everyone, it is caused by stress and emotional stress. Psychosomatic diseases are accompanied by pain in the area of the scapula, somatic disorders are observed. These include:

1. The temperature rises to high figures.
2. Compression, burning in the sternum.
3. Knot in the throat.
4. Feeling short of breath

Who to contact

Given the intensity and nature of the pain under the scapula, you can seek help from the following specialists:

• It is necessary to call an ambulance team in case of sudden onset of symptoms with increased pain and deterioration of health.
• In case of trauma, which resulted in unpleasant sensations (stretching, weight lifting), contact an orthopedic surgeon.
• Shortness of breath, bluish skin tone, tingling in the chest area should be the impetus for consulting a cardiologist.
• It is necessary to consult a neurologist and orthopedist in case of pain that increases with exercise with the hands, physical activity, with known disorders of the spine.

• Pain after eating, dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting) is a reason to visit a gastroenterologist.
• See a pulmonologist if your back hurts, especially on the left side under the scapula, accompanied by coughing and shortness of breath.
• When the pain is permanent or temporary, it appears for no apparent reason, they go to a therapist. After a thorough examination and diagnosis, the therapist refers the patient to a limited specialist.
• If, as a result of instrumental examination methods, it was not possible to establish the cause of the symptoms, with frequent stress, psycho-emotional stress, the consultation of a psychologist and psychiatrist is needed.

Subscapular pain therapy

There is no general treatment plan for treating patients with upper back pain. Therapy is carried out taking into account the etiology of the disease. For symptoms associated with disorders of the musculoskeletal system, treatment is carried out according to the following protocol:

It is necessary to give the patient special treatment.

• Provide peace. There are times when sufficient rest removes muscle tension, restores function, and relieves pain.
• The medical method of treatment is used for inflammatory processes. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.
• For long-lasting chronic pain, antidepressants are prescribed.
• With muscle spasm, muscle relaxants are given. To achieve the maximum effect, most often the drug is prescribed in combination with NSAIDs, analgesic drugs, massage and physiotherapy procedures, exercise therapy.
• The appointment of massage courses has a beneficial effect on the state of the muscles. Helps relieve muscle spasms, relieve pain, improve blood circulation and well-being.
• To restore nerve conduction, eliminate painful symptoms, acupuncture is used.

The method of therapy is prescribed individually for bronchopulmonary, cardiological and gastrointestinal diseases. The necessary vitamins, antibacterial drugs, painkillers and NSAIDs are selected.

Patients with symptoms of heart attack and angina pectoris are subject to emergency hospitalization.

When diagnosing aneurysms and serious pathologies, they resort to surgical intervention.

Prophylaxis

1. Daily training, gymnastics. Half an hour hiking.
2. Complete and balanced nutrition.
3. Prevents injuries to joints and bones.

What the doctors say

Medical specialists recommend that patients who have had an angina attack or a heart attack take prescribed medications regularly, follow a diet, and avoid stress. Spinal disease requires long-term NSAID therapy and exercise therapy. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are stopped through the use of special drugs and adherence to a diet.

Doctors advise to follow a healthy lifestyle, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure.

conclusion

If you know for sure the cause of the discomfort under the left shoulder blade, you can start treatment faster. It is necessary to correctly find out the cause of the discomfort. As soon as you have symptoms of any of the considered pathologies, immediately consult a doctor. Be healthy!