Pain that appears on the left side under the shoulder blade is a fairly common symptom that can occur in men, women, and even children.At first glance, such symptoms seem trivial, but in fact, pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be a precursor to a number of dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of this pain syndrome, and they are usually not related to problems in the shoulder blades themselves.The cause of pain is most often inflammatory and pathological processes in other organs and systems.
Why do I have pain under my left shoulder blade?
To understand why it hurts under the shoulder blade, we need to remember the anatomical structure of a person.After all, those organs that are nearby hurt most often, although it happens that the pain radiates along the nerve fibers far from the source of the disease.
The left shoulder blade is located on the ribs that form the chest.The ribs are interconnected by ligaments and intercostal muscles, and between each rib there are intercostal vessels and intercostal nerves.In turn, the intercostal nerves arise from the spinal cord, which is located in the vertebral body centrally from the scapula.Along 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 functioning 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 its nature, intensity and location:
- The pain spreads to the left shoulder blade.The pathological source of such pain can be located far from the place of pain.Most often, this symptom is characteristic of diseases of the stomach or heart.
- Aching pain under left shoulder blade.It indicates the presence of a long-term 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 left shoulder blade.It most often occurs against the background of the development of thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis.Typically, the pain spreads from the back of the head along the back, arm, under the shoulder blade and is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness (tingling) of the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Intense pain is not typical for the scapula area, which means that it serves as a signal of a pathological condition that can be life-threatening.At best, severe pain may indicate intercostal neuralgia, but more often such feelings indicate the presence of a peptic ulcer and the development of a pre-infarction condition.
- Sharp pain under left shoulder blade.Intercostal neuralgia can cause sharp pain - when inhaling, the pain syndrome clearly intensifies, and there is a feeling of "taking your breath away".Sharp pain can be caused by left pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms on the entire left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade.Rarely, severe pain may occur during an exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is dangerous and spasmodic in nature.
- Aching pain under left shoulder blade.It may indicate the initial stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain starts just below the occipital bone and radiates to the left (or right) side of the back.
- Roasting under the spatula.This symptom may indicate prolonged intercostal neuralgia, angina attacks or myocardial infarction.Sometimes the appearance of a burning sensation under the shoulder blade may indicate the development of vegetovascular dystonia.In this case, the pain is accompanied by tachycardia, trembling of the hands and a strong feeling of fear.
- Constant pain under the scapula on the left side.Such a pain syndrome may indicate the development of left-sided pneumonia.In this case, the pain is accompanied by a dry cough, low temperature, feeling of lack of air and shortness of breath.
- Stitching pain under left shoulder blade.Stitching pains (so-called "lumbago") are most often a sign of osteochondrosis, but they can also indicate intercostal neuralgia.Tingling in the back that occurs during physical exertion, deep breathing or coughing can be signs of the development of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressure pain.It indicates the development of osteochondrosis, and may also indicate the initial phase of coronary heart disease and worsening of vegetovascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain.Left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic or cervical spine is most often manifested in this way.Throbbing pain may indicate a herniated disc or incipient aortic dissection.
- Sharp pain under left shoulder blade.It indicates dangerous conditions and requires immediate medical intervention.The causes of pain syndrome can be: angina attacks, left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc, stomach ulcer.
The nature of the pain and its location can vary, but most often pain under the left shoulder blade is a very dangerous symptom that requires immediate medical intervention.
What diseases can cause pain under the left shoulder blade?
Pain syndrome to the left under the shoulder blade is most often caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, heart, stomach and bronchopulmonary system.
Let's consider possible diseases accompanied by pain under the left shoulder blade and accompanying symptoms.
| Diseases | Nature of pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Humeroscapular periarthritis | The pain occurs in the shoulder area and spreads to the shoulder blade. | The patient cannot move freely (he cannot put his hands behind his head due to pain);there is a creaking in the joints when moving. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | The pain is localized in one of the intercostal spaces and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness.The pain increases when bending to the left. | Redness and characteristic skin rashes may appear along the inflamed area. |
| Back muscle diseases (myositis, inflammation, lesions) | Back pain occurs suddenly and can be painful in nature. | The pain occurs on the left side when the scapula is injured or when the muscles are strained. |
| Oncology | Aching pain under left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | In scapula tumors, the thoracic part is deformed at the back. |
| Injuries | Intense pain, especially in the first few hours immediately after the injury. | If the pain increases with movement, there is swelling or swelling, it may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain is manifested either constantly or in "lumbago". | Unpleasant sensations appear in the spine - the feeling that "a stake has been driven in". |
| Heart disease | ||
| Angina pectoris | Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back occurs during exertion and radiates to the left hand, left shoulder blade, and sometimes to the left jaw. | It is accompanied by shortness of breath and the fear of death. |
| Myocardial infarction | Burning pain under the left scapula on the side of the heart. | Heartache cannot be eased with pills.The left arm goes numb, there is severe shortness of breath, and the sternum begins to "burn". |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Aching pain in left side. | It is accompanied by chills, which occur more often at night, and an elevated temperature. |
| Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta | The pain syndrome migrates from top to bottom.At first, 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 | Moderately intense pain. | Cough with sputum, wheezing, fever. |
| Pleurisy | The pain occurs when breathing | Shortness of breath, a whistling sensation in the lungs. |
| Gastrointestinal pathologies | ||
| Stomach ulcer | Pain under the shoulder blade is accompanied by a burning sensation (usually at night). | Pain is associated with eating. |
| Perforated ulcer | Sharp and stabbing pain (like a stab). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | The pain is of a dangerous nature and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Bloating, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms that accompany the pain syndrome can help identify the disease caused by the pain on the left side under the shoulder blade:
- The pain is worse after eating– peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- The pain is worse when sneezing– bone diseases, injuries, pleurisy, neuralgia, joint and muscle pathologies.
- The pain occurs when turning the head– osteochondrosis, clavicle injuries.
- Pain occurs when swallowing– esophageal diseases, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain accompanied by difficulty breathing– pleurisy, cardiac pathologies, intercostal neuralgia.
- Pain causes coughing- damage to the respiratory system.
- Temperature display- infectious and inflammatory processes: pericarditis, purulent pleuritis, subphrenic abscess.
- Pain accompanied by stiffness in the left arm– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, myocardial infarction.
- Nausea and belching accompany the pain– gastrointestinal pathologies (pancreatitis, ulcer, gastritis).
- Pain causes numbness of the tongue– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
Pregnant women feel pain under the shoulder blade for the same reasons as other people, but the expectant mother has a much higher risk of developing certain diseases.The most likely cause of pain in the left back in a pregnant woman is osteochondrosis (due to greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to the movement of the kidneys and activation of their activity), and overstrain of the back muscles.
In children, pain under the scapula most often occurs due to injuries, neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnosis and treatment.Which doctor should I contact?
You should choose a doctor with whom you will make an appointment depending on the nature of the pain and its manifestations:
- Emergency doctor- with sharp, intense pain, burning in the chest, shortness of breath, when the pain is accompanied by severe dizziness, severe weakness or loss of consciousness.
- A neurologist– if the pain is related to loading or movement.
- Traumatologist– if the pain appeared after the injury.
- Cardiologist- with a burning sensation behind the sternum, which spreads under the shoulder blade, into the left arm, into the jaw.
- pulmonologist (or therapist)- if the pain intensifies when breathing and is accompanied by cough, shortness of breath and fever.
- Gastroenterologist- if the pain is associated with a meal and accompanied by dyspeptic disorders.
- A surgeon- pain under the shoulder blade is accompanied by deformation of the sternum, with sharp pain accompanied by high temperature.
If it is difficult to decide on the choice of a doctor on your own, contact a therapist, who will schedule an appointment with a specialist based on the results of the examination.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed depending on the reasons that caused the pain under the left shoulder blade, behind:
- General examination - history taking and examination of the patient, visual examination (measurement of pulse, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, auscultation), blood and urine collection.
- X-ray examination, CT and MRI - determine pathologies of the spinal column and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound of abdominal organs, FGDS - gastrointestinal diseases.
- Ultrasound and EKG - prescribed for examining cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment regimen for pain under the left shoulder blade is selected for each disease separately - there is no single treatment protocol.
Important!The treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is primarily the treatment of the disease that causes the pain syndrome.
If the pain is associated with cardiovascular pathologies, cardiac drugs and a diet that is mild in terms of physical and psycho-emotional activity are prescribed.
Gastrointestinal pathologies that cause pain are treated by taking antacids and prescribing a gentle diet.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are treated with long-term therapy, including taking anti-inflammatory drugs and performing special therapeutic exercises.
Surgical treatment is prescribed when conservative therapy is ineffective.Surgery is mandatory for perforated ulcers, severe gastrointestinal pathologies, rupture of the spleen and intervertebral hernia.
If you feel pain under the left shoulder blade, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor in order to avoid the appearance and development of life-threatening pathologies.