To understand what pathology has reached your body, you need to describe the symptoms exactly. Back pain under the left shoulder blade is a common symptom of severe health problems. The difficulty in defining a particular disease is that pain in this area may manifest itself in a variety of pathologies. From vascular lesions to pathologies of the nervous system.
Types of pain sensation
When the pain appears on the left side under the shoulder blade, you need to understand what character it is. Several types of pain are known:
- The pain under the left shoulder blade of the shingle character lasts for a long time, the discomfort covering one area of the back. Shortness of breath, cough and shortness of breath occur during a painful attack. The situation is related to the fact that there is a nervous pulsation in the intercostal space.
- The burning sensation is accompanied by numbness of part of the skin. The patient feels a tingling sensation that extends throughout the body.
- Growing character. The peculiarity of this type is that the entire left arm begins to ache, provoking an increase in muscle tone. Hand gestures become unbearable.
- Sharply intense. The person loses the ability to take a supine position on the left side. Shortness of breath is detected with difficulty inhaling. Movement increases the pain and then makes it difficult to move.
- Uncomfortable feeling in the back of the shoulder blade, characterized by displacement. Cutting pain occurs in the left scapula and is then localized in the middle along the spinal column. The patient gets an audible sigh.
- It is boring and painful, so to speak, the simplest manifestation of the above. The shoulder area can only be whimpered when the person is moving, lift the sore arm.
- Pulling syndrome appears in the upper back, down from the spine to the lumbar region.
- And another kind - a sharp character.
The list is not limited to the types of pain symptoms listed. There are oppressive pains 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 the doctor to determine your pathology.
What triggers the onset of the syndrome?
Why is there an uncomfortable feeling under the shoulder blade? The appearance of pain under the shoulder blade can be explained by human anatomy. Often one part of the body is affected and the discomfort spreads to other organs along the nerve trunks. The left shoulder blade "lies" on the rib arches, which together form the rib frame. With the help of the ligaments and the intercostal muscles, the rib arches are connected to each other.
Beneath each rib are vessels and nerves that extend from the spinal cord, the spinal column. The complex of ribs and left shoulder blades provides a protective function. They limit the internal organs from any damage: heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.
Due to the anatomical location of the shoulder blade, two major groups can cause pain:
- Caused by a violation of the musculoskeletal system. This includes muscle pain syndrome.
- Feelings due to internal organ dysfunction.
Diagnostics
The following types of diagnostics are prescribed to determine the cause of pain and to make a correct diagnosis:
- X-ray examination of the spine.
- Gastroscopy.
- CT, MRI.
- ECG.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.
- UAC, LHC.
Depending on the cause of the injury, the specialist will prescribe treatment.
What is it related to
If it hurts from behind, the sensation is localized under the left shoulder blade - usually associated with one of the following disorders:
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system;
- Heart disease;
- Diseases of the bronchopulmonary sphere;
- Gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Musculoskeletal disorders
There are cases where manifestations of painful feelings arise as a result of the destruction of the skeleton. Patients with osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, spondyloarthrosis, hernia, and other disorders feel pain on the left side under the shoulder blade. There are two types of symptoms.
- First, pain and pain are associated with chest diseases. The character hurts, restricts movements, does not allow deep breathing.
- Another type can be felt in the form of intense colic.
Shoulder-shoulder periarthritis is an inflammatory disease of the shoulder structure. Radiant pain occurs in the left arm, in the left half of the back, causing stiffness and pain in the movements.
Sprengel syndrome is the presence of pterygoid scapula in a patient due to congenital or disease. Prolonged, tingling pain is typical.
Cardiac and vascular pathologies
Acute ischemia of the heart muscle - myocardial infarction. In case of myocardial infarction, compression of the chest region is typical. It extends from the heart to the left shoulder blade, 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 cannot be stopped by taking nitroglycerin, the seizure lasts more than 15 minutes. Numbness of the hand is common. The development of the state cannot be hesitated.
A disease of the cardiological sphere that manifests itself in acute incisions of 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. Cardialgia is astringent and sharp, the movement can be aggravated.
The difference between an angina pectoris and a heart attack is that an angina attack can be stopped by taking nitroglycerin or by physical and psychological rest. The cause of the attack is atherosclerosis of the arteries in the heart (coronary arteries). Provocative factors: hypothermia or overheating, alcohol consumption, abundant food intake.
A vegetative crisis is a condition similar to the manifestations of angina or heart attack. Gravity and compression appear under the left scapula and sternum. It spreads to the left shoulder, the forearm, reaching 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, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and lack of air. The syndrome is short-lived and spreads to the epigastric region, the neck. You can stop the vegetative crisis by taking sedatives and sedatives.
Bronchopulmonary diseases
Respiratory diseases are also the cause of discomfort in the left posterior area. The main site is occupied by pneumonia or pleurisy if at least one lung is involved. Pain syndrome is accompanied by coughing, sneezing, and increased pain with deep breathing. It is characterized by an increase in temperature, weight loss, respiration in the lungs during ausculation. It is very difficult to breathe. It's a kind of pain cut.
Disorders of the digestive system
Increasing pain is characteristic of a gastric ulcer. It involves the use of food, after vomiting the pain weakens. It starts to pull in the stomach area. Heartburn is a reliable sign that it is a peptic ulcer. It is painful not only in the subscapular but also on the left side of the chest. The process is accompanied by muscle tension and difficulty breathing.
If the pain syndrome occurs suddenly and manifests itself in sharp impulses, an ambulance should be contacted urgently. Acute inflammation of the pancreas can cause severe discomfort. The feelings are shingle in nature, the attack develops suddenly. Cracking of the spleen may be a rare cause. With the trauma of the splenic tissues, bleeding appears, it is almost impossible to stop. Emergency surgery is required.
Damage to the shoulder blade region
- Cervical osteochondrosis.
- Violation of the walls of the intercostal nerves.
- Scapular-rib syndrome (occurs in case of physical overload, injury, may slip over and cause this syndrome).
- Malignant neoplasm of skeleton.
- Osteomyelitis (may occur after a gunshot wound)
- The defeat of the subscapularis.
- Shoulder periarthritis.
Psychosomatics
There are cases where the painful feelings on the left are associated with psychological pathologies or severe psychoemotional stress. The cause of the onset of pain syndrome is clear to everyone, provoked by stress and emotional stress. Psychosomatic illnesses are accompanied by pain in the shoulder blade, somatic disorders are observed. These include:
- The temperature rises to high numbers.
- Compression, burns in the sternum.
- Lots in the throat.
- Feeling short of air.
Who to turn to
Depending on the intensity and nature of the pain under the shoulder blade, you can seek help from the following professionals:
- It is necessary to call an ambulance team in case of sudden symptoms, increasing pain and deteriorating health.
- In case of trauma that caused discomfort (stretching, weight lifting), consult a traumatologist.
- Difficulty breathing, bluish skin tone, tingling in the chest area should be the urge to refer to a cardiologist.
- It is necessary to consult a neurologist and orthopedist for pain that is exacerbated by hand movements, physical activity, known disorders of the spine.
- Postprandial pain and dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting) justify a visit to a gastroenterologist.
- See a pulmonologist if your back hurts, especially on the left side under the shoulder blade, with coughing and shortness of breath.
- When the pain appears permanent or temporary for no apparent reason, they turn to a therapist. After thorough examination and diagnosis, the therapist refers the patient to a narrow specialist.
- If the cause of the symptoms could not be determined as a result of the instrumental examination methods, in case of frequent stress, psycho-emotional stress, the consultation of a psychologist and psychiatrist is required.
Subcapular pain therapy
There is no general therapeutic plan for the treatment of patients with upper back pain. Therapy is carried out taking into account the etiology of the disease. In case of symptoms associated with musculoskeletal disorders, treatment should be performed according to the following protocol:
Special treatment of the patient is required.
- To provide peace of mind. There are times when adequate rest relieves muscle tension, restores function, and relieves pain.
- The medical treatment method is used for inflammatory processes. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.
- Antidepressants are prescribed for long-term chronic pain.
- In case of muscle cramps, muscle relaxants are given. To achieve maximum effect, the drug is prescribed more often in combination with NSAIDs, analgesics, massage and physiotherapy procedures, and training therapy.
- The appointment of massage courses has a beneficial effect on the condition of the muscles. It helps relieve muscle cramps, relieves pain, improves blood circulation and well-being.
- Acupuncture is used to restore nerve conduction and eliminate painful symptoms.
The therapeutic method is prescribed individually for bronchopulmonary, cardiological and gastrointestinal diseases. They select the necessary vitamins, antibacterial drugs, painkillers and NSAIDs.
Patients with symptoms of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris are treated in an emergency hospital.
Surgery is used to diagnose aneurysms and severe pathologies.
Prophylaxis
- Daily training, gymnastics. Hiking for half an hour.
- A complete balanced diet.
- Prevents damage to joints and bones.
What does the doctor say
Doctors recommend that patients who have had angina pectoris or a heart attack take their prescribed medications regularly, follow a diet, and avoid stress. Spinal disease requires long-term NSAID treatment and exercise therapy. The pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are stopped by the use of special drugs and adherence to the diet.
Doctors advise to follow a healthy lifestyle, it is easier to prevent the disease than to cure it.
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 identify the cause of the inconvenience. As soon as symptoms of any of the pathologies examined appear, consult a physician immediately. To be healthy!