Pain under the shoulder blade on the left side is a fairly common symptom that can occur in men, women and even children.At first glance, such symptoms seem frivolous, but in fact, pain under the left shoulder blade from the back can be a sign of many dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of such a pain syndrome, and usually they are not at all related to problems with the shoulder blades themselves.Most often, the cause of pain is inflammatory and pathological processes in other organs and systems.
Why does my left shoulder blade hurt?
To understand why it hurts under the shoulder blade, we need to remember the human anatomy.After all, most often nearby organs hurt, although it happens that the pain radiates along nerve fibers far from the source of the disease.
The left shoulder blade is located on the ribs that make up the chest.The ribs are connected to each other by ligaments and intercostal muscles, there are intercostal vessels and intercostal nerves between the individual ribs.The intercostal nerves, on the other hand, originate from the spinal cord, which is located in the spinal cord, in the middle of the shoulder blade.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 musculoskeletal disorders, 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 scapula pain can be determined based on its nature, intensity and location:
- Pain radiating to the left shoulder blade.The pathological source of such pain may be far from the site 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 prolonged chronic process.Such painful manifestations can be associated with chronic heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis) and 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.The pain typically spreads from the back of the head to the back, arm, and under the shoulder blade and is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, and numbness (tingling) of the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Intense pain is not typical in the shoulder blade area, which means that it serves as an indication of a pathological condition that can be life-threatening.At best, severe pain may indicate intercostal neuralgia, but such sensations more often indicate the presence of a peptic ulcer and the development of a pre-infarction condition.
- Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade.Intercostal neuralgia can cause sharp pain - when inhaling, the pain syndrome clearly intensifies, and there is a feeling that you are “holding your breath”.Sharp pain can be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting-stabbing symptoms on the entire left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade.Less often, severe pain may occur during the exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is girdling and spasmodic in nature.
- Bursting pain under left shoulder blade.It can indicate the initial stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain starts just below the occipital bone and radiates to the left (or right) side of the back.
- Burning under the shoulder blade.This symptom may indicate prolonged intercostal neuralgia, anginal attacks or heart attack.Sometimes a burning sensation under the shoulder blade can indicate the development of vegetative-vascular dystonia.In this case, the pain is accompanied by tachycardia, hand tremors, and a strong feeling of fear.
- Constant pain under the shoulder blade 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, lack of air, and shortness of breath.
- Stitching pain under left shoulder blade.Stitching pains (so-called "lumbago") are most often signs of osteochondrosis, but they can also indicate intercostal neuralgia.Tingling in the back during physical exertion, deep breathing or coughing can be a sign of the development of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressing pain.It indicates the development of osteochondrosis, and may also indicate the initial stage of coronary heart disease and the exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain.Most often, the protrusion of the intervertebral disc on the left side manifests itself in this way in the thoracic or cervical spine.Throbbing pain may indicate a herniated disc or incipient aortic dissection.
- Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade.It indicates dangerous conditions and requires immediate medical attention.The causes of the pain syndrome can be: angina attacks, protrusion of the intervertebral disc on the left side, stomach ulcer.
The nature and location of the pain may vary, but most often pain under the left shoulder blade is a very dangerous symptom that requires immediate medical attention.
What diseases can cause pain under the left shoulder blade?
The painful syndrome under the shoulder blade on the left side is most often caused by pathologies of the locomotor system, heart, stomach and bronchopulmonary system.
Consider the possible diseases associated with pain under the left shoulder blade and the accompanying symptoms.
| Diseases | The nature of pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotor system | ||
| Humeroscapular periarthritis | Pain appears in the shoulder area and radiates to the shoulder blade. | The patient cannot move freely (he cannot put his hands behind his head due to pain);joints crack 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 rashes may appear on the skin along the inflamed area. |
| Diseases of the back muscles (myositis, inflammations, lesions) | Back pain comes on suddenly and can be painful. | Pain occurs on the left side when the scapula is injured or when the muscles are strained. |
| Oncology | Aching pain under the left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | In the case of tumors of the scapula, the posterior chest part is deformed. |
| Injuries | Severe pain, especially in the first few hours after the injury. | If the pain increases with movement, there is swelling or swelling, this may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain occurs constantly or in "lumbago". | Unpleasant sensations appear in the spine - a feeling as if a "stake has been driven in". |
| Heart diseases | ||
| Angina pectoris | The pain under the left shoulder blade, coming from the back, occurs during exertion and radiates to the left arm, left shoulder blade, and sometimes to the left jaw. | It is accompanied by shortness of breath and fear of death. |
| Heart attack | Burning pain under the left scapula from the side of the heart. | Heartache cannot be soothed with pills.The left arm goes numb, severe shortness of breath occurs, and the sternum begins to "burn". |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Aching pain in the left side. | It is accompanied by chills, occurs more often at night and increased temperature. |
| Ascending aortic aneurysm dissection | The pain syndrome travels from top to bottom.Initially, the pain appears in the chest, then gradually moves under the left shoulder blade and further into the lower back. | Sharp pressure drop. |
| Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system | ||
| Left sided pneumonia | Moderate pain. | Cough with sputum, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | Pain occurs during breathing | Shortness of breath, wheezing sensation in the lungs. |
| Digestive system pathologies | ||
| Stomach ulcer | Pain under the shoulder blade is accompanied by a burning sensation (usually at night). | The pain is associated with eating. |
| Perforated ulcer | Sharp and stabbing pain (like a stab). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | The pain is circling and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Bloating, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms accompanying the pain syndrome can help identify the disease that causes pain under the shoulder blade on the left side:
- The pain increases after eating- gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- The pain increases when sneezing– bone diseases, injuries, pleurisy, neuralgia, pathologies of joints and muscles.
- Pain occurs when turning the head– osteochondrosis, clavicle injuries.
- Pain occurs when swallowing– diseases of the esophagus, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain with shortness of breath– pleurisy, heart diseases, intercostal neuralgia.
- Pain causes coughing- damage to the respiratory system.
- Appearance of temperature- infectious and inflammatory processes: pericarditis, purulent pleurisy, subphrenic abscess.
- Pain accompanied by numbness in the left arm– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
- Nausea and belching accompany the pain- gastrointestinal diseases (pancreatitis, ulcers, gastritis).
- The pain causes numbness in the tongue– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
Pregnant women experience pain under the shoulder blades for the same reasons as other people, but expectant mothers are at a much higher risk of developing certain diseases.The most likely cause of left back pain in pregnant women is osteochondrosis (due to greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity), and overloading of the back muscles.
In children, pain under the shoulder blade usually occurs due to injuries, neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnosis and treatment.Which doctor should I see?
Depending on the nature and manifestations of the pain, you should choose a doctor to make an appointment with:
- Emergency physician- with sharp, intense pain, burning sensation 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 occurred after an injury.
- Cardiologist– with a burning sensation behind the sternum, under the shoulder blade, in the left arm, extending 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 eating and is associated with dyspeptic disorders.
- Surgeon- pain under the shoulder blade is associated with deformation of the sternum, sharp pain, and high fever.
If it is difficult to decide on the choice of doctor on your own, contact a therapist, who will make an appointment with a specialist based on the results of the examination.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed depending on the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade:
- General examination - history taking and questioning of the patient, visual examination (pulse, blood pressure, temperature measurement, palpation, auscultation), blood and urine examination.
- X-ray examination, CT and MRI - determines pathologies of the spine and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs, FGDS - diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Ultrasound and EKG - prescribed for examination of cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment regimen for pain under the left shoulder blade is selected separately for each disease - there is no single treatment protocol.
Important!The treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is primarily the treatment of the disease causing the pain syndrome.
If the pain is associated with cardiovascular pathologies, cardiological drugs and a diet that is gentle on 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 if conservative therapy is ineffective.In case of perforated ulcers, severe gastrointestinal pathologies, splenic rupture and intervertebral hernia, surgery is mandatory.
If you feel pain under the left shoulder blade, you should definitely undergo a medical examination to avoid the occurrence and development of life-threatening pathologies.