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 sign of some dangerous disease.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of such a pain syndrome, and they are usually not at all related to problems with the shoulder blade itself.Often, the cause of pain is inflammatory and pathological processes in other organs and systems.
Why does it hurt 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, it is often the organs located nearby that hurt, although it happens that the pain radiates along the nerve fibers far from the source of the disease.
The left shoulder blade rests on the ribs that make up the chest.The ribs are connected to each other by intercostal ligaments and muscles, and between each rib there is an intercostal canal and an intercostal nerve.In contrast, the intercostal nerve arises from the spinal cord, which is located in the spinal cord central to the scapula.Along with the ribs, the scapula protects the left heart, left lung, stomach, spleen, pancreas and aorta.
Based on this location, the cause of pain can be divided into two main groups:
- Pain related to disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as muscle pain.
- Pain associated with pathological changes in the function 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:
- Pain radiating to the left shoulder blade.The pathological source of such pain may be located far from the site of pain.Often, these symptoms are characteristic of stomach or heart disease.
- Aching pain under the left shoulder blade.Indicates the presence of a protracted chronic process.Such painful manifestations may be associated with chronic heart disease (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Dull pain under left shoulder blade.Often it occurs against the background of the development of thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis.Typically, the pain spreads downward from the back of the head along the back, arms, under the shoulder blades and is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness (tingling) of the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Strong pain is not typical for the scapular area, which means 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 sensations 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 taking a breath, the pain syndrome clearly intensifies, and there is a feeling that you "sigh".Sharp pain can be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms throughout the left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade.Less often, severe pain can occur during exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is struggling and cramping.
- Pain under the left shoulder blade.May indicate an early stage of the development of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain starts just below the occipital bone and radiates to the left (or right) of the back.
- Burning under the shoulder blades.These symptoms may indicate prolonged intercostal neuralgia, angina attacks, or myocardial infarction.Sometimes, the appearance of a burning sensation under the scapula may 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, a feeling of lack of air, and shortness of breath.
- Stitching pain under left shoulder blade.Stitching pain (the so-called "lumbago") is most often a sign of osteochondrosis, but can also indicate intercostal neuralgia.Tingling in the back that occurs during physical exercise, deep breathing, or coughing may be a sign of the development of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressing pain.Indicates the development of osteochondrosis, and may also indicate the initial stages of coronary heart disease and exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain.Most often, the protrusion of the left side of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic or cervical spine manifests itself in this way.Throbbing pain may indicate a herniated disc or recent aortic dissection.
- Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade.Indicates a dangerous condition and requires immediate medical intervention.The cause of the pain syndrome can be: angina attack, protrusion of the left side of the intervertebral disc, gastric ulcer.
The nature of the pain and its location may 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?
Painful syndrome on the left side under the scapula is most often caused by pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, heart, stomach and bronchopulmonary system.
Let's consider the possible diseases that are accompanied by pain under the left shoulder blade and accompanying symptoms.
| Illness | Nature of pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Humeroscapular periarthritis | Pain appears in the shoulder area and radiates to the shoulder blade. | The patient cannot move freely (cannot put his hands behind his head because of pain);There is irritation in the joints when moving. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | The pain is localized in one of the intercostal spaces and is accompanied by numbness.Pain increases when bending to the left. | Along the inflamed area, redness may appear and a characteristic rash may appear on the skin. |
| Back muscle diseases (myositis, inflammation, lesions) | Back pain occurs suddenly and can be painful in nature. | Pain appears on the left side when the scapula is injured or when the muscles are strained. |
| Oncology | A sharp pain under the left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | With a tumor of the scapula, the thoracic part in the back is deformed. |
| injury | Severe pain, especially the first few hours after the injury. | If the pain increases with movement, swelling or swelling occurs, this may be a fracture of the shoulder blade or ribs. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain manifests itself either continuously or in "lumbago". | An unpleasant sensation appears in the spine - the feeling that "the bet has been pushed in." |
| Heart disease | ||
| Angina pectoris | Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back occurs during exercise and radiates to the left arm, left shoulder blade, and sometimes to the left jaw. | Accompanied by shortness of breath and fear of death. |
| Myocardial infarction | Burning pain under the left shoulder blade from the side of the heart. | Heart pain cannot be cured with pills.The left arm became numb, severe shortness of breath appeared, and the sternum began to "burn." |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Pain in the left side. | Accompanied by chills, more often appearing at night and an increase in temperature. |
| Dissecting an ascending aortic aneurysm | 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 then to the lower back. | Sudden drop in pressure. |
| Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system | ||
| Left sided pneumonia | Moderate to severe pain. | Cough with phlegm, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | Pain occurs when breathing | Shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs. |
| Gastrointestinal pathology | ||
| Stomach ulcer | Pain under the shoulder blade accompanied by a burning sensation (usually at night). | Pain associated with eating. |
| Perforated ulcers | Sharp, stabbing pain (like a stab). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | The pain is radiating and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Flatulence, 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 scapula:
- Pain worsens after eating- peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- Pain worsens when sneezing– bone diseases, injuries, pleurisy, neuralgia, joint and muscle pathology.
- Pain occurs when turning the head- osteochondrosis, clavicle injury.
- Pain occurs when swallowing– esophageal disease, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain accompanied by shortness of breath- pleurisy, heart pathology, 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, myocardial infarction.
- Nausea and belching accompany the pain- gastrointestinal pathology (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 anyone else, but expectant mothers have a higher risk of developing certain diseases.The most likely causes of left back pain in pregnant women are osteochondrosis (due to a greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity), and back muscle overstrain.
In children, pain under the shoulder blade usually occurs as a result of injury, neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnosis and treatment.Which doctor should I contact?
You should choose a doctor who 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.
- Neurologist– if pain is associated with load or movement.
- Trauma specialist– if the pain appears after the injury.
- Cardiologist– with a burning sensation behind the sternum, extending below the shoulder blade, to the left arm, to the jaw.
- Pulmonologist (or therapist)– if the pain worsens when breathing and is accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
- Gastroenterologist– if the pain is associated with food and is accompanied by dyspeptic disorders.
- Surgeon– pain under the shoulder blade accompanied by deformation of the sternum, with sharp pain accompanied by high fever.
If it is difficult to decide on the choice of doctor yourself, you should contact a therapist, who, based on the results of the examination, will schedule an appointment with a specialist.
Diagnostic measures are prescribed depending on the cause of the pain under the left shoulder blade, in the back:
- General examination - taking anamnesis and interviewing the patient, visual examination (measurement of pulse, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, auscultation), taking blood and urine tests.
- X-ray, CT and MRI examinations - determine the pathology of the spine and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Abdominal organ ultrasound, FGDS – gastrointestinal disease.
- Ultrasound and ECG - prescribed for the examination of cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment regimen for pain under the left shoulder blade is selected for each disease specifically - there is no single treatment protocol.
Important!The treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is mainly the treatment of diseases that cause pain syndrome.
If the pain is associated with cardiovascular pathology, cardiological drugs and a gentle diet on physical and psycho-emotional activity are prescribed.
Gastrointestinal pathology that causes pain is treated by taking antacids and prescribing a soft 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 pathology, rupture of the spleen, and intervertebral hernia.
If you experience pain under your left shoulder blade, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor to prevent the occurrence and development of life-threatening pathologies.