Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back is a clinical symptom of many diseases.The nature of the pain syndrome helps the doctor to make a preliminary diagnosis and determine the tactics of diagnostic examination.The intensity of the pain can be acute and chronic, and the sensations can be dull, aching, stabbing, cutting, cramping.There is a visceral pain syndrome associated with organ pathology in pain projection.The upper parts of the stomach, the cervical and thoracic spine, the scapular muscles, the left lung and pleura and the muscular structure of the back are projected into the area of the left scapula.
Sometimes there is referred pain that spreads from a distant organ, such as the heart and autonomic ganglia.Discomfort under the left scapula requires conservative therapy or emergency medical care.
Gastric ulcer
The formation of an ulcer in the upper part of the stomach causes shooting pain or cramps in the epigastric region and under the left shoulder blade.Discomfort associated with eating.You notice increased pain on an empty stomach and at night ("hunger" pain).After eating, the pain decreases.Eating spicy, fatty and starchy foods causes vomiting, which brings relief.The onset of pain syndrome is characterized by seasonality: exacerbation of the disease occurs in spring and autumn.
Ulcer perforation (formation of a through hole in the stomach with the abdominal cavity) causes sharp stabbing pain under the left scapula due to irritation of the peritoneum by the acidic contents of the stomach.Tension of the abdominal muscles, repeated vomiting, paleness, cold sweat, decreased blood pressure, and increased heart rate occur.The pain is increasing in nature and can cause depression of consciousness.A perforated ulcer is an acute condition that requires emergency surgical care.
Degenerative diseases of the spine
Degenerative changes in the cervical and upper thoracic spine lead to localized pain in the left scapula area.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, herniated intervertebral discs cause pinching of the nerve roots that innervate the left half of the thorax.
The pain syndrome is painful, constant or periodic, intensifies with intense physical activity or prolonged static position (sitting, standing).Characterized by a crunch in the neck and thoracic spine during movements, tension in the muscular corset of the back and a feeling of "driving a stake" in the spine.
In intercostal neuralgia, burning pain is noted in the area of the intercostal spaces, which spreads towards the left scapula.When moving, discomfort increases, palpation of the chest is painful.
Scapulocostal syndrome
The disease is associated with inflammation or injury of the levator scapulae muscle.The tendons of the muscle are attached to the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae.Pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade when bending the neck and moving the upper shoulder girdle.The pain has a constant aching character, the intensity increases when raising the arms, carrying heavy objects or lying or standing for a long time.An exacerbation of the disease is observed after physical exertion and hypothermia.
Pleuropneumonia and pleurisy
Inflammation of the lungs involving the pleura in the pathological process causes a dull pain under the left shoulder blade.The pain syndrome intensifies at the peak of inspiration, when coughing, sneezing and decreases when lying on the affected side.Characterized by an increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees, dry cough or with the release of mucopurulent sputum.Left-sided dry pleurisy is characterized by excruciating pain upon inspiration, which diminishes with limited movement of the left half of the chest.When listening to the lungs, a pleural friction noise is determined.
Myositis
Inflammation of the back muscles: Myositis leads to cutting pain located under the left shoulder blade.The pain syndrome intensifies when the body is tilted in the opposite direction, decreases after thermal procedures and at rest.Discomfort in the upper back appears after awkward movements, hypothermia or exposure to drafts.
Angina and myocardial infarction
Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, which often cause pain behind the breastbone and under the left shoulder blade.Angina pectoris causes sharp, crushing pain.The provoking factor is emotional stress or physical activity.The discomfort lasts no more than 15 minutes and decreases with rest or after taking a nitroglycerin tablet.
Myocardial infarction develops due to blockage of a coronary artery by a thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque.As a result, myocardial ischemia occurs.The disease is characterized by sharp compressive pain behind the sternum, extending under the left shoulder blade, lower jaw and left arm.
The pain syndrome increases, lasts more than 15 minutes and is not relieved by nitroglycerin.A decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia, numbness in the fingers of the left hand and fear of death are noted.If a clinical picture of the disease occurs, it is necessary to call an ambulance and hospitalize the patient in a cardiac hospital.
Vegetative crises
NCD (neurocirculatory dystonia) of the cardiac type causes clinical conditions reminiscent of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.The pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade and behind the sternum, spreads along the left arm, in the left half of the jaw, in the interscapular area.The disease is characterized by a feeling of trembling in the body, difficulty breathing, heaviness in the chest, panic fear of death, feeling of lack of air, lump in the throat.The pain syndrome does not have a permanent localization and can occur in the abdomen, neck or head.Taking sedative and tranquilizing drugs normalizes the general condition.
If pain appears under the left shoulder blade, you should consult a specialist to identify the cause and treat the disease.Timely seeking medical help prevents the risk of disease progression and complications.