Pain appearing on the left under the shoulder blade 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 harbinger of a number of dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of such pain syndrome, and they are usually not at all related to problems in the shoulder blades themselves.Most 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, most often it is those organs that are located nearby that hurt, although it happens that pain radiates along 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 connected to each other 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 spinal trunk central to the scapula.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 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:
- Pain radiating to the left shoulder blade.The pathological source of such pain may be located far from the site of pain.Most often, this symptom is characteristic of diseases of the stomach or heart.
- Aching pain under the left shoulder blade.Indicates the presence of a protracted chronic process.Such painful manifestations may be associated with chronic heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as with cervical osteochondrosis of the spine.
- Dull pain under the left shoulder blade.Most often it occurs against the background of the development of thoracic or cervical osteochondrosis.Typically, pain spreads down 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 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 - while inhaling, the pain syndrome clearly intensifies, and there is a feeling that you are “taking your breath away.”Sharp pain can be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms in the entire left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade.Less often, severe pain can occur during exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is girdling and cramping in nature.
- Nagging pain under the left shoulder blade.May indicate the initial stage of development of cervical osteochondrosis.The pain begins 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, 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.Such 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 the left shoulder blade.Stitching pains (so-called “lumbago”) are most often a sign of osteochondrosis, but can also indicate intercostal neuralgia.Tingling in the back that occurs during physical exertion, deep breathing, or coughing may be signs of the development of pleurisy or pneumonia.
- Pressing pain.Indicates the development of osteochondrosis, and may also indicate the initial stage of coronary heart disease and exacerbation of vegetative-vascular dystonia.
- Throbbing pain.Most often, left-sided protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic or cervical spine manifests itself in this way.Throbbing pain may indicate a herniated disc or incipient aortic dissection.
- Sharp pain under the left shoulder blade.Indicates dangerous conditions and requires immediate medical intervention.The causes of pain syndrome can be: angina attacks, left-sided protrusion 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 under the scapula 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 the accompanying symptoms.
| Diseases | Nature of pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Humeroscapular periatritis | Pain appears in the shoulder area and radiates to the shoulder blade. | The patient cannot move freely (cannot put his hands behind his head due to pain); there is a crunch 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 intensifies when bending to the left. | Along the inflamed area, redness may appear and characteristic rashes may appear on the skin. |
| Diseases of the back muscles (myositis, inflammation, lesions) | Back pain occurs suddenly and can be aching in nature. | Pain appears on the left side when the shoulder blade is injured or when the muscles are strained. |
| Oncology | Aching pain under the left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | With tumors of the scapula, the thoracic part at the back is deformed. |
| Injuries | Intense pain, especially the first few hours immediately after injury. | If the pain intensifies with movement, swelling or swelling occurs, this may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Severe pain manifests itself either on a constant basis or in “lumbago”. | Unpleasant sensations appear in the spine - a feeling that “a stake has been driven in.” |
| Heart diseases | ||
| Angina pectoris | Pain under the left shoulder blade from the back occurs during exertion 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 relieved with pills.The left arm goes numb, severe shortness of breath appears, and the sternum begins to “burn.” |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Aching pain on the left side. | Accompanied by chills, more often appearing at night and increased temperature. |
| Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta | The pain syndrome migrates from top to bottom.Initially, the pain occurs in the chest, then gradually moves under the left shoulder blade and further to the lower back. | A sharp decrease in pressure. |
| Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system | ||
| Left-sided pneumonia | Moderately intense pain. | Cough with sputum, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | Pain occurs when breathing | Shortness of breath, feeling of wheezing 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 girdling nature and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Flatulence, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms accompanying the pain syndrome can help identify the disease caused by 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, 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 accompanied by shortness of breath– pleurisy, cardiac pathologies, 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 pain– gastrointestinal pathologies (pancreatitis, ulcers, gastritis).
- Pain causes numbness in the tongue– angina pectoris, osteochondrosis, heart attack.
Pregnant women experience 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 left back pain in a pregnant woman is osteochondrosis (due to greater load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity), and overstrain 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 contact?
You should choose a doctor with whom to 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 loads or movements.
- Traumatologist– if the pain appeared after an injury.
- Cardiologist– with a burning sensation behind the sternum, extending under the shoulder blade, into the left arm, into the jaw.
- Pulmonologist (or therapist)– if pain intensifies when breathing and is accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, and fever.
- Gastroenterologist– if the pain is associated with meals and is accompanied by dyspeptic disorders.
- Surgeon– pain under the shoulder blade is accompanied by deformation of the sternum, with sharp pain accompanied by high fever.
If it is difficult to decide on the choice of a doctor on your own, 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 reasons that caused the pain under the left shoulder blade, behind:
- General examination - taking an anamnesis and interviewing the patient, visual examination (measurement of pulse, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, auscultation), taking blood and urine tests.
- X-ray examination, CT and MRI - determines pathologies of the spinal column and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, FGDS – gastrointestinal diseases.
- 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!Treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is primarily treatment of the disease causing the pain syndrome.
If the pain is associated with cardiovascular pathologies, cardiological medications 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 when conservative therapy is ineffective.Surgery is mandatory for perforated ulcers, severe gastrointestinal pathologies, splenic rupture, and intervertebral hernia.
If you experience pain under your left shoulder blade, you should definitely undergo an examination by a doctor to avoid the occurrence and development of life-threatening pathologies.