Pain that appears on the left, under the shoulder blade, is a very common symptom that can occur in men, women and even children.At first glance, these symptoms seem frivolous, but in fact, back pain under the left shoulder blade can be a harbinger of a number of dangerous diseases.
There are many reasons why this pain syndrome occurs, and they are usually not 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 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 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 is located on the ribs that form the chest.The ribs are connected to each other by intercostal ligaments and 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.Along 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 shoulder blade pain can be determined based on its nature, intensity and location:
- Pain radiating to the left shoulder blade.The pathological source of this pain may be located far from the site of the pain.Most often, this symptom is characteristic of stomach or heart diseases.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Indicates the presence of a prolonged chronic process.These painful manifestations can be associated with chronic heart diseases (pericarditis, myocarditis), as well as 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, the pain spreads from the back of the head along the back, arm, under the shoulder blade and is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, numbness (tingling) in the hands.
- Severe pain under the left shoulder blade.Severe pain is not typical for the scapular region, which means it serves as a sign of a pathological condition that can be fatal.At best, severe pain may indicate intercostal neuralgia, but more often such sensations indicate the presence of peptic ulcer disease 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 “taken out of breath”.Acute pain may be caused by left-sided pneumonia in the acute phase, while the patient feels cutting and stabbing symptoms on the entire left side of the chest, radiating to the left shoulder blade.Less often, severe pain may occur during exacerbation of pancreatitis - the pain is circular and cramping in nature.
- Dull pain under the left shoulder blade.It may indicate the initial stage of 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, 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.This 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 shortness of breath and shortness of breath.
- Stitching pain under the left shoulder blade.Stitching pains (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 developing 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, the protrusion of the left-sided 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, protrusion of the intervertebral disc on the left side, 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?
Pain 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.
| Illnesses | Nature of the pain | Associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Humeroscapular periatritis | The pain appears in the shoulder region and radiates to the shoulder blade. | The patient is unable to move freely (cannot put his hands behind his head due to pain);there is a crunch in the joints during movement. |
| Intercostal neuralgia | The pain is localized in one of the intercostal spaces and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness.The pain intensifies when leaning to the left. | Along the inflamed area, redness and characteristic rashes may appear on the skin. |
| Back muscle diseases (myositis, inflammation, injuries) | Back pain occurs suddenly and can be painful in nature. | Pain appears on the left side when the shoulder blade is injured or when the muscles are tense. |
| Oncology | Severe pain under the left shoulder blade or constant sharp pain. | In tumors of the scapula, the thoracic part at the back becomes deformed. |
| Injuries | Severe pain, especially in the first few hours immediately after the injury. | If the pain intensifies with movement, swelling or swelling occurs, it may be a fracture of the scapula or rib. |
| Osteochondrosis, spondylosis, thoracic scoliosis, intervertebral hernia | Intense pain manifests itself constantly 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 in the back occurs during exertion and radiates to the left arm, left shoulder blade, and sometimes the left jaw. | Accompanied by shortness of breath and fear of death. |
| Myocardial infarction | Burning pain under the left shoulder blade, on the side of the heart. | Heart pain cannot be relieved with pills.The left arm becomes numb, severe shortness of breath appears and the sternum begins to “burn”. |
| Pericarditis and myocarditis | Aching pain in left side. | Accompanied by chills, appearing more frequently at night and an increase in temperature. |
| Dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta | The pain syndrome migrates from top to bottom.Initially, the pain occurs in the chest, then gradually passes under the left shoulder blade and further to the lower back. | A sharp decrease in pressure. |
| Bronchopulmonary system diseases | ||
| Left-sided pneumonia | Moderately intense pain. | Cough with sputum, wheezing in the lungs, fever. |
| Pleurisy | Pain occurs when breathing | Shortness of breath, wheezing sensation in the lungs. |
| Gastrointestinal 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, stabbing pain (like a stab wound). | Fever, vomiting. |
| Acute pancreatitis | The pain is enveloping in nature and can sometimes radiate to the side. | Flatulence, repeated vomiting, fever. |
Other symptoms accompanying pain syndrome can help identify the disease caused by pain in the left side under the shoulder blade:
- Pain gets worse after eating– peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, gastritis.
- Pain worsens when sneezing– bone diseases, injuries, pleurisy, neuralgia, joint and muscle pathologies.
- Pain occurs when turning the head– osteochondrosis, injuries to the clavicle.
- Pain occurs when swallowing– diseases of the esophagus, psychosomatic disorders.
- Pain accompanied by shortness of breath– pleurisy, cardiac pathologies, intercostal neuralgia.
- Pain causes cough- damage to the respiratory system.
- Temperature appearance– 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 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 is at a much higher risk of developing certain diseases.The most likely cause of left back pain in a pregnant woman is osteochondrosis (due to increased load on the spine), pyelonephritis (due to displacement of the kidneys and activation of their activity) and excessive tension of the back muscles.
In children, pain under the shoulder blade often occurs due to injuries, neuralgia (after hypothermia), myositis, pleurisy.
Diagnosis and treatment.Which doctor should I contact?
You should choose a doctor to make an appointment depending on the nature of the pain and its manifestations:
- Emergency doctor– with sharp and intense pain, burning in the chest, shortness of breath, when the pain is accompanied by intense dizziness, intense weakness or loss of consciousness.
- Neurologist– if the 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, in the left arm, in the jaw.
- Pulmonologist (or therapist)– if the pain intensifies when breathing and is accompanied by coughing, 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 you have difficulty deciding on your own choice of doctor, 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 - patient history and interview, visual examination (pulse measurement, blood pressure, temperature, palpation, auscultation), blood and urine tests.
- X-ray examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging - determine pathologies of the spine and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as diseases of the pulmonary system.
- Ultrasound of abdominal organs, FGDS – gastrointestinal diseases.
- Ultrasound and ECG - prescribed for examination of cardiovascular diseases.
The treatment regimen for pain under the left shoulder blade is selected specifically for each disease - there is no single treatment protocol.
Important!Treatment of pain under the left shoulder blade is primarily the treatment of the disease that causes 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 with antacids and a moderate 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 feel pain under the left shoulder blade, you should definitely be examined by a doctor to prevent the occurrence and development of potentially fatal pathologies.