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 a diagnostic examination.The intensity of the pain can be acute and chronic, and the sensations can be dull, aching, stabbing, cutting, and cramping.There is a visceral pain syndrome associated with organ pathology in the projection of pain.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 in the area of the left scapula.
Sometimes referred pain occurs that spreads from a distant organ, such as the heart and autonomic ganglia.Discomfort below the left shoulder blade requires conservative therapy or emergency medical attention.
gastric ulcer
The formation of an ulcer in the upper part of the stomach causes pain or cramps in the epigastric region and under the left shoulder blade.Discomfort associated with food.An increase in pain is noted on an empty stomach and at night (“hunger” pain).After eating, the pain subsides.Eating spicy, fatty and starchy foods causes vomiting, which relieves.The appearance of pain syndrome is characterized by seasonality: the 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 dagger-shaped pain under the left shoulder blade due to irritation of the peritoneum by the acidic contents of the stomach.Tension of the abdominal muscles, repeated vomiting, pale skin, 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 cause localized pain in the area of the left shoulder blade.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis and herniated intervertebral discs cause pinching of the nerve roots that innervate the left half of the chest.
The pain syndrome is painful, constant or periodic, intensifies with intense physical activity or prolonged static position (sitting, standing).It is characterized by a crunch in the neck and thoracic spine during movements, tension in the muscular corset of the back, and a feeling of "driven stake" in the spine.
In the case of intercostal neuralgia, a burning pain is noted in the area of the intercostal spaces, which extends to the left scapula.When moving, the discomfort increases, palpation of the chest is painful.
Scapular-costal syndrome
The disease is associated with inflammation or injury to 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 painful character, the intensity increases when raising arms, carrying heavy objects, 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 time of inspiration, when coughing, sneezing, and decreases in the lying position on the affected side.It is characterized by an increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees, dry dry cough or with the release of mucopurulent sputum.Dry left-sided pleurisy is characterized by stabbing pain at the time of inspiration, which decreases 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 causes 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 uncomfortable movements, hypothermia or being in a draft.
Angina and myocardial infarction.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes angina and myocardial infarction, which often cause pain behind the breastbone and under the left shoulder blade.Angina pectoris causes sharp squeezing pain.The provoking factor is emotional stress or physical activity.The discomfort does not last 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, which extends under the left shoulder blade, to the 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 of 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 cardiology hospital.
Vegetative crises
Cardiac-type ENT (neurocirculatory dystonia) causes clinical conditions that resemble angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.The pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade and behind the sternum, spreads along the left arm, to the left half of the jaw and to 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 has no permanent location and can occur in the abdomen, neck or head.Reception of sedative and tranquilizer medications normalizes the general condition.
If pain appears under the left shoulder blade, it is worth consulting a specialist to identify the cause and treat the disease.Timely seeking medical help prevents the risk of progression of pathology and complications.