Back pain under the left shoulder blade 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, piercing, cutting, cramping.There is a visceral pain syndrome associated with organ pathology in the projection of pain.In the region of the left scapula, 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 project.
Sometimes there is referred pain that spreads from a distant organ, such as the heart and autonomic ganglia.Discomfort under the left shoulder blade requires conservative therapy or emergency medical care.
Gastric ulcer
The formation of an ulcer in the upper parts of the stomach causes pain or cramps in the epigastric region and under the left shoulder blade.Discomfort associated with eating.Increased pain is observed on an empty stomach and at night (“hunger” pain).After eating, the pain subsides.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 hole in the stomach with the abdominal cavity) causes sharp, dagger-like 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 of an increasing 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 shoulder blade region.Osteochondrosis, spondylosis and intervertebral disc herniation cause compression 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).Characterized by a crisis in the neck and thoracic spine during movements, tension in the muscular corset of the back and a sensation of a “stake driven” in the spine.
In the case of intercostal neuralgia, burning pain is noted in the region 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 damage to the levator scapulae muscle.The muscle's tendons 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 is constant, the intensity increases when lifting the arms, carrying heavy objects, lying down 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 dull pain under the left shoulder blade.The pain syndrome intensifies at the height of inspiration, when coughing, sneezing and decreases when lying on the affected side.Characterized by an increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees, a dry cough or with the release of mucopurulent sputum.Left-sided dry pleurisy is characterized by sharp pain at the height 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 strange movements, hypothermia or drafts.
Angina and myocardial infarction
Coronary heart disease (CHD) includes angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, which usually causes pain behind the sternum and under the left shoulder blade.Angina pectoris causes sharp 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 spreads under the left shoulder blade, into the jaw and into the left arm.
The pain syndrome increases, lasts more than 15 minutes and is not relieved by nitroglycerin.There is a decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia, numbness in the fingers of the left hand and fear of death.If a clinical picture of the disease occurs, it is necessary to call an ambulance and admit the patient to a cardiological hospital.
Vegetative crises
NCD (neurocirculatory dystonia) of the cardiac type causes clinical conditions that resemble angina pectoris or myocardial infarction.The pain syndrome occurs under the left shoulder blade and behind the sternum, spreading along the left arm, in the left half of the jaw, in the interscapular area.The disease is characterized by a feeling of tremor in the body, difficulty breathing, heaviness in the chest, panic, fear of death, feeling of shortness of breath, lump in the throat.The pain syndrome does not have a permanent location and can occur in the abdomen, neck or head.Taking sedative and tranquilizing medications normalizes the general condition.
If pain appears under the left shoulder blade, consult a specialist to identify the cause and treat the disease.Timely seeking medical help avoids the risk of disease progression and complications.