Pain in the left scapula from the back is a serious trouble, in which the ability to move is inevitably impaired and the person feels severe discomfort. For some conditions, patients may experience discomfort even at rest.
It is worth noting, however, that pain under the left scapula does not always indicate complex pathology. Sometimes it occurs by staying in the same unnatural position for a long time.
Disease overview
If you look at a person's back, you'll notice that the left shoulder blade is attached to the ribs that make up the ribcage. Nerves and blood vessels are located in the grooves between them. The ribs are connected by ligaments and muscles.
The spine, which contains the spinal cord, is located in the center of the back, with the shoulder blades on either side of it. Nerves run from the spine. Well-developed back muscles surround the shoulder blades.
The role of the bones is to protect the lungs, spleen, stomach and heart, the part of the aorta located in the chest.
Why is the subscapularis sore?
Left shoulder blade pain is usually caused by:
- Stomach ulcer. In this disorder, back pain often escalates. It usually appears after the next meal, but it decreases if the patient vomits. To determine whether the pain is really caused by the ulcer, it is necessary to track the presence of heartburn and belching. An unpleasant sensation, pain can start in the subscapular area on the left side or radiate to the sternum. At the same time, the patient loses not only the ability to move freely, but also the ability to breathe deeply. The discomfort a person experiences when trying to relax can complicate breathing. As a result of these difficulties, other dysfunctions, neurological dysfunctions, may begin. If the pain under the left shoulder blade is severe and unexpected, it is worth calling a medical team for help;
- Acute pancreatitis is a physical condition that causes severe pain under the left shoulder blade. Uncomfortable sensations are always characteristic, and the pain in this disorder is sudden, encircling;
- Plant crisis. Symptoms come vividly and complicate the patient's life. In addition to the annoying pain behind the left shoulder blade, a feeling of chest tightness may begin, and the patient notices a fever in the same area without being able to accurately identify the problem area. Due to breathing problems, patients often feel fearful, anxious, and gradually experience suffocation and a lump in the throat. Discomfort can also be felt in other parts of the body;
- Sometimes pain from behind under the left shoulder blade due to myocardial infarction. In most cases, the condition is considered life-threatening. The earlier it is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. The patient felt a burning sensation in the problem area and he was unable to take a deep breath. Pain in the left scapula was quite intense and did not respond to nitroglycerin medication, which could last about 10 minutes. The disorder is characterized by numbness in the hands with each attack;
- Angina pectoris. A pathological condition that is also often painful on the left side below the scapula. It felt extremely unpleasant and sharp and seemed to be compressing the chest. The cause of the unpleasant condition is a change in the size of the lumen of the blood vessel. Severe physical exertion, alcoholism, and hypothermia may trigger attacks. To relieve attacks, nitroglycerin can be used;
- Pathological conditions of the respiratory organs. If there is frequent pain under the left shoulder blade, dry pleurisy or pneumonia may be the cause. I feel sick every time I try to cough, sneeze or even take a deep breath. The pain is always directed towards the affected lung area. The role can be changed according to the state of the person - the pain is negligible, and it can be said to be a cut or even a puncture;
- Aortic aneurysm - characterized by increased load on the heart valves. The heart then stops performing its full function. Because of this, venous blood begins to stagnate in the lungs, and edema develops. Where an aneurysm attaches to a blood vessel, the wall becomes thinner - it can rupture at any time and cause abdominal bleeding;
- When there is pain under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back, the cause may be a biphasic rupture of the spleen. This condition falls into the rarest category. The injury causes abdominal bleeding that cannot be stopped. This condition requires immediate surgery, especially if the pain under the left shoulder blade is severe.
Such conditions must be recognized as soon as possible. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be to fight the disease.
Without timely and appropriate assistance from health workers, patients will only achieve disease progression, which can be fatal.
Disease of the support device, causing discomfort
Pain from the back to under the left shoulder blade can be caused by problems with the spine and other bony areas. Treatment will be determined after diagnosis. Discomfort can sometimes occur for the following reasons:
- Cervical osteochondrosis. In the early stages of the disease, the feeling of discomfort is suppressed and the patient is not always able to clearly explain the exact location of his concerns. In this case, the most vivid sensation is in the area of the damaged nerve root. Pain attacks can start suddenly, and if the patient spends some time in a warm bath, they can tug and lose intensity. In the cervical area, blood vessels and nerves can become pinched, which can be very painful. The course of the disease is accompanied by pain radiating to the arm. Cervical osteochondrosis mainly occurs in people who are sedentary. Left shoulder blade pain may be tingling or painful;
- Intercostal nerves may be affected. This condition is known as the main cause of back pain on the left side under the shoulder blade. Coughing, breathing deeply, and even bending the torso to the left can make symptoms worse. They are very strong, sharp, and often - shoot. Pain in the left shoulder blade area may become burning as the disease progresses;
- Scapular-rib syndrome is characterized by pain or a pulling sensation. The area of discomfort is usually under the shoulders, above and below the shoulder blades. The main characteristic of pathology is the creaking noise you hear when you move your shoulders and arms. The disease is caused by severe physical stress or arm injury, and sometimes severe hypothermia;
- Bones can be affected by malignant tumors, which can cause discomfort. On the scapula, in this case the tumor or the resulting metastases are localized;
- Crunchy shoulder blades. This disease falls under the category of rare diseases. In this case, the pain under the left shoulder blade is not intense, but there is a noticeable tightening when moving in the upper back area;
- Sometimes the left shoulder blade is painful due to osteomyelitis after a specific injury. For example, a weapon injury may be the cause;
- Scapula periarthritis. With simple developmental forms, the sensations are not particularly bright - often manifestations of the disease occur as a result of movement. Pathologies in the acute stage of development may present with increased symptoms, often worsening at night. During this period, shoulder mobility is limited, basal temperature rises, and muscle spasms.
Pain from under the shoulder blade on the left side of the back may indicate a serious pathological condition, particularly suspecting that their character is burning, stabbing.
Even as a result of pregnancy, this condition can occur due to increased stress.
When the left scapula is injured, the attack can be triggered by injuries such as fractures or cracks. In this case, the discomfort manifests as pain under the left shoulder blade, which is exacerbated by any awkward movements.
Significant stress of an emotional, psychological nature that the body cannot cope with can trigger feelings. If the patient is dismissive of symptoms, the severity of the condition may worsen.
Before pathological treatment, the cause of the painful condition should be determined. Determining the nature of the pain syndrome is important for correct diagnosis.
The options are as follows:
- Low back pain, in which the local discomfort is only in one place. A person can feel it all the time, and the pain increases when inhaling. Sudden movements and coughing can exacerbate the patient's condition. The reason is the passage of nerve impulses between the ribs;
- Burning, tingling, numbness in some areas from behind under the left shoulder blade;
- Pain caused by increased muscle tone in the shoulders and back may get worse;
- Acute pain - may cause the patient to be unable to breathe, have difficulty with movement, and be unable to lie on the left side;
- Cutting pain can be on the left side, then to the center;
- A dull, dull pain in the back under the left shoulder blade is usually present when the arm is raised;
- Severe, severe pain under the left shoulder blade;
- A sense of stretch extending from the shoulder blades to the waist;
- The pain may be constant, which does not allow you to lie down, move, or breathe.
Because the types of sensations can vary from disease to disease, it's impossible to pinpoint the cause.
If severe pain syndrome occurs, you need to consult a doctor for examination.
diagnosis method
When there is pain and pain in the left side of the back under the shoulder blade, you must start treatment and have a thorough physical examination. For diagnosis, use the following procedure:
- Spine X-rays in different projections. Snapshots can also help identify lung problems;
- MRI, CT;
- ECG study - if there are appropriate symptoms;
- organ ultrasound examination;
- blood tests - general, biochemical;
- Assess blood pressure, pulse.
When the patient is examined and the pathological cause is determined, treatment options can be selected. Additional consultation with narrow specialists may be required.
How the disease is treated
When it is clear why the lower back is painful on the left scapula and the patient is unable to take a deep breath, it is time to start treatment. The method of eliminating discomfort depends on the factors that lead to the development of the pathology. It's not enough to just get rid of the symptoms—they quickly reappear.
Each disease has different symptoms, depending on the treatment option chosen. Each includes advice on choosing a diet and adhering to a daily regimen, with the help of medication if the pain is dull.
There may be no positive motivation to use conservative therapy -- in which case the patient needs surgery. With the help of surgery, large enough hernias can be treated, spleen ruptures corrected, and stomach ulcers healed.
If the patient notices severe pain and burning under the left shoulder blade, persistent discomfort that increases with deep breathing, you should go to the hospital immediately. First, you should contact a therapist - he will decide which specialist to refer the patient to based on existing symptoms.
You can't completely protect yourself from all existing diseases, but you can try to take some precautions. Pay more attention to the choice of diet and do warm-up exercises every day.
If you know why your left side is hurting below your shoulder blade, it's time to start treatment. Not all pathologies can be completely overcome, but in such cases, action can be taken on them to slow the progression of the disease.