Pain under the left shoulder blade in the back from behind is a symptom that occurs in both the elderly and young people. Muscle tension after physical exertion or chronic stooping can cause discomfort. The concentration of back pain from behind not only indicates diseases of the musculoskeletal system: problems with the organs of the chest and abdominal cavity are possible. If the discomfort under the shoulder blade on the left side increases, it is necessary to see a specialist.
Anatomical features
The shoulder blade is closely connected to the collarbone and forms the collarbone-shoulder joint. The costal arches and the vertebral axis are attached to the shoulder blades on several sides. The bone formations listed hold the shape of your chest and back.
The lungs and heart are at the level of the thoracic spine segment. Problems with these organs can cause pain. In addition, discomfort occurs due to pinching of the nerve roots of the spinal cord, which are located in the spinal canal (next to the shoulder blades).
Causes of discomfort in the area of the shoulder blade
There are 5 main groups of causes of pain:
- Musculoskeletal disorders: variants of intercostal neuralgia, arthritis of the shoulder joint, neoplasms. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebral axis - osteochondrosis, hernias, protrusions, myositis - can also become a provoking factor.
- Cardiovascular diseases: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, infections of the layers of the heart (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis).
- Pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system: bronchitis, pneumonia or pleural inflammation, tuberculosis.
- Gastrointestinal problems: chronic pancreatitis, gastric ulcer, spleen injury.
- Damage to the shoulder blade of various origins: trauma, inflammation, tuberculosis.
How to get rid of pain on the left side of the back under the shoulder blade
If the diagnosis has already been confirmed by a doctor (osteochondrosis or chronic pancreatitis), it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations given previously.
Musculoskeletal disorders in the acute stage require the use of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Caution should be exercised when using warming ointments: apply the medicine only to the shoulder blade region, without affecting the projection of the heart. Otherwise, you could cause a rapid heartbeat and arrhythmia.
With chronic pancreatitis or gastric ulcer, a special diet is required, in which enzymes or antiulcer drugs are taken according to the scheme.
Any discomfort forces you to reduce physical activity: the patient is given rest. For sleeping, it is recommended to choose an orthopedic pillow and mattress.
Important! If the pain under the left shoulder blade persists with a change in posture and does not subside at rest, you should urgently consult a doctor to rule out an acute myocardial infarction.
Possible diseases
The list of diseases that are accompanied by symptoms of pain:
- Bursitis- Inflammation of the periarticular shoulder bag. As a result of injuries or excessive stress, soft tissues swell and pressure on surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons occurs. The unpleasant sensations when raising the hand gradually turn into an acute pain syndrome, which is manifested even in a dream. Bacterial (septic) bursitis is a result of infection of the mucous membrane. It is characterized by an increase in temperature, reddening of the skin of the shoulder, severe pain.
- Osteochondrosis of the chest region.Degenerative changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs provoke muscle spasms, pinching of nerve roots, vascular bundles. The clinical picture begins with a slight tingling sensation in the chest or back. The increasing complaints are accompanied by a loss of sensitivity of the fingers and the shoulder girdle.
- Intervertebral hernia.Destruction of the cartilage capsule of the intervertebral nucleus has more pronounced clinical manifestations. There are paresis and paralysis of the upper limbs. A growing herniated disc is often made more difficult by mild to moderate neuropathic pain. The peculiarity of such pain is the lack of effect against the background of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Myositis.Inflammatory process of skeletal muscles due to infection or trauma. The most severe form of the disease is ossification of the subscapularis muscle (ossification of muscle tissue).
- Angina pectoris- a pathological condition accompanied by insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle. Angina pectoris is characterized by back pain under the left shoulder blade, acute cramp-like pain behind the sternum. Extreme stress, smoking, alcohol abuse provoke an attack.
diagnosis
Western medicine uses hardware diagnostics to rule out problems with the musculoskeletal system. To make a definitive diagnosis, the patient must undergo:
- X-ray examination of the cervical and thoracic spine.
- Ultrasound for bursitis shows excess fluid in the synovial joint capsule.
- Computed Tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
If myositis is suspected, a detailed blood test is required to confirm the inflammatory process.
If a heart disease is suspected, allopaths carry out the following examination methods:
- Electrocardiogram.
- A blood test that will determine the factors causing myocyte necrosis.
- Ultrasound of the heart.
Treatment and prevention of diseases
Therapies and dosages differ depending on the form and severity of the disease.
- The pathology of the musculoskeletal system requires the appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for pain relief), muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes. In difficult clinical cases, Western doctors recommend getting rid of the pain syndrome using hormonal means. Minimally invasive shoulder surgery is often used to treat bursitis.
- Myositis is treated with warming gels and ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy is recommended in remission. In severe pain, allopaths make novocaine blockages.
- Angina attacks are stopped by nitrate-like compounds. According to medical protocols, patients must be injected with blood-thinning drugs to prevent blood clots. With high blood pressure, patients take antihypertensive tablets. To normalize the rhythm, doctors prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs. They also recommend taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, metabolic therapy.