Pain under the left shoulder blade in the posterior part of the back is a symptom that occurs in the elderly and young people. Muscle tension after physical exercise or chronic stress can cause discomfort. The concentration of pain from the back from the back indicates not only a disease of the musculoskeletal system: problems with the chest organs and abdominal cavity are possible. If the discomfort under the scapula on the left side increases, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Anatomical features
The scapula is in close contact with the clavicle, forming the clavicle-scapular joint. On some sides, costume arches and vertebral axes are attached to the shoulder blades. The bone formations listed hold the shape of the chest and back.
The lungs and heart are at the level of the thoracic segment of the spine. Problems with these organs can cause pain. Also, discomfort occurs due to pinching of the nerve root of the spinal cord, which is located in the spinal canal (next to the shoulder blade).
Causes of discomfort in the scapular area
There are 5 main groups of causes of pain that occur:
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: variants of intercostal neuralgia, arthritis of the shoulder joint, neoplasms. Degenerative -dystrophic changes in the vertebral axis - osteochondrosis, hernia, protrusion, myositis - can also be provoking factors.
- Cardiovascular diseases: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, infections of the lining of the heart (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis).
- Pathology of the bronchopulmonary system: bronchitis, pneumonia or pleura, tuberculosis.
- Gastrointestinal problems: chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, spleen injury.
- Damage to the scapula of various origins: trauma, inflammation, tuberculosis.
How to relieve pain in the left side of the back under the scapula
If the diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor (osteochondrosis or chronic pancreatitis), it is necessary to comply with the recommendations given previously.
Musculoskeletal disorders in the acute stage require the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Caution should be taken when using the warming ointment: apply the drug tightly to the scapular area, without affecting the projection of the heart. Otherwise, you can cause a rapid heart attack and rhythm disturbances.
In chronic pancreatitis or peptic ulcer disease, a special diet is required, taking enzymes or anti-ulcer drugs according to the scheme.
Any discomfort forces you to reduce physical activity: the patient is shown rest. For sleep, it is recommended to choose orthopedic pillows and mattresses.
Important! If the pain under the left shoulder blade persists with changes in body position and does not subside at rest, you should see a doctor immediately to prevent acute myocardial infarction.
Possible disease
List of diseases accompanied by pain symptoms:
- Bursitis- inflammation of the periarticular shoulder bag. Due to injury or excessive load, soft tissues swell, pressure occurs on nearby muscles, ligaments, tendons. The unpleasant sensation when raising the hand gradually turns into an acute pain syndrome, which manifests itself even in dreams. Bacterial bursitis (septic) is the result of an infection of the mucous membranes. It is characterized by an increase in temperature, redness of the shoulder skin, severe pain.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic region.Degenerative changes in the structure of the intervertebral disc provoke muscle spasms, pinching of nerve roots, vascular bonding. The clinical picture begins with a tingling sensation in the chest or back. The increasing discomfort is accompanied by loss of sensitivity in the fingers and shoulder girdle.
- Intervertebral hernia.Destruction of the intervertebral nucleus cartilage capsule has a more pronounced clinical manifestation. There is paresis and paralysis of the upper limbs. Growing herniated discs are often complicated by mild to moderate neuropathic pain. The peculiarity of such pain is the lack of effect on the intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Myositis.The inflammatory process of skeletal muscle that arises as a result of infection or trauma. The most severe form of the disease is subscapularis muscle ossification (ossification of muscle tissue).
- Angina pectoris- pathological conditions accompanied by a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. Angina pectoris is characterized by back pain below the left shoulder blade, acute spasmodic pain in the back of the sternum. Severe stress, smoking, alcohol abuse provoke attacks.
Diagnostics
Western medicine uses hardware diagnostic aids to rule out problems of the musculoskeletal system. To make a final diagnosis, the patient must undergo:
- Radiography of the cervical and thoracic spine.
- Ultrasound for bursitis shows excess fluid in the synovial joint capsule.
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
If the patient is suspected of myositis, detailed blood tests are needed to confirm the inflammatory process.
If cardiac pathology is suspected, allopaths perform the following methods of examination:
- Electrocardiogram.
- Blood tests that determine myocyte necrosis factor.
- Cardiac ultrasound.
Disease treatment and prevention
Therapies and doses vary depending on the form of the disease and its severity.
- Pathology of the musculoskeletal system requires the appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (to relieve pain), muscle relaxation, vitamin complexes. In difficult clinical cases, Western doctors recommend eliminating the pain syndrome with hormonal agents. 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 a state of remission. With severe pain, allopaths make novocaine blockade.
- Angina attacks are stopped by compounds such as nitrates. According to medical protocols, patients need injections of blood -thinning medications to prevent blood clots. With high blood pressure, patients take antihypertensive pills. To normalize the rhythm, doctors prescribe antiarrhythmics. They also recommend taking cholesterol -lowering drugs, metabolic therapy.