Pain under the scapula on the left behind: possible causes

The pain under the scapula on the left behind is quite common. Unpleasant sensations can be caused by staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time or an unsuccessful sudden movement that caused muscle strain. However, long and recurring pains are a very bad sign.

In fact, such pain can be caused by various serious illnesses. Therefore, if such symptoms occur, you should immediately contact the doctor and take a survey.

It is not necessarily that the source of pain is always near the place of its manifestation. The human nervous system is arranged so that the impulses emitted by the diseased organ can move away from it and manifest in a completely different place. Therefore, pain under the scapula can be caused by diseases of the spine, gastrointestinal and cardiac pathologies. At the same time, the pain under the scapula on the left behind refers to professional pain. For example, drivers and seamstresses. In this case, the pain is caused by a constant strain on the muscles of the cervical region.

Quite often there is pain under the scapula when moving, but immediately passes in a state of rest. In some cases, there are pain in the heart. The causes of such symptoms are found in the pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Diagnostics

Since the pain under the scapula can indicate different diseases and pathologies, further examination of the body is carried out on the basis of the diagnosis delivered by the doctor.

• If cardiovascular disease is suspected, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an ultrasound examination of the heart should be done.
• For examination of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound of these organs is performed.
• If you have problems with the musculoskeletal system, you need an X-ray and, quite possibly, an MRI.
• In lung disease, they should be examined with X-rays.

The above survey methods are primary and general, which provide information on the general condition of the body and disease centers. If any abnormalities and pathologies are found, a very thorough examination of a person is necessary, taking into account all its physiological characteristics.

Diseases of the scapula

Blades, like any other part of the human body, can be prone to specific diseases. Therefore, in some cases, unpleasant sensations in the back area arise precisely due to such diseases.

• Injuries of scapulae. Severe bruises and shocks to the scapula can lead to injuries. With unsuccessful falls, there is a possibility of fracture or cleavage of the scapula, which leads to very unpleasant consequences. In the case of bone damage, there are very strong painful sensations, which are intensified when moving. In case of suspected serious injury, first of all, it is necessary to undergo an examination on the X-ray.
• Osteomyelitis scapula. This disease develops against the background of open penetrating wounds. Suppuration may occur.
• Tuberculosis of scapula. Very rare disease, but nevertheless it sometimes develops.
• A crunch in the shoulder blade. It is caused by inflammation of the scrap bag. Characteristic feelings of discomfort and not very severe pain. With active movements of the shoulder joints, a characteristic crunch appears.
• Swelling of the scapula. It can be caused by various diseases. In such cases, a comprehensive examination of the body and removal of the tumor is necessary.
• Pinched nerve. Most often occurs in sportsmen gymnasts, but it can occur in any person. Usually associated with injuries, bruises and sprains.

Despite the existence of a number of completely innocuous reasons, if there is acute pain under the scapula, the best decision will be to undergo a test - because in some cases such pain is a signal of the need for emergency medical care.

Types of pain under the scapula

Such pain, depending on the cause that caused it, can be:

• Sharp.
• Stitching.
• Constant.
• Periodic.
• Tolerant.
• Very strong.

Based on complaints from patients, the main types of pain can be identified:

• Constant pain that does not leave the body even in a state of rest. Periodically it can grow, accompanied by a burning sensation.
• Cutting pain under the scapula, periodically turning into the area between the scapulae.
• Pain in the heart. When there are problems with the heart, the symptoms can manifest through pain under the scapula.
• Constant pain, which passes at rest, but intensifies from coughing or deep inspiration.
• A sharp pain in the left side, passes after vomiting.
• The sensation of pain appears at a certain position of the body. For example, it occurs if you stretch your arms up.
• The pain is directed downwards, from the scapula to the waist. There is a drawing sensation.
• Pain under the shoulder blade when moving.

Pain as a symptom of diseases of the spine

In most cases, pain under the scapula is caused by various diseases and pathologies of the spine. For example, osteochondrosis or scoliosis.

• Various pathologies of the cervical spine can cause pain under the shoulder blade, the treatment of which can be quite long. Constant pain under the scapula is caused by such diseases of the spinal column as osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, spondylosis and others. Such pain can also periodically disappear and appear as sharp lumbago.
• Intercostal neuralgia can also cause pain. When this disease occurs, pain spreads over the entire rib area, and it becomes difficult to turn the body.
• The left-sided shoulder-dorsal periarthritis also causes pain under the left scapula.
• Spade-rib syndrome causes pain under the scapula, accompanied by soreness in the cervical spine.
• Various oncological diseases. In some cases, the tumor can be located in the scapula itself and cause very unpleasant sensations. In the case of cancer in the spine or the spinal cord, painful sensations will still reach the scapula.

Sharp pain under the scapula

Characterized by sharp, stabbing flashes of pain. It can be shown periodically; The receding pain returns with renewed force as a result of movements and deep breaths. Sharp pain under the scapula often indicates a critical condition of the body and the need for prompt medical intervention.

Can occur with the following diseases:

• Myocardial infarction. Usually, stitching pains appearing before the attack and persisting during it, are increasing. Gradually increasing, they give to the back of the head, jaw, teeth, left arm. But in some cases, there may be a sharp bout of pain that appears under the shoulder blade. However, not always the pain under the left scapula means problems with the heart. Symptoms may indicate other causes.
• Pleurisy. Severe pain can occur at the initial stage of this disease. The pain usually centers around the place of fluid accumulation, that is, under the left or right scapula.
• Aneurysm. Also causes severe sharp pain under the left scapula. Painful sensations can be in the shoulder region.
• Pancreatitis. Attacks of this disease are accompanied by severe pain in the region of the left scapula.

Single, not repeated seizures, can be caused by unsuccessful movement, or trauma. However, if severe pain under the scapula is systematic and painful sensations do not pass - you need to urgently go to the hospital.

Drawing pain under the shoulder blades

This type of pain usually appears with the development of various vertebral diseases and is caused by jamming the nerve endings (for example, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine).

Scapular-rib syndrome also causes a drawing sensation of pain. This disease is fairly easy to recognize, since movement always produces a characteristic crunch. Also, with this syndrome, the pain irradiates into the cervical region.

The peculiar nature of the pain is explained by the fact that, firstly, the pathologies of the spine lead to a decrease in intervertebral distances, and secondly, they pass quite slowly, so the pain is very rarely sharp and strong.

Pain under the left scapula, treatment and diagnostic methods

When there is systematic pain in all its manifestations, it is necessary to undergo diagnostics. Even if the pain is extremely rare, severe pain under the scapula may indicate the onset of a serious illness. For example, when there is pain in the heart, the causes lie in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, but pain under the scapula can also point to them.

First of all, you should consult a doctor for an examination. Depending on the type of pain, its manifestations and additional symptoms, an appropriate examination will be given.

• In the event of suspicion of cardiovascular disease, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other heart examinations may be prescribed.
• In diseases of the musculoskeletal system, x-rays are prescribed. It is also possible for the passage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• With pathologies of the digestive system, ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract will be prescribed.

In those cases when the initial examination does not reveal the causes of the pain or is suspected of complications, an additional collection of tests and a complete examination of the body are carried out .

Anyway, the earlier a person goes through the examination, the better for his health. Because timely diagnosis of any disease will help prevent the development of the disease and additional complications.

Treatment

The choice of method of treatment directly depends on the results of the examination and the diagnosis. It is very important to remember that self-medication or taking painkillers without consulting a doctor can greatly aggravate the situation of the patient.

Usually, the treatment is medicated. Patients are also given certain diets, restrictions on physical activity and a special regime of the day.

However, in some cases, surgery may be required. For example, when a malignant tumor develops in the scapula area, this becomes the only acceptable treatment option. That once again confirms the need for early treatment in a medical institution when there are painful manifestations.

Gastric ulcer and pancreatitis

One of the most common causes of the appearance of pain behind the left scapula is a stomach ulcer. The manifestations of pain in the ulcer affect a lot of factors:

• Seasonality.
• Eating. Pain may appear immediately after eating or in the absence of it (muscle pain).
• Vomiting. Vomiting attacks relieve pain, or they are completely removed.
• Kind of food. An attack of pain can be triggered by the ingestion of a certain type of food.

When a person's stomach strikes an ulcer, the pain under the left scapula on the left behind can take quite a variety of forms.

Pain can intensify at night and be accompanied by burning. Most often it is pulling and dull. Such signs are manifested in patients with high gastric ulcers.

When these symptoms appear, an early examination of the gastrointestinal organs and dieting are necessary. It is necessary to drink plenty of water and increase the number of meals a day (but not the amount of food consumed, we mean the transition to a 5-time meal) - thus, there will always be something in the stomach, thereby damage to the walls of the stomach, Will be minimal.

For ulcers, the most typical attacks of pain that occur on an empty stomach. Also, pain can trigger the reception of various stimuli. Therefore it is highly recommended to make a list of consumed products.

Most people with stomach ulcers experience vomiting. And they are caused by the growth of pain, and not nausea. As a rule, after a person has vomited, the pain either passes or significantly decreases.

With a stomach ulcer, there may be manifestations of sharp, stitching pain. This can be caused by perforation of the ulcer. In fact, perforation means the appearance of a hole in the wall of the stomach at the site of the wound caused by the ulcer. This is fraught with the ingestion of stomach contents into the abdominal cavity and the development of peritonitis.

In the case of an attack of pancreatitis, the pain is usually shrouded in nature. It is also accompanied by vomiting, nausea and dizziness.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

When attacks of cardiovascular diseases are characterized by the emergence of acute pain under the left scapula. It can occur when:

• Myocardial infarction.
• Attacks of angina pectoris.
• Myocarditis.
• The dissecting aortic aneurysm.

Usually, when an infarct occurs, the pain under the scapula on the left behind is not the only sign that indicates an attack. It is accompanied by pains in the sternum, left arm, jaw, occiput. However, with a "posterior infarction", such pain can be the only manifestation of a heart attack. The most important difference between infarction and other cardiovascular diseases is the inability to relieve pain with nitroglycerin. For example, with paroxysm of angina pectoris, the intake of nitroglycerin perfectly helps.

Thus, the pain under the scapula on the left behind can have a lot of reasons. Starting from quite innocuous - for example, bruises, and ending with quite serious diseases. Therefore, one should never underestimate such pains, especially if their occurrence is systematic. A preventive examination in any case will not take very long. Moreover, having completed the examination, it is possible to prevent the development of serious illnesses and their complications.