Pain below the left shoulder blade from the back is a common symptom in both the elderly and the young. Muscle strain after exertion or chronic stooping can be uncomfortable. Pain concentrated from the back from the back does not indicate diseases of the musculoskeletal system: there may be problems with organs in the chest and abdominal cavity. If discomfort under the left fibula increases, a specialist is needed.
Anatomical features
The clavicle is closely connected with the clavicle, forming the clavicle-clavicle joint. On some sides, the lateral arches and vertebral shafts are attached to the shoulder blades. The bone shapes listed hold the shape of the chest and back.
The lungs and heart are level with the thoracic segment of the spine. Problems with these organs can cause pain. In addition, discomfort occurs due to compression of the nerve roots of the spinal cord, located in the spinal canal (next to the shoulder blades).
Causes of discomfort in the scapula area
There are 5 main groups of causes of pain:
- Musculoskeletal system diseases: variants of intercostal neuralgia, shoulder arthritis, arthralgia. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the vertebral axis - osteonecrosis, hernia, protrusion, myositis - can also become a trigger.
- Cardiovascular diseases: angina attacks, myocardial infarction, infections of the heart layers (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis).
- Pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system: bronchitis, pneumonia or pleurisy, tuberculosis.
- Gastrointestinal problems: chronic pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, spleen damage.
- Damage to the scapula has many different origins: trauma, inflammation, tuberculosis.
How to get rid of pain in the left side of the back below the shoulder blades
If the diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor (osteonecrosis or chronic pancreatitis), it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations made previously.
Musculoskeletal disorders in the acute stage require the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Care should be taken when using warm ointments: apply the drug tightly to the scaly area, without affecting the projection of the heart. Otherwise, you can cause heart palpitations and arrhythmias.
In chronic pancreatitis or peptic ulcer, a special diet, taking enzymes or anticoagulants according to the scheme is required.
Any discomfort that forces you to reduce physical activity: the patient is assigned to rest. For sleep, it is recommended to choose an orthopedic pillow and mattress.
Important! If pain below the left shoulder blade persists with changes in body position and does not subside with rest, you should urgently see a doctor to rule out an acute myocardial infarction.
Possible diseases
List of diseases accompanied by painful symptoms:
- Bursitis- shoulder peristalsis pouchitis. Due to injury or excessive load, soft tissues swell, putting pressure on nearby muscles, ligaments, tendons. The unpleasant sensations when raising the hand gradually turn into acute pain syndrome, which manifests itself even in dreams. Bacterial bursitis (infection) is the result of an infection of the mucous membranes. Manifestations are increased temperature, red swollen shoulder skin, severe pain.
- Bone tumor in the thoracic region.Degenerative changes in the structure of the disc cause muscle spasms, nerve root compression, and vascular bundles. The clinical picture begins with a slight tingling sensation in the chest or back. Increasing discomfort accompanied by loss of sensitivity in the fingers and shoulders.
- Disc herniation.The destruction of the cartilage sheath of the disc nucleus has more pronounced clinical manifestations. There is paralysis and paralysis of the upper extremities. Growing herniated discs are often complicated by mild to moderate neuropathic pain. The peculiarity of such pains is that there is no effect against the background of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Myositis.Inflammatory processes of skeletal muscle arise as a result of infection or trauma. The most severe form of the disease is the breakdown of submuscular muscles (liquefaction of muscle tissue).
- Chest pain- a medical condition accompanied by a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. Angina pectoris is manifested as back pain below the left shoulder blade, acute spasm behind the sternum. Severe stress, smoking, alcohol abuse trigger an attack.
Diagnose
Western medicine turns to the help of hardware diagnostics to rule out problems of the musculoskeletal system. To make a final diagnosis, the patient must undergo:
- X-ray of the cervical spine and chest.
- Ultrasound of bursitis shows excess fluid in the synovial fluid.
- Computerized tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
If myositis is suspected, detailed blood tests are needed to confirm the inflammatory process.
If heart disease is suspected, allopaths perform the following tests:
- ECG.
- Blood tests identify factors that cause muscle cell necrosis.
- Echocardiography.
Treatment and prevention of disease
Therapy and dosage vary depending on the form of the disease and its severity.
- Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system require the appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for pain relief), muscle relaxants, vitamin complexes. In difficult clinical cases, Western doctors recommend eliminating the pain syndrome with hormonal agents. Minimally invasive shoulder surgery is commonly used to treat bursitis.
- Myositis is treated with warming gels and ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy is recommended for remission. In severe pain, allopaths cause novocaine to block.
- Angina attacks are prevented by nitrate-like compounds. According to medical protocols, patients need to be injected with blood thinners to prevent blood clots. With high blood pressure, the patient takes antihypertensive drugs. To normalize the rhythm, doctors prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs. They also recommend cholesterol-lowering medication, metabolic therapy.