Cannabis Oil Official website
Share this

Pain under the shoulder blade

pain under the left shoulder blade from the back

Scapular pain is a clinical sign of many pathological conditions, which may include gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurological diseases, as well as osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, bronchopulmonary pathology and others.

The symptom of pain can be different in intensity and location - under the right or left shoulder blade, and sometimes limit a person's motor activity. Pain under the scapula is most often associated with spasms of skeletal muscles due to tension or reflection of pain emitted by internal organs located in the scapular area.

Causes of pain under the shoulder blades

Regio scapularis - this is the name of the scapular area, which is bounded by lines - in the upper body between the unpaired prickly growth of the most prominent VII cervical vertebra and the clavicle, below - medial-vertical line along the lower edge of the scapula, as well as a line from the armpits to the edge of the deltoid muscle. The diagnosis of pain under the shoulder blade depends on the nature of the symptom, its location and the accompanying clinical signs, as the area of the shoulder blade can hurt only in case of injury - blow, bruise.

The causes of pain under the shoulder blades can be as follows:

  • LSRS - scapular-scapular, scapular-skeletal syndrome or muscle syndrome that raises the shoulder blade. If the muscle that attaches to the transverse processes of the upper vertebrae of the neck is hypothermic, injured, inflamed or overstrained, it is unable to perform its function properly - to tilt the neck and lift the shoulder blade. Symptomatic PRS - scapular syndrome manifests itself in the form of painful, sometimes intense pain in the shoulder girdle, in the upper part of the shoulder blade and below it. Often the sensation of pain spreads to the shoulder, the side of the sternum. The most painful point is the point of attachment of the muscle, if you press on it, the pain becomes sharp, radiating to the neck. In addition, a characteristic feature of LS is the sound of crunching when moving the shoulders and arms. Dynamic constant loads, as well as static tension, can create a condition in which the pain under the shoulder blade becomes constant, worsens when exposed to cold, drafts.
  • UPS - gastric ulcer, as the most common cause of radiating pain under the shoulder blades. The symptom begins with dull, aching pain that increases or decreases after taking medication, vomiting. The pain is directly related to food intake, seasonality and most often radiates to the left - from the epigastrium to the left shoulder blade, chest and back. The pain symptom of a stomach ulcer is usually divided into fasting, late or early pain. In addition, PU is usually accompanied by nausea at the peak of pain, vomiting in 75-80% of cases and heartburn.
  • Vegetative or as they are often called psychosomatic pain are also included in the causes of pain under the shoulder blade. Such sensations are similar to signs of angina pectoris, cardiac pain, as they cause a feeling of tightness, burning in the chest, which intensifies and radiates to the arm, under the shoulder blade, under the clavicle, more often on the left, to the heart area. The symptom of pain can be both intense and painful, indeterminate. The main differential sign of autonomic pain is the lack of effect after taking cardio drugs - they do not relieve pain or pressure. As a rule, relaxants and sedatives help with vegetative-vascular attack.
  • Osteochondrosis of the thoracic or cervical spine can cause unilateral dull, prolonged, painful pain that most often begins in the back of the head and spreads down below the shoulder blade. The pain may appear in the early morning hours, may increase with static load (sedentary work), with sudden movements of the body. This condition is accompanied by radiating pain in the arm, under the shoulder blade, paresthesia of the limb, dizziness, visual disturbances. The symptom is removed with warming massages, ointments, hot bath.
  • Intercostal neuralgia is the most common cause of shoulder pain. The symptom develops rapidly and is expressed in paroxysmal, unilateral pain, enveloping intense nature. The sensation of pain spreads to the intercostal muscles, spaces and is intensified by deep breathing, coughing, sneezing, prolonged exercise, walking. In the clinical sense, the intercostal syndrome is manifested by palpation of the innervating area, which is not typical for cardiac pathologies, osteochondrosis. Due to constant muscle tension, the pain may spread lower - to the waist, but most often manifests itself with piercing sensations, burning under the shoulder blade.
  • The attack of angina pectoris begins with pain in the middle of the chest (retrosternal space), which quickly spreads, spreads to the left and gives under the clavicle, in the back, under the left shoulder blade. Pain is not always relieved by taking nitroglycerin, vasodilators that can serve as a signal for myocardial infarction. There is also a distinction between the causes of angina pectoris: Severe, sharp pain in the left side of the chest, below the shoulder blade, is characteristic of angina pectoris when a person is subjected to physical or psycho-emotional stress. Pulling, aching pain may indicate an attack of angina at rest when there are no external, provoking causes of the pain symptom.
  • The causes of pain under the shoulder blade can be associated with a severe, life-threatening condition - perforation of a gastric ulcer, which is accompanied by severe, sharp pain radiating under the clavicle and under one of the shoulder blades. A characteristic sign of perforation is vomiting, the patient's posture is clasped hands, knees to the stomach (fetal position). This symptom requires immediate medical attention as well as cardialgia.
  • Yuert's symptom or a sign of an inflammatory process in the pericardium, accompanied by exudate. The main manifestations of exudative pericarditis are retrosternal pain, shortness of breath, fever and fever. The pain is exacerbated by the accumulation of effusion and stretching of the pericardium when coughing, changes in body posture, sensations can be painful in nature, but most often they "shoot" in the neck, under the left shoulder blade. picture of "sharp belly".
  • Aortic dissection - dissection of the aortic wall (aneurysm). A life-threatening condition accompanied by intense pain in the back, between the shoulder blades or with displacement under one of them. Most often, the pain shifts to the left, radiating to the arm and under the left shoulder blade, spreading along the aortic dissection. The most dangerous consequences of this symptom can be stroke (if the circulation of the carotid arteries is impaired), heart attack (if the circulation of the coronary arteries is impaired), mesenteric thrombosis, paralysis of the legs (if the circulation of the iliac arteries is impaired), spinal cord (if the circulation of the spinal arteries is impaired).
  • Thoracic disc herniation. The disease is rarely diagnosed because the chest area is quite stable in this regard. The constant, painful and increasing pain in the area of the disorder and the pathological focus gradually become intense, often similar to the symptoms of diseases of the broncho-pulmonary or cardiovascular system. The main characteristic feature of a hernia may be muscle tension between the shoulder blades and visible curvature of the spine. The diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray examination, MRI.
  • GSD is cholelithiasis, colic can also manifest as paroxysmal, unbearable pain radiating to the right, below the shoulder blade and above.
  • The causes of pain under the shoulder blade may be due to respiratory diseases - pneumonia or pleurisy. In inflammation of the lungs, the pain is localized in accordance with the pathological focus in the tissue, if the process develops in the posterior areas, there is pain in the back, between the shoulder blades or below them. Inflammation of the pleura is also accompanied by suturing pain between the shoulder blades, often under one of them. The pain is aggravated by a cough reflex, breathing.
  • Myositis is an inflammatory process in the muscles as a result of hypothermia, SARS or overexertion, less often due to bruises. The pain occurs suddenly in an acute course or develops gradually, has a pulling, painful nature in chronic inflammation. The symptom of pain is associated with movement, physical activity, change in posture and inclinations.

Symptoms of pain under the shoulder blades

The symptoms of pain under the shoulder blades are so diverse that in clinical practice there is still no single standard algorithm for differential diagnosis. Each medical specialty has its own schemes for history taking, examination, testing and examinations, but there are often cases where the symptom of pain is "masked" and does not show the real cause. Therefore, the patient is required to describe as accurately as possible the natureof pain, all the circumstances in which it occurs. In addition, the chronic pain to which a person is "accustomed" often blurs the diagnostic picture, as a result of which time is lost and the therapeutic effect is much more difficult to achieve.

What symptoms of pain under the shoulder blade require immediate medical attention?

  • Drawing, constant back pain with radiation under the shoulder blade, which does not subside within 2-3 days.
  • Pain under the shoulder blade under static load (sedentary work) in people over 50 years.
  • Pain radiating under the shoulder blades increases at night or in a horizontal position.
  • Fever pain.
  • Pain accompanied by tingling in the arm, shoulder.
  • Pain causing pressure, burning, starting in the middle of the chest.
  • Pain that is not relieved by heart medications, sedatives.
  • Pain in the waist radiating under the shoulder blade.
  • Acute, severe pain with vomiting.

Symptoms of pain under the shoulder blades are most often described as follows:

  • Acute pain in the middle of the back, extending below the left shoulder blade. The pain starts in the morning and intensifies when moving.
  • Acute, severe pain under the shoulder blades.
  • Dull pain under the shoulder blades, intensifying when raising the arms.
  • Painting, painful pain under the shoulder blade, spreading down to the waist.
  • Pain under the left shoulder blade and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
  • Pain under the shoulder blades in the form of a localized area, burning.
  • The pain worsens when a cough occurs.
  • The pain under the shoulder blade is replaced by a burning sensation, tingling in the hand.
  • Intense pain that disappears after vomiting.

Despite the variety of causes that provoke a symptom of pain under the shoulder blades, there are differential signs - danger signals that allow an experienced doctor to rule out relatively benign diseases associated with dorsalgia. Anxiety symptoms that may accompany shoulder pain are the following signs:

  • Hyperthermia - 38-40 degrees.
  • Spontaneous pain, increasing and provoking a state of "acute abdomen".
  • Shortness of breath, cyanosis of the skin.
  • Swelling of the hands.
  • Pain that does not subside at rest.
  • Vomiting.
  • Decrease in blood pressure. pulse.
  • Fainting.

Back pain under the shoulder blades

Back pain in the shoulder blade area can be associated with many diseases, but most often due to deformity of the spine, especially if it is accompanied by a tingling sensation in the extremities, numbness of the fingers.

In addition, back pain under the shoulder blades is provoked by such diseases, conditions:

  • Curvature of the spine - kyphosis.
  • Disc herniation in the thoracic region.
  • Lateral curvature of the spine - kyphoscoliosis.
  • Coronary artery disease.
  • Shoulder periarthritis.
  • Intercostal neuralgia.
  • Frontal curvature of the spine - scoliosis.
  • Angina - effort or rest.
  • Protrusion (degeneration) of the thoracic disc without rupture.
  • UPS - peptic ulcer of the stomach.
  • cholecystitis.
  • Hepatic colic with concomitant gallbladder dyskinesia.
  • Dry pleurisy.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Inflammation of the interscapular muscles, tendons, supraspinatus ligaments.

Pain under the shoulder blade on the left

The symptom of pain under the left shoulder blade may be associated with such diseases:

  • Periodic pain under the left shoulder blade may signal the development of a stomach ulcer. The pain increases rapidly, accompanied by nausea and then vomiting, the symptom is associated with food intake or its absence - hunger pains. The pain begins in the epigastrium and spreads to the side - right or left, most often radiating under the left breast and under the left shoulder blade.
  • Vegetative crises are also characterized by left-sided pain massaging under cardiopathy. Pain under the left shoulder blade, pulling, pain often causing fear, not stopping with nitroglycerin and other heart medications - this is a typical sign of psychogenic conditions.
  • Myocardial infarction most often has clinically pronounced symptoms - burning in the middle of the chest, pain radiating to the left side of the jaw, to the arm, under the left shoulder blade, tingling in the limbs, nausea.
  • Angina pectoris - attacks of pain can develop under tension, stress (angina pectoris) or as an exacerbation of a chronic form (angina pectoris at rest).
  • Intercostal neuralgia is accompanied by sharp pain, often lumbar, radiating to the right or left below the scapula. The symptom may worsen with a change in body posture, physical activity. The pain is relieved by warming up, relaxing the muscles.
  • Osteochondrosis, both cervical and thoracic, is also one of the causes of pain under the left shoulder blade. The symptom of pain is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, tingling in the hands or one arm.
  • Perforation of the ulcer is an acute condition, which is expressed in very severe pain radiating to the clavicle, under the shoulder blade. In addition to severe pain, the patient is characterized by a posture with knees pressed to the stomach, cold sweat, cyanosis, drop in blood pressure and pulse.

Pain under the shoulder blade on the right

The symptom of pain, which manifests itself under the right shoulder blade, is associated with such diseases:

  • Bile colic with spasm of the bladder, ducts due to stone obstruction. The pain is sharp, cutting, localized below the right rib and radiating to the back under the shoulder blade.
  • Pain under the right shoulder blade can be caused by a diaphragmatic abscess. The symptom is very acute, worsens when inhaled, not even deeply, radiates most often to the right.
  • Acute pyelonephritis begins with pain in the lumbar region, which then spreads higher and is given under the right shoulder blade. The purulent process in the right kidney is accompanied by painful urination, fever.
  • Myofascial syndrome is also the cause of pain under the right shoulder blade. These are chronic muscle pains associated with irritation of certain trigger points.
  • Among the factors that provoke a symptom of pain under the right shoulder blade, sometimes found herpes - shingles. It is a viral disease that is not considered life-threatening, but causes very severe, excruciating pain, burning and tingling sensations. Herpes is typical of a rash, itching, and muscle pain that radiates under the shoulder blade.
  • Osteochondrosis is one of the causes that often provokes radiating pain under the shoulder blades, including the right.
  • Right-sided pneumonia. Pain with inflammation of the lungs most often manifests itself in the acute stage, there may be fever, feverish state.

If the pain gives under the shoulder blade

Any pain symptom that "distributes" is called radiation. The impulse of visceral pain can be so strong that the irritation of the primary nerve branch is rapidly transmitted along the chain to the final branch, ie far from the original source. The pain under the shoulder blade is most often caused by the inflamed organ and can be caused by the following reasons:

  • Increased intestinal pressure with inflammation, ulcerative process. The postbulbar part of the duodenum with ulcer radiates to the right below the scapula.
  • Bile colic (gallbladder, liver).
  • Acute pain gives under the left shoulder blade and during an attack of angina pectoris, when there are sensations of pressure, compression.
  • Pericarditis can also be manifested by pain under the shoulder blades.
  • Aortic dissection (aneurysm) is manifested by severe pain in the chest, radiating to the neck, left side, shoulder, under the shoulder blade.
  • Pneumothorax (spontaneous) - acute chest pain with reflection under the scapula, in the scapular area.
  • Exacerbation of pancreatitis.
  • Renal colic.
  • Acute musculoskeletal dorsalgia.
  • Myocardial infarction.
  • Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

This pain may be transient, but may also signal the development of an acute condition that requires immediate medical attention. If the pain gives under the shoulder blade and is not stopped by antispasmodics, cardiac drugs, you should consult a doctor who will conduct an examination, differential diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.

Pain under the shoulder blades when inhaling

A symptom of pain under the shoulder blade, intensified by inhalation, is a signal characteristic of the following pathologies:

  • Dry pleurisy is an inflammatory process in the pleura, the lining of the lungs. The pain may increase when bending, moving, disappearing in a horizontal position or on the side. The accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity provokes swelling and pain under the shoulder blade when inhaled.
  • Pericarditis is an inflammatory process in the pericardial sac, the disease manifests itself with weakness, retrosternal pain, which becomes more intense when inhaled.
  • Pain under the shoulder blades with deep breathing may indicate intercostal neuralgia, which manifests itself in the form of lumbar pain that seems to tighten the chest.
  • Gallbladder disease, spasm, colic may also be accompanied by a symptom of pain associated with inhalation.
  • Renal colic (pyelonephritis, kidney abscess) may also be accompanied by pain in the hypochondrium, so intense that it spreads to the epigastric region, gives way under the shoulder blade and increases with inspiration.

Severe pain under the shoulder blade

Intense severe pain under the shoulder blade - left or right - is a reason to seek medical help, often such a painful symptom can not be stopped alone, but can also indicate life-threatening conditions. Severe pain under the shoulder blade can be caused by such diseases:

  • Dagger, a sharp, shooting pain that intensifies during inspiration reflected in the shoulder, may be a sign of spontaneous pneumothorax. Additional clinical symptoms of pneumothorax are rapidly developing shortness of breath, tachycardia, drop in blood pressure, slow pulse, increase (compensatory) in the veins of the neck.
  • Severe pain radiating under the shoulder blade and accompanied by hypertension indicates an exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the chest. Simultaneous back pain under the shoulder blade, headache and jump in blood pressure are clear symptoms of pinched nerve endings in the cervical or thoracic region. The pain may increase when turning the body, shoot when bending or moving and is not stopped by heart medications, sedatives.
  • Severe pain under the shoulder blade may be associated with perforation of an upper stomach ulcer. If the perforation progresses rapidly, the pain intensifies literally every minute, the general clinical picture of the ulcer is typical - acute pain with radiation, vomiting, cold sweat, facial cyanosis, characteristic posture - knees pressed to the chest.
  • Hepatic (biliary) colic is also manifested by severe pain radiating to the right, under the shoulder blade, in the neck and even in the right eye. The symptom of pain is associated with obstruction of the bile ducts after eating fried, fatty foods.
  • Purulent process in the area between the diaphragm and the organs located below, subdiaphragmatic abscess is an acute condition that requires immediate medical attention. The developing bacterial infection in this form can provoke general intoxication, sepsis. In fact, it is purulent peritonitis, limited by the diaphragm, manifested by severe pain in the hypochondrium, radiating to the right - the shoulder, under the shoulder blade. Also typical hyperthermia up to 40 degrees, fever, nausea.

Severe symptom of radiating pain is not recommended to last more than an hour, if it can not be stopped by available means, you need to call an ambulance.

Pain behind the shoulder blades

The pain behind the shoulder blades, between them, as a rule, is not intense, so the person does not pay attention to the symptom, considering it temporary, transient. Improper identification of the cause, the factor that provokes such pain, can lead to the development of chronic, difficult to treat diseases.

The constant, persistent pain between the shoulder blades, under them, is most often caused by muscle tension, which in turn is explained by professional specifics - sedentary work in the office, sewing machine, driving a car, etc. Usually back painunder the shoulder blades is not associated with life-threatening pathologies and even dystrophic changes in the spine, as the thoracic region is not mobile, it is quite stable and stable. Most often disorders, changes, less often inflammation relate to the muscular system of the scapula, ligaments and tendons can also be stretched.

Muscle pain of this type is characterized by a feeling of heaviness, tension, which quickly passes with active movements (exercises), massage or warm-up.

The pain that is caused by injury, stretching of the tendons, is felt differently, causes a feeling of pain under the shoulder blades, often the pain symptom is reflected in the heart area. Also, a person complains of tingling in the hands, tingling sensation, "creeping goosebumps". It is not possible to neutralize such pain with heart medications, but you can get rid of it and do it quite simply:

  • Periodically change body position, preferably every half hour. If work is stuck, you need to get up, walk, make circular motions with your arms, shoulders, gather and spread your shoulders.
  • It is recommended to spend 20-30 minutes a day for exercises to stretch the muscles of the scapula and the overall muscle tone of the body. Regular exercise will help prevent muscle spasms and pain behind the shoulder blades.
  • It is necessary to periodically massage the shoulder-scapular area, the collar area.
  • Periodically, you can perform the following exercise: place a small (tennis) ball on the floor, lie on it with your upper back and "roll" the ball, passing it vertically and between the shoulder blades.

If a symptom of back pain under the shoulder blades is accompanied by cough, low-grade fever, pain intensifies on breathing, cough reflex, you should consult a doctor, be examined to rule out diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system.