Pain in the left shoulder blade

Pain in the left shoulder blade is often, but not always, a consequence of a disease such as osteochondrosis, as many believe. Even an experienced doctor often does not succeed in establishing an accurate diagnosis using available tests and the patient's testimony on the first try.

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Diseases that cause pain in the left shoulder blade

Pain in the left shoulder blade can occur due to the following diseases:

• gastric ulcer. The main symptom of this disease is pain that occurs during meals, the use of anticholinergics or heat. It can occur periodically, increase, and then subside, decrease or disappear completely after vomiting. The pain is most often concentrated in the epigastrium with irradiation to the left shoulder blade, left nipple, thoracic spine, behind the sternum. Analyzing the volume, frequency and time of meals, one can state hunger, early and late pains, giving a clear picture of the localization of the ulcer;
• problems of a psychological nature, when the patient complains of difficulty breathing, heat in the chest, tingling in the heart area, etc. Sudden, dull, sharp painful sensations often radiate to the left shoulder blade, neck, left arm and spread to the abdomen. The heart seems to be shackled, it is difficult for the patient to take a breath;
• angina, which can result in myocardial infarction. Angina is another insidious disease, accompanied by pain in the left shoulder blade, back, left side of the neck, lower jaw, left arm, chest pain. Taking vasodilators in this case does not give a positive result. Pain often occurs after physical or strong psychological stress;
• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. The disease is characterized by aching, dull pain concentrated in the lower part of the back of the head, forcing the patient to wake up in the morning. The pain intensifies with a sharp turn or bending of the neck, prolonged pressure on the cervical spine (this is observed, for example, when the head is raised high up for some time). The spread of pain is fixed in the left or right shoulder blade, left or right arm. Dizziness is often present;
• intercostal neuralgia, accompanied by encircling (one-sided) constant or periodic pain in the intercostal spaces, which intensifies during walking, sneezing, coughing, pressing on the sore spot, various movements of the body, etc. Tensed muscles in this disease provoke pain in the left shoulder blade, heart, back, lower back, right shoulder blade;
• ulcer perforation (the ulcer extends beyond the stomach). In this situation, the pain spreads to the left or right shoulder blade, the area above the collarbones. Vomiting or gagging is present. The patient is in a cold sweat, pale, with a frightened expression. Lying on the back or lying on the right side with the knees pulled up to the stomach somewhat alleviates the pain. With each movement of the body, the pain in the abdomen increases.

Diagnosis of pain in the left shoulder blade

Diagnosis of pain in the left shoulder blade is carried out using ultrasound, X-ray, computer and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient is also prescribed general tests - urine and blood. If necessary, additional examinations are carried out.

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What to do if you have pain in your left shoulder blade?

To establish the true cause of pain in the left shoulder blade, you should never resort to self-medication, on the contrary, you need to contact a medical institution as soon as possible. You need to undergo an examination by the following doctors: a cardiologist (for possible heart diseases), a neurologist, a psychiatrist (for nervous system disorders), a gastroenterologist (to check the digestive system), a traumatologist, a vertebrologist (if there is osteochondrosis, radiculitis, etc.).