Arm Pain

Overview

If your arm hurts, there may be a variety of factors causing this pain. Arm pain is described as pain, discomfort, or stiffness that spreads down the length of the arm, from the shoulders to the fingertips. The majority of the time, an accident or overuse is the main cause of arm pain. A variety of medical conditions, including arthritis, heart problems or excessive fatigue may cause pain in your arm. Arm pain may manifest itself in a variety of ways, depending on the cause of the suffering. They may include the following accompanied symptoms: enlarged lymph nodes, stiffness, swelling and redness.

Causes

Some of the main causes of arm pain are discussed below:

• Heart Problems: Your left arm pain and numbness may be the result of a cardiac problem, which would explain your discomfort. Angina may be caused by a decrease in blood flow to the heart, which can produce discomfort in the arm and shoulder. A decrease in blood flow to the heart causes angina. As a result of the blockage produced by the heart attack, angina may cause discomfort in one or both limbs.
• Broken Bone: You may have broken bone if it begins to hurt shortly after sustaining a physical injury. Edema, bruising, numbness, and paralysis may also occur.
• Strain/sprain: As a result of acollision’s force, an injury may cause damage to your muscles (a strain) or ligaments (a sprain). It causes pain, edema, bruising, weakness, and muscular spasms.
• Tendinitis: Thisoccurs when the tendons in the shoulder or arm become inflamed, as occurs in the tennis elbow. These are bands of connective tissue that connect muscles and bones.You may have discomfort in your shoulder, elbow, or wrist as a consequence of an accident or, more often, overuse.
• Cuff injury: The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint. It allows you to move or stabilize your shoulder. With aging, the rotator cuff tendons wear down or tear, causing shoulder pain. The symptoms may vary from mild discomfort and arm weakness to severe, persistent arm or leg pain. Pain in the posterior arm may occur as a result of injury.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: This occurs when you repeatedly move your wrist in the same way, causing damage to the main nerve in your hand. Numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain are all possible in the affected area.

Other conditions causing the arm pain are:

• Pinched nerves occur when the bones or tissues compress one or more nerves, causing them to become pinched. symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness and weakness.
• Herniated disks are little cushions present in the spine that serve as a cushion between the spine’s rigid bones. They provide you the capacity to bend or flex your back. Extreme pain is the symptom of a ruptured cervical disk.
• Various autoimmune diseases, including Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus may cause significant pain in the neck, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands.
• Covid arm pain may result as a side effect of the vaccine.

Symptoms

Arm pain can range from minor to severe and take many forms, such as shooting, stabbing, or dull aches. It might appear suddenly or gradually and may be accompanied by other arm pain symptoms depending on the underlying illness.

Arm pain can cause the following symptoms: 

• • Redness or bruising
  • Pins and needles
  • Feeling of numbness
  • Deficiency
  • Tenseness
  • Inflammation
  • Sensitivity
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Swollen lymph nodes behind the arm

Diagnosis

Arm pain symptoms can be of various illnesses, it is critical to obtain an appropriate diagnosis if your pain is chronic or causes discomfort.

Your doctor will ask extensive questions about your symptoms and activities and do a physical exam to diagnose a condition that causes arm pain. If necessary, your doctor will request imaging tests such as the following:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging  
• Ultrasound 
• Nerve Conduction Study 
• Electromyography

Treatment

Many types of arm discomfort can be effectively resolved with self-care and over-the-counter remedies.Avoid repetitive motions and take regular breaks from activities that stress the area if you experience arm discomfort caused by overexertion or a compressed nerve.

If your arm pain is caused by overuse or overexertion, it is recommended that you employ the RICE approach, which stands for: 

• Rest. Take a break from your usual routine.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas to the aching spot thrice daily for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Compression: To minimize swelling, apply a compression bandage.

Elevation: Elevate your arm above your heart to decrease swelling.

When To See A Doctor

If you have sudden, severe arm pain, or chest discomfort accompanied by pressure, fullness, or squeezing in your chest, seek medical care as soon as you possibly can. This may signal a heart attack. You should see a doctor if there is a visible deformity or protruding bone in your arm or wrist. It is crucial to consult a physician in case the arm pain does not improve with the treatment and there is consistent numbness, redness and swelling.

Disclaimer

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about arm pain or any other medical condition, please see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment suggestions.