Arm Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Arm Pain Relief

Arm pain relief strategies can vary depending on the cause:

• Rest and Ice: For muscle strain or minor injuries, rest and applying ice can reduce pain and swelling.
• Over-the-Counter Medications: Pain relievers like ibuprofen can help alleviate discomfort.
• Physical Therapy: For chronic or severe pain, physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the arm and improve mobility.
• Heat Therapy: Applying heat can help relax tense muscles and alleviate pain.

Arm Pain Symptoms

Recognizing arm pain symptoms can help identify the cause:

• Aching or sharp pain
• Tenderness
• Swelling or bruising
• Weakness or numbness

Arm Pain Causes

Arm pain occurs most often after an injury or fall, but it can also have other causes. The pain could be coming from the arm itself, or it could indicate a problem somewhere other than the arm.

If the pain is coming from the arm itself, it may be resulting from simple muscle or tendon fatigue, overexertion, or repeated and prolonged use of the arms (for example, at work or when exercising). It could also be due to tendonitis, bruising from an impact injury, a sprain, or a fracture.

Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves occur when a nerve is under too much pressure from the environment:

• Bones
• Muscle
• Cartilage
• Tendons
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Sharp pain
• Muscle weakness

Sprains

Sprains are stretches or tears of the ligaments or tendons. They are common injuries. You can take care of a minor sprain at home, but more serious strains may require surgery. Common signs may include swelling, bruising, constrained joint mobility, and an unstable joint.

Broken Bones

Broken or fractured bones can cause severe, sharp pain in the arm. You may hear an audible click when the bone breaks. Signs include:

• Swelling
• Bruises
• Severe pain
• A visible deformity
• Inability to turn the palm of the hand

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder caused by inflammation that mainly affects the joints. Common symptoms include:

• Hot and tender joints
• Swelling of the joints
• Stiff joints
• Fatigue

Angina

Angina is chest pain that occurs when the heart does not get sufficient oxygen. It can cause pain in the arm and shoulder, and pressure on the chest, neck, and back. Sometimes angina often shows an underlying heart problem. Other symptoms can include:

• Chest Pain
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Heart Attack

Heart attacks occur when blood cannot reach the heart due to a blockage that cuts off the oxygen supply to the heart. This can cause sections of the heart muscle to die if oxygen does not return quickly.

Conditions that can cause Arm pain

Several conditions can lead to arm pain, including:

• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often because of overuse or repetitive movement.
• Rotator Cuff Injury: Damage to the muscles or tendons in the shoulder that enable the arm to move.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The median nerve is compressed in the wrist leading to pain, numbness and tingling.
• Osteoarthritis: Degenerative joint disease of the elbow, shoulder or wrist, resulting in pain and stiffness.
• Cervical Disk Herniation: A herniated disk in the neck that compresses a nerve and results in pain in the arm.
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: When nerves or blood vessels that sit between the collarbone and rib get compressed, leading to arm pain and numbness.

When to Visit an Arm Pain Doctor?

Most of the time, arm pain is not a sign of a medical emergency and is treatable with the help of home remedies. However, you must get emergency medical attention sometimes. If you suspect that a heart attack or other heart condition is causing your arm pain.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Pain in the back, neck, or upper body
• Dizziness
• Daze
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden injury
• Severe pain and swelling
• Difficulty moving or rotating your arm
• Arm pain that does not improve after home care
• Increasing redness, swelling, or pain in the injured area
• Sudden injury to your arm, especially if you hear a clicking or cracking noise
• Difficulty moving the arm normally or turning it from palm up to palm down and vice versa.

Sometimes, if your arm, shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain results from severe trauma or comes on suddenly. If you have trouble moving your arm or see protruding bones, see your doctor right away, if you suspect your arm pain is because of a fracture.

Diagnosis of Arm Pain

The doctor will first need to diagnose the underlying cause of the pain to treat it. They will first take a history and physical exam, asking about your activity, injuries, and symptoms.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of areas of your body.
• An ultrasound test makes use of sound waves to produce images of structures of your body and may be useful in diagnosing compression syndromes, including carpal tunnel syndrome.
• The nerve conduction study procedure measures nerve impulses when a small amount of electrical current is applied to detect damaged nerves.
• The electromyography (EMG) test involves inserting a needle electrode into the muscles to measure their electrical activity, which can help detect damage to the nerves that lead to the muscles.
• Blood tests can assist your physician in discovering some conditions that may cause arm pain, including diabetes, or certain conditions that cause inflammation of the joints.
• If your doctor thinks the arm pain is associated with heart complications, you may order tests to assess how your heart is working and to assess blood flow through your heart.

Arm Pain Treatment

Arm pain treatments will vary based on the cause and severity. Self-care and over-the-counter treatments are sufficient to resolve pain effectively. If you have arm pain due to overexertion or a pinched nerve, avoid repetitive movements and take frequent breaks from activities that stress the area.

• Analgesic: In some cases, the pain in your arm may be severe enough that your doctor will prescribe pain relievers.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: For pain because of inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids can help reduce the underlying cause and subsequent pain. Anti-inflammatory medications are available as oral medications, injections, and intravenous medications.
• Physical therapy: You might also want to deal with a few arm aches with physical therapy, especially if you have a restricted range of motion.
• Surgery: In extreme cases of arm pain, surgical treatment can be necessary. Examples consist of torn ligaments and broken bones.

Prevention of Arm Pain

Here are some easy tips to prevent arm pain:

• Maintain good posture: Keeping a proper posture when sitting or standing can help reduce strain on your arms.
• Do Stretches Regularly: Do gentle stretching exercises for your arms, shoulders and wrists to prevent them from getting stiff or tensed.
• Repetitive Motions: If you do a great deal of typing or are lifting things throughout the day, remember to take breaks and give your arms some rest.
• Use ergonomic tools: Make sure to adjust your working space (table, chair) so that it allows for good positioning of the arm and hand.
• Strengthen muscles: Working your arm, shoulder and back muscle help provide better support and decrease risk of overuse injuries.
• Avoid Overexertion: Don't push your arms beyond their limits during physical activities to prevent strains or injuries.

Home Remedies for Arm Pain

If you have a pinched nerve or repetitive stress injury, be consistent with therapy, maintain good posture, and take frequent breaks from work and during repetitive activities, such as playing an instrument or practicing your golf swing.

• Take a break from your normal activities by resting.
• Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas on the painful area for 15-20 minutes, three times a day.
• Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
• Raise your arm above heart level to help reduce swelling.
• Wrapping the area where you're experiencing pain with an elastic bandage or brace can help reduce swelling and prevent you from extending a joint too far, encouraging healing.

Complications or Risks of Not Treating Arm Pain

• Worsening of the Condition: Untreated arm pain from issues like tendinitis, fractures, or nerve compression can worsen over time.
• Loss of Mobility: Prolonged pain may lead to stiffness or limited range of motion in the arm or shoulder.
• Nerve Damage: If caused by nerve-related conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical radiculopathy, untreated pain can result in permanent nerve damage.
• Chronic Pain: Acute arm pain can turn into chronic pain, making it harder to treat later.
• Weakened Muscles: Lack of use due to pain may lead to muscle atrophy and weakness.
• Increased Risk of Injury: Neglecting arm pain might worsen underlying issues, leading to further injuries.
• Impact on Daily Life: Persistent pain can interfere with daily activities, work, and overall quality of life.
• Mental Health Issues: Long-term pain can lead to anxiety, stress, or depression.