Your arms help you do the most, from house chores to manual labor like lawn mowing. Pain or discomfort in your arm can make you less productive and affect your overall quality of life. Arm pain can include pain in your shoulder, elbow, and wrist; it can be due to numerous causes, but the most common ones are overuse and injury. Depending on the cause, Peachtree City arm pain may start suddenly or slowly and increase gradually. Below are some of the possible causes of arm pain.
Cervical herniated disc
The intervertebral spinal discs along the cervical region of your spine stabilize your neck and allow it to move sideways and back and bend forward to back. Over time, the outer membrane of these discs (annulus) wears out and develops a weak spot. The soft inner disc content (nucleus) pushes through the weak spot or tear and may press on nerve roots, causing pain. A herniated cervical disc can cause different types of pain, from an ache in the neck and arm to electric-like pain radiating to these areas. The affected arm and hand may also feel numb or weak. However, sometimes a cervical herniated disc causes no symptoms at all.
Broken arm
A fracture in your arm may involve one or more of the bones, including the ulna, radius, and humerus. Falling onto an outstretched arm is a common cause for a broken arm; other causes include significant trauma during a car accident, sports injuries, and child abuse. A snap or cracking sound is the first indication that you have broken an arm. Other symptoms of a broken arm include swelling, pain, bruising, deformity, inability to move your arm, and severe pain that increases with movement. See your doctor immediately if the pain in your arm is severe and disabling.
Angina
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that stems from reduced blood flow to the heart muscles due to the narrowing of the arteries. Although angina is relatively common and not life-threatening, it is a warning sign that you could be at risk of stroke or a heart attack. The chest pain caused by angina usually feels tight, heavy, and dull; it may radiate to your jaw, neck, arms, or back. Stable angina, the most common form of angina, is triggered by physical exertion or stress and goes away with rest or angina medication. Unlike stable angina triggered by physical activity, unstable angina occurs at rest, and the pain worsens even with minimal physical effort. Pain does not improve or go away with rest or the usual angina medications.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is often caused by an overuse or repetitive action involving the forearm muscle near your elbow joint. This condition causes pain outside your elbow, which may radiate to your forearm when gripping small objects, lifting or bending your arm, or twisting your forearm. Most cases of tennis elbow improve independently, but some treatments may alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. Treatment may include resting your injured arm, applying a cold compress, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, physiotherapy, or surgery.
If your arm pain is getting in the way of your daily activities, visit your Alliance Spine & Pain specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
