Index
Many injuries and medical conditions can cause pain in this part of the body, which ranges from mild to severe depending on the underlying abnormality.
Causes
Most causes fall into three main categories:
- Musculoskeletal diseases.
- Nerve root compression in the neck.
- Peripheral nervous disorders.
There are, however, other possible causes that do not fall into these categories.
While the various causes are too numerous to discuss each in detail, some of the more common examples in each category are discussed.
Musculoskeletal diseases and their symptoms
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are among the most common causes of right arm pain, especially in people who are right-handed. A sprain involves an injury to the ligaments of a joint.
Ligaments stabilize the joints by holding the bones together. Common examples of arm sprains include shoulder separation and elbow dislocation.
A strain is stretching or tearing a muscle or tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bone.
Common examples of arm strains include rotator cuff tears and a stretched bicep or tricep.
Tendonitis, or inflammation of the tendons, is another common cause of arm pain. This medical condition typically develops due to repetitive overuse. Examples include tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.
Bone and joint ailments
Degenerative arthritis, or osteoarthritis , commonly affects the shoulder, but it can also affect the elbow. As this osteoarthritis develops due to wear and tear, right-handed people often develop symptoms in the right arm.
Bursitis can also affect the shoulder and / or elbow joints, causing pain due to inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs called bursa near the joints.
Capillary fractures that affect the bones of the arm do not cause an obvious deformity and generally do not interfere with the ability to move the affected arm.
Clues include ongoing pain along with possible swelling and redness. Bone infections and non-cancerous or cancerous tumors are another consideration with painful arm pain.
Nerve root compression
A pinched nerve in the neck is a common cause of pain in one arm, although both arms can be affected. The location of the pain varies depending on the nerve root or roots involved.
Over time, the bones and discs of the neck undergo degenerative changes. This condition, called cervical spondylosis, is the main cause of pinched nerves in the neck.
As discs and bones compress over time, they can pinch nerve roots in the neck as they exit the spinal cord. Spinal arthritis and bone spurs in the neck can also contribute to this condition.
A bulging or herniated disc in the neck caused by injury, such as whiplash, can lead to a pinched nerve in the neck, although this is much less common than cervical spondylosis. The displaced disc compresses the nerve root at the level of the hernia (s).
In addition to arm pain, a pinched nerve in the neck can lead to weakness, tingling, and numbness in the arm.
Peripheral nerve disorders
The spinal nerve roots join to form the peripheral nerves that carry messages between the body and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
Compression or entrapment of the peripheral nerves supplying the right arm can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in various locations, depending on the nerve affected.
Cubital tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndromes are examples of peripheral nerve disorders that can cause arm pain on one side.
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome involves entrapment of the ulnar nerve when it passes near the bony protrusion on the inside of the elbow, the so-called funny bone.
Symptoms can include pain in the elbow and forearm, numbness and tingling in the ring and little finger, and possibly weakness in the hand.
Trauma to the right elbow, keeping it bent for long periods, or leaning on it frequently can contribute to the development of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Thoracic outlet syndromes
Thoracic outlet syndromes are a group of disorders that cause pain in the arm due to compression of one or more nerves and / or blood vessels as they pass between the clavicle and the first rib.
Neurological thoracic outlet syndrome involves compression of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that control movement and sensation of the arm and hand.
Symptoms vary depending on the degree and exact location of the compression, but can include pain, numbness, and weakness in the arm, shoulder, neck, and / or hand.
Diagnosing arm pain
Your doctor will first need to diagnose the underlying cause of the pain in order to treat it.
They will first take a history and physical exam and ask about your activity, possible injuries, and symptoms. Based on your symptoms, the following tests can help your doctor make a diagnosis:
Your doctor may ask you to raise your arms or perform other simple movements to assess your range of motion. This can help them identify the location and cause of possible injury or pain.
Blood tests can help you detect some conditions that could cause arm pain, such as diabetes or certain conditions that cause joint inflammation.
X-rays can help your doctor diagnose broken or fractured bones.
If your doctor thinks your arm pain is associated with possible heart complications, they may order these tests to assess how well your heart is working and assess the flow of blood through your heart.
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves to take a picture of the inside of the body, and they can help your doctor detect problems with your joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Your doctor may use MRIs and CT scans to get a more detailed picture of your soft tissues and bones. This can help them spot problems.
When is arm pain an emergency?
Most of the time, arm pain is not a sign of a medical emergency. In many cases, you can treat arm pain with home remedies.
However, you must get emergency medical attention in some cases.
Treatments for arm pain
Treatments for arm pain vary depending on the cause and severity of the arm pain.
Some treatments for arm pain include the following:
In some cases, the pain in your arm may be severe enough that your doctor will prescribe pain relievers.
For pain due to inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids can help reduce the underlying cause and subsequent pain.
Oral medications, injections, and intravenous medications are available.
Arm pain may need to be treated with physical therapy, especially when you have limited range of motion.
In severe cases of arm pain, surgery may be necessary. For example, a surgeon can help repair torn ligaments or broken bones.
Home remedies
In addition to the medications your doctor may prescribe for arm pain, you can use a variety of home treatments.
Examples of home remedies for arm pain include:
Rest
Sometimes all the body needs is rest. Rest the painful area and avoid strenuous exercises and movements.
Ice
Icing injuries can often help reduce swelling and inflammation. Use an ice pack, covered with a towel, for 20 minutes at a time on the affected area. Wait at least an hour between ice packs.
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
If you don’t want to visit your doctor and your pain is mild, OTC pain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help treat your discomfort.
Do not use these medications for longer than their recommended use.
Compression
Wrapping the affected area with an elastic bandage or brace can help reduce swelling and prevent you from overextending a joint, promoting healing.
Elevation
Keep your arm elevated to help reduce swelling and pain.
If any of these remedies make your pain worse, stop home treatment immediately and see your doctor.
Arm pain prevention
In many cases, arm pain occurs due to a preventable injury or condition.
You can do the following to prevent arm pain and injury:
- Stretch regularly, particularly before exercise.
- Make sure you have the correct form for the exercises you are doing to avoid injury.
- Wear protective gear when playing sports.
- Keeping fit.
- Lift objects carefully.
If, despite your best efforts, you still experience arm pain that is persistent or interferes with your daily routine, see your doctor. They can determine the cause and offer you treatment options.
Other Considerations, Warnings, and Cautions
The conditions discussed represent the majority of the leading causes of arm pain on one side, but there are others. For example, a blood clot or an infection in the arm can cause this symptom.
With the variety of possibilities and the variety of potential threats to your health, it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible if you experience unexplained right arm pain.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any warning signs or symptoms, including:
- Severe or worse pain in the arm
- Traumatic injury to the arm, shoulder, or neck.
- Swelling, redness, or other discoloration of the skin.
- Fever or chills
