Arm pain (at night): Causes, Treatement, Advices

How to define arm pain?

The arm pain are common and can affect the muscles, joints (elbow, wrist, shoulder), tendons, be localized or diffuse.

Most often, the pain occurs after an injury or a fall. It should however be alert to pain that appears suddenly, especially during exertion, which attenuates the rest: it may reflect myocardial infarction (or "heart attack"), which often manifests as a pain that radiates to the left arm.

If in doubt, call immediately arm pain doctor for help.

What causes the Arm pain ?

The Arm pain have various origins. They are usually of rheumatic origin (bone, muscle or joint).

To better understand the cause, the Arm pain doctor will examine:

• to the antecedents (Are there been a trauma? Fall? A repetitive gesture made, which would have triggered the pain?)
• the location of the pain (arm or forearm, etc.)
• character (mechanical, inflammatory, nocturnal, etc.)
• the associated symptoms (stiffness, inflammation, discomfort and impact on daily life, etc.)

A radiograph can help the doctor, if necessary, to make the diagnosis. The bone-pain, for example (whether a fracture or tumor) is exacerbated by the use of the member and his "weight-bearing". Ditto for joint pain, accentuated by the mobilization of the involved joint.

If pain has a nervous origin (neuropathic), it will result mainly by electric shocks, "stabbing", sensations of burning or tingling, not aggravated by exertion.

In some cases, the pain from the shoulder and radiates to the arm. This is often the rotator cuff in the shoulder, which is involved.

The most common injuries include sprains arm (wrist, elbow), fractures, tendonitis, dislocation of the elbow, etc.

The famous "tennis elbow", which is the elbow tendonitis (also called epicondylitis) is very common: it affects up to 40% of tennis players, and 1% to 2% of the general population.

Tendonitis of the wrist are also common. Quervain tendinitis typically causes pain at the outer edge of the wrist, which hinders the movement of the thumb.

Musicians (violinists or guitarists, for example) are often subject to this kind of problem.

Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa, a sort of pocket of fluid - synovie- located around joints) causes in turn a sharp pain associated with inflammation; it often affects the shoulder but can also involve the elbow.

Other possible causes of arm pain include:

• myocardial infarction (in the case of an emergency)
• a tumor (including bone)
• the carpal tunnel syndrome
• fibromyalgia
• a herniated disc
• rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

What are the consequences of Arm pain ?

In fact their impact on the movements of the arms, the pain quickly disabling.

They can interfere with daily activities and should be supported quickly.

What Treatement have severe Arm pain ?

All obviously depends on the causes.

After a fall or a wrong move, for example, if the pain is not too intense and that no suspicious fracture, it is recommended to put the arm rest, possibly by applying ice and taking antalgic as needed.

If the pain increases, the arm swells or the situation does not improve quickly, Arm pain Doctor.

In case of tendinitis, laying up is essential. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation.