The Mayo Clinic says that arm pain typically occurs anywhere between the shoulders and wrist. The pain can be dull, sharp or cramping in nature. Sometimes, the pain can be due to a nerve injury or a bone fracture. Fortunately, the causes of pain in the arm can be treated effectively.
Brachial Plexopathy
MedlinePlus says that brachial plexopathy is a condition in which there exists pain, numbness and decreased sensation in the arm due to nerve problems. Other symptoms of brachial plexopathy include numbness of the arm, shoulder and hands or tingling and burning of the affected region. Sometimes, this condition can also lead to weakness of the wrist, hand or arm. Horner's syndrome, a condition characterized by a droopy eyelid and facial sweating, can also result.
Brachial plexopathy is specifically due to damage to the brachial plexus, a set of nerves that supply the arm. This damage may be due to tumors, radiation, toxins and birth defects, says MedlinePlus.
Sometimes, no treatment for brachial plexopathy is necessary. However, anti-inflammatory medications such as steroids can reduce inflammation, while medications such as acetaminophen or aspirin can decrease pain. Surgery may be necessary to reduce the pressure that is placed on the nerves.
Broken Arm
A broken arm can also lead to excruciating arm pain. Signs of a broken arm include a loud snap heard during the fracture and arm swelling, bruising and tenderness at the affected site. A broken arm also causes stiff arms, elbows or wrists and the inability to turn the wrists so that the palm either faces up or down.
Falling on an outstretched hand or elbow, playing contact sports, trauma and child abuse are causes of a broken arm.
Treatment involves bringing the arm bones back to normal position. This is medically known as reduction. A doctor will then immobilize the bone with a brace, splint or cast. Medications such as ibuprofen can reduce the pain. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the broken arm with plates, wires, nails or screws.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic describes thoracic outlet syndrome as a medical problem in which the blood vessels and nerves located between the collarbone and first rib become compressed.
It lists three types of thoracic outlet syndromes: neurogenic, vascular and nonspecific. Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome involves compression of the brachial plexus. Symptoms of this syndrome include an ache in the arm and pain in the neck or shoulder. It also causes a weak grip and numbness or tingling of the fingers.
Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome involves a compression of the blood vessels underneath the collarbone. Symptoms of this condition include arm pain, small black spots on the fingers, paleness of the fingers or hands and a lump that develops near the collarbone.
The Mayo Clinic says that an extra rib, bad posture, pregnancy and repetitive activity such as pitching for a baseball team may lead to thoracic outlet syndrome. Also, obesity can place extra pressure on the joints.
Conservative treatment involves physical therapy to stretch the shoulder muscles, relaxation to maintain a good posture and muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medications to manage the pain of thoracic outlet syndrome. Surgery may also be performed to repair any blood vessels that become compressed. The doctor may also remove the first rib to relieve any compression.
