{"id":7906,"date":"2019-07-05T07:16:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T07:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7906"},"modified":"2021-04-20T14:56:59","modified_gmt":"2021-04-20T14:56:59","slug":"likely-causes-of-pain-in-right-arm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/likely-causes-of-pain-in-right-arm\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Likely Causes of Pain in Right Arm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You might be reading this because you have serious pain in the arm that you can’t seem to find the root cause of. Pain in the left arm can be a really serious indicator of heart issues, but what about the right arm? What could be the cause of pain in the right arm and is it any different to the causes of pain that we might feel in the left arm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arm pain or pain in the arm is defined as persistent discomfort or troubling pain that is felt and experienced anywhere throughout the arm, stretching up to and including pain that may be felt in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Arm pain on the right side can occur for a variety of different reasons with 8 of those possible reasons listed and described here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This list might give you an idea as to what the issue is, but a doctor\u2019s opinion is the best way to make absolutely sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Rotator Cuff Tear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If the pain in your right arm is being caused by a tear in the rotator cuff, there\u2019s a very good chance that the pain has reached excruciating levels. Many people claim that a rotator cuff tear is even more painful than actually dislocating a shoulder, something which is confirmed by doctors who say that this type of injury <\/a>is also even harder to fox than a dislocated shoulder.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the rotator cuff is a very common location for injuries to occur. The most common types of injury to the rotator cuff include things tears, strains, localized tendinitis, and bursitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone at all can suffer from a rotator cuff tear, however, there are people who are more at risk, such as tennis players or baseball players. Generally, anyone who uses their arms and shoulders a lot, particularly above their head could be at risk of developing a rotator cuff tear, a very painful cause of pain in the right arm.

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2.     Arthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis <\/a>is often misunderstood as an illness that affects only the old and infirm, however, this is a dangerous misconception to make, given the sheer variety of different types of arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incredibly and somewhat unbelievably, there are actually more than 100 different forms of arthritis that can affect people at virtually any stage of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis isn\u2019t curable, but there are a lot of treatment options that a patient can expect to be offered following a diagnosis of arthritis. Arthritis wreaks havoc on the joints and muscles, causing pain and instability and affecting a person\u2019s day to day lifestyle. Arthritis in the right arm can affect a person at a range of locations from the top to the bottom of the arm. Arthritis can be felt in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. It isn\u2019t always unbearable and can sometimes depend on external factors such as the weather or exposure to things like alcohol and drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Carpal tunnel syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A very serious potential cause of right arm pain could be carpal tunnel syndrome. When the pain in the right arm is suspected to be the cause of pain in the right arm it is pertinent that someone seeks medical advice and professional assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carpal tunnel syndrome<\/a> is a condition that occurs when there is a painful and tight compression of what is known as the median nerve, as it passes from the arm and into the hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nerve known as the median nerve is located facing up, on the palm side of the hand. What this means is that the pain can be felt anywhere along the arm but is most usually experienced as a pain in the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.  It has been described as feeling like having a tightening clamp like a bracelet around the whole forearm and wrist, something that is obviously very painful and distressing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Tennis elbow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is a common misconception of this cause of right arm pain that tennis elbow is only ever something that tennis players get. Just as it is a common misconception that it is only runners who end up with runner\u2019s knee or swimmers who end up with swimmer\u2019s neck. In fact, tennis elbow and the pain that it causes can affect anyone for a range of different reasons, usually as a result of overuse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tennis elbow <\/a>has been found to commonly occur when a specific and localized muscle within the forearm becomes damaged in some way. As mentioned before, the injury usually comes on as a kind of repetitive strain injury, or due to the overuse of the arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cause of arm pain gets its name from the sport of tennis, due to the types of movement that the game involves, together with the fact that a lot of high profile tennis players have suffered from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. \tRadiculopathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another potential cause of pain in the right arm is found with what is known as radiculopathy, otherwise known as a pinched nerve in the spine<\/a>, which can cause varying levels of pain in various and widespread parts of your body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is true that in most cases of radiculopathy, an approach that focuses on conservative treatment options such as physical therapy can provide better recovery rates than those which can be provided by surgical interventions. The best way to effectively diagnose radiculopathy is to seek the advice and opinion of a neurosurgeon or spine specialist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is always very interesting to see how injury to a certain part of the spine can affect other parts of the body so significantly, but it is true that the pain may not always be felt in the place where the problem originates. The nerve maps that many specialists have up on display always make for interesting reading.

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6.     Dislocations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dislocations <\/a>can happen for a number of reasons. A dislocation is sometimes caused by heavy impact or trauma, but can also be caused by overuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is true that some dislocations occur as a result of seemingly very innocuous things like pulling a sweatshirt over the head or walking the dog, but it really doesn’t matter how the dislocation occurred, it is far more important to work out how to treat it, in order to stabilize the joint and manage the pain in the first instance but also to prevent against any long term complications that may arise from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This condition is usually considered to be a medical emergency, given the sheer amount of pain it can cause and urgent medical care may be required. Dislocation means that a person\u2019s bone is no longer in the place where it should be, meaning that you should definitely treat it as an emergency and seek medical attention at the earliest possible opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Fibromyalgia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Living with fibromyalgia <\/a>can often feel like a curse. It typically affects women far more often than it affects men and is something that can be frustrating and reassuring at the same time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone is seeing a diagnosis for their arm pain, this may well be one of the last stones that get unturned, and as a result, any person who receives this diagnosis may be relieved to finally get to the root of the problem, but may also be frustrated that they have been presented with an incredibly complex condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone living with fibromyalgia would confirm and know that it is s a very complex disorder with an ever-increasing range of potential or likely causes. The causes will always dictate the treatment options that are available, as well as any potential risk factors. If this is the cause of your right arm pain, the advice and assistance of medical professionals will be so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.     Frozen Shoulder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Frozen shoulder is an incredibly painful and restrictive condition that massively limits the range of motion and normal movement in your shoulder. The shoulder is one of the most agile and versatile joints in the body and so it is particularly vulnerable to different types of injury. 
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When these injuries <\/a>are treated inaccurately or ineffectively, it can cause the frozen shoulder to develop. After surgery as well, a frozen shoulder can be brought on if the treatment methods and rehabilitation plans weren’t followed to the letter.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgery is often required to perform a capsular release and give a person their full range of shoulder movement back. This list of 8 likely causes of the pain in the right arm may or may not help you determine what is causing yours, but it should offer anyone a good starting point in trying to identify some of the more common reasons as to why we feel pain in this location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Over-Exertion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Overexertion is one of the most common forms of arm pain. Our muscles <\/a>have a strength threshold, and when we exceed this threshold by lifting objects that are too heavy, we may experience strains in the biceps, triceps, or forearms, resulting in symptoms of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases of minor strains, the symptoms of pain and discomfort will start to subside after two to three days, provided that the patient receives enough rest. However, those people that do not rest the injured area may experience the onset of conditions like tendonitis, which may end up as a long-term issue that requires treatment with physiotherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, overexertion may develop due to minor tasks such as typing on a keyboard or moving a mouse. The repetitive strain of these movements may cause issues with the ligaments and tendons in the arms over time, resulting in problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience pain in your arm that lasts longer than 48-hours and does not show signs of subsiding, then it’s recommended that you visit your doctor for a diagnosis.
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10. Circulation Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The muscular system relies on a steady stream of oxygenated blood to maintain optimal levels of function. Patients who have circulatory disorders may find that they start to experience pain in the extremities, including the lower limbs and the arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decreases and circulation <\/a>may occur for a variety of reasons. The more common causes of adverse health disorders include issues with heart function.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A narrowing of the arteries may also place additional stress on the circulatory system as well. Both of these conditions occur as a part of the natural aging process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Circulation is also affected by lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol, which may end up causing pain when the muscular system does not receive enough oxygenated blood to sustain functionality. If you are over the age of 65-years old and start to experience problems with your arms and legs exhibiting pain symptoms, visit your doctor for a checkup to check on your circulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Heart Attack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A heart attack<\/a> or angina can cause symptoms of chest pain to radiate into the arm. While this condition is more common on the left side of the body, the pain may also radiate into the right side as well. Also known as acute myocardial infarction by the medical community, a heart attack is a severe condition that requires immediate medical treatment, as it is a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart attack and angina are more common in people over the age of 50 with a previous history of cardiovascular disease or a family history of a heart attack. Recent research shows that people who have other family members that experience heart attacks are more than three times likely to experience the condition as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that receive the onset of a heart attack may also notice other contributing symptoms, such as a tightening sensation in the chest, along with shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you experience the onset of these symptoms, it’s best to sit down and call for help. Moving around will increase your heart rate and anxiety, worsening the effects of the condition, while reducing the chances of a positive outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Nerve Compression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a complex network of nerves<\/a>, extending from the base of the brain through the neck. When a nerve becomes trapped in one of the vertebrae, we experience pain radiating down the shoulder, into the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common reason for a trapped nerve in the neck is our sleeping position. People who sleep with too many pillows or too little pillows, experience misalignment of the spine that results in pain. In most cases, this pain lasts for 24 to 48-hours until the affected joint releases the trapped nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in some cases, it may become trapped in the neck due to a medical condition, such as spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis is a slow degeneration of the vertebrae in the neck, causing degradation of the discs separating the joints. Unfortunately, there is no cure or therapy for this condition. The patient may have to seek help from a professional physical therapist to help them manage the pain symptoms and release the trapped nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition describes an entrapment involving the ulnar nerve. This nerve passes near the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This area of the arm is known as the “funny bone,” but there’s nothing funny about this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cubital tunnel syndrome<\/a> Presents symptoms of pain in the elbow and forearm as well as tingling and numbness in the pinky and ring finger, and in some cases, the patient may experience weakness in the hand as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition occurs due to trauma to the right elbow sustained by impact, such as banging your elbow on a hard surface. The syndrome may also occur due to repetitive strain on the elbow due to keeping it bent for a prolonged period, or leaning on the affected arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who experience cubital tunnel syndrome require physiotherapy to release the trapped nerve and restore the Artful function. In some cases, this type of nerve damage may lead to atrophy of the muscles in the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Thoracic Outlet Syndromes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is a group of nerves passing between the first rib and the collarbone. When the patient experiences arm pain, it may be due to the compression of blood vessels and nerves passing through this area. The pain radiates from the top of the shoulder or collarbone, through the upper arm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group of vertebrae extending from the base of the neck towards the lower lumbar region is known as the thoracic spine. Nerves trapped in this area may cause a complete locking of the upper back as well as severe pain either arm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome<\/a> involves the compression of the network of nerves that control hand and arm movement, known as the brachial plexus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A patient who is dealing with the syndrome requires extensive physiotherapy to release the nerves. However, in some cases, it is not possible to restore the normal function of the arm, and the patient experience atrophy of the muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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