Pain in the arm from the elbow to the hand can occur for many reasons. Muscles ache, severe swelling bothers you, muscle tone often increases, forming a defense reaction.
The reasons can be divided into those related to physical activity and those related to the development of various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Statistically, the outer side of the right hand suffers more often than the left.
In most cases, timely and competent treatment gives a good result.
Causes of pain from elbow to hand
Why do your arms hurt from the elbow to the hand? The causes of pain of this kind are very diverse. In addition to pain, patients most often complain that the right or left arm is swollen and there is a pulling sensation in the muscles. In order to understand why pain syndrome develops and what to do to relieve it, you need to consult a doctor.
Overvoltage
Overstrain of the upper limb is most often caused by monotonous work, which involves constantly repeating stereotypical movements (for example, work on a conveyor belt). In this case, the median nerve is quite often compressed by bone and tendon formations in the wrist. In neurology, this disorder is called carpal tunnel syndrome. often manifests itself in musicians, artists, and also during frequent and prolonged work at the computer.
Sports loads
Frequent and intense training and stress on specific muscle groups lead to tendons becoming inflamed. This leads to permanent pain syndrome when making movements in the upper extremities. In this situation, it is advisable to temporarily refrain from physical activity of any intensity.
IMPORTANT! It is necessary to seek advice from a traumatologist or orthopedist. The prescription of physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy, and sometimes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in tablets or ointments (indomethacin, nimesulide) demonstrates high effectiveness.
Diseases
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation of a joint that is triggered by a number of factors. Arthritis is unpleasant because it cannot be cured once and for all. At the same time, my arms ache from the elbow to the hand, the joints are pulled, they ache. The left upper limb is involved in the pathological process later than the right. In order to understand what to do with this disease, you should contact a rheumatologist.
Why is this happening? Causes of arthritis:
- Rheumatic disease
- History of trauma
- Infectious process
- Gout
- Diabetes
- Helminthiasis
- Syphilis
Characterized by incessant aching pain below the elbow and burning. Often the pain syndrome reaches such a level of intensity that a joint blockade develops (the inability to carry out active movements). Since arthritis is famous for its undulating course with remissions and relapses, pain occurs only during periods of exacerbation.
In the joint area there is swelling, hyperemia, and an increase in the temperature of the skin over the joint area. As arthritis progresses, the joint undergoes deformation and contracture develops. It is necessary to seek qualified help from a rheumatologist.
Arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is the slow degeneration of articular cartilage. As the pathology progresses, bones and soft tissues become involved in the process. The joint capsule thickens, which limits the range of motion. The process is asymmetrical; in right-handed people, the process is more often in the joint of the right hand.
Patients are bothered by aching pain in the joint, without clear localization. The pain syndrome is characterized by a high degree of intensity, mobility in the joint is limited over time. The pain tends to intensify with physical activity, and with physical inactivity it subsides. At a severe stage of the disease, the patient cannot sleep due to pain in the joint.
Characterized by limited range of motion and crepitus at the start of activation. The joint is increased in size due to swelling. Over time, the joint becomes deformed and osteophytes grow.
Tendinitis
Tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the tendons of the joints. More often this is the lot of professional athletes. With tendonitis, the joint becomes swollen and achy.
The causative factors are increased loads on the joint over a long period of time, injuries, and an infectious process.
The disease is characterized by severe pain in the affected area, pain increases with changes in weather and with physical activity. Movement in the joints with tendonitis is limited, the joints are sensitive to palpation.
There is local redness (usually the outer side) and swelling in the area of inflammation, the surface of the skin is hot. When performing movements, you can hear the joint creaking.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tunnel syndrome refers to a neurological pathology due to compression of a nerve by the wrist. In this case, the pain spreads from the elbow to the hand. The syndrome received this name because the bones, muscles and tendons form a kind of canal in which the median nerve lies.
Despite the fact that the nerve is protected by musculoskeletal structures, if the canal is defective, it can be compressed. In case of severe tension of the ligamentous and tendon apparatus, tissue perfusion suffers, and there is a lack of nutrients. When this happens continuously, deformation of the canal develops, its walls become swollen, thickened, and loose. The canal becomes narrower, and the pressure on the nerve increases. As a result, the function of conducting nerve impulses decreases and the motor activity of the hand is disrupted.
Diseases of the spine and back
Osteochondrosis is understood as a degenerative lesion of the spine. In addition to the fact that the pain is localized in the back, the joints of the upper limbs are damaged.
The pain syndrome develops slowly. During the first relapses of the disease, pain is recorded with strong physical stress and is mild. As the pathology progresses, the pain worsens and becomes more pronounced. The sensations predominate at night due to muscle relaxation. Paresthesia is observed in areas of the skin (a feeling of “running goosebumps”).
Neurological disorders
Ulnar neuritis is an inflammation of the nerve. The ulnar nerve innervates the area of the body from the elbow to the wrist. In this case, the nervous regulation of movements in the elbow joint is disrupted, and the arm may go numb.
Severe pain, characterized by a high degree of intensity. It occurs abruptly, potentiating insomnia in the patient. The pain intensifies with movement and does not disappear at rest.
Hand mobility is largely limited. Sensitivity in the affected upper limb decreases, numbness is noted, up to partial loss. When the entire nerve becomes inflamed, limb paralysis may develop. The patient loses the ability to move the hand, feels pain during flexion-extension movements, which provokes the development of muscle atrophy. If you have the above symptoms, you should contact a neurologist.
Injuries
Bone fractures and dislocations in the joints of the elbow and wrist occur due to a fall on an outstretched arm in the vast majority of cases. Patients complain of severe, severe pain in the joints. When damaged joints are activated, the pain becomes unbearable.
There is swelling in the joint area. The limb may be rotated in an uncharacteristic direction. The sound of crepitation, a change in the configuration of the joint, atypical mobility, shortening or lengthening of the arm in comparison with a healthy one indicate a fracture. Spring resistance, constant pain, deformation indicate dislocation.
Other reasons
One of the causes of pain in the arm may be thrombosis of the veins of the upper limb. Due to thrombosis, venous stagnation develops. As a result, a pronounced local pain syndrome is formed.
Arterial insufficiency due to atherosclerosis of the arteries of the upper extremities can cause pain from the elbow to the hand. The plaque clogs or narrows the lumen of the vessel, and limb ischemia and pain develop.
Osteoporosis as a cause of arm pain develops in older people. Bone density decreases with this pathology. This potentiates increased fragility and fragility of bones, frequent cracks and fractures, causing pain at the site of injury.
Pain in arm muscles
General information
The muscles of the arm are divided into the muscles of the shoulder girdle, shoulder and hand. Muscles of the shoulder girdle: The deltoid muscle begins with a wide aponeurosis from the clavicle, scapular region and acromion of the scapula and is attached to the upper edge of the humerus. The scapula is covered by the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.
Both muscles cover the back of the scapula; with a wide aponeurosis they are attached along the entire edge of the scapula and end at the greater tubercle of the humerus. The greater tubercle of the humerus faces outward and the muscles attached to it rotate the shoulder outward. On the anterior side, which faces the ribs, the scapula is covered by the subscapularis muscle . It is attached to the lesser tuberosity of the humerus and, contracting, rotates the shoulder inward. The subscapularis, infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles are assisted by the teres major and minor muscles. Elbow flexion is produced by the biceps brachii and internal brachialis muscles. The biceps muscle begins with two heads. The first begins in the bag from the articular surface of the scapula in front, the second - from the coracoid process of the scapula. This muscle lies on the anterior surface of the shoulder and is attached under the head of the radius; it flexes the forearm, helps rotate the forearm palm up, and elevates the shoulder. Underneath it lies a shorter one, the internal brachialis muscle. It begins under the deltoid muscle on both sides of the humerus and attaches to the coronoid process of the ulna. Shoulder muscles:
- supraspinatus;
- infraspinatus;
- small;
- big;
- subscapular.
They control the movements of the shoulder and keep it from dislocating. Particularly important in this regard are the supraspinatus muscle, which is short and strong, and the deltoid muscle on top of the shoulder . In the space between the biceps and triceps muscles lie:
- brachial artery;
- brachial veins;
- deep lymphatic vessels and nerves.
All large vessels lie in the internal groove separating the biceps from the triceps muscles . The external groove is less deep, and the external saphenous brachial vein passes through it. Myalgia is spontaneous or palpation-induced muscle pain. Pain in the arm muscles occurs in many diseases. Pathogenetically, pain in the arm muscles is associated with impaired permeability of muscle cell membranes, swelling or inflammatory changes in the muscles. Pain in the arm muscles can occur in practically healthy people after heavy physical (unusual) work or during overtraining in athletes. In these cases, moderate swelling and hardening of the overloaded muscles are often observed.
Causes of pain in arm muscles
Pain in the arm muscles may be the initial manifestation of polymyositis, which subsequently develops muscle weakness, mainly in the proximal parts of the arm, and moderate muscle wasting. Polymyalgia rheumatica is known , which is characterized by pain and tension initially in the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, then spreading to the muscles of the pelvic girdle and lower extremities. Pain in the arm muscles often occurs with other infectious diseases , in particular with:
- flu,
- brucellosis,
- parasitic myositis (with trichinosis, cysticercosis, toxoplasmosis),
- intoxication (alcohol, lead, carbon monoxide)
- metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus),
- glycogenosis,
- primary amyloidosis.
Arm muscle injury
Vigorous physical activity, even in athletic people, can tear a muscle or tendon. In this case, there is a sudden acute pain in the muscle , swelling and tenderness on palpation. Pain in the arm muscles during exercise is characteristic of metabolic muscle lesions, such as a lack of enzymes involved in glycolysis, most often accompanied by the development of contractures. In most patients with complaints of pain in the arm muscles that occur during or after exercise, no clear pathological changes are detected. Pain in the arm muscles can occur in case of infectious diseases caused by influenza and Coxsackie viruses. The terms fibrositis , fibromyalgia and fibromyositis are synonymous, used to describe lesions accompanied by acute pain and tenderness on palpation of the muscle and adjacent connective tissue. Local “trigger points” of pain can be detected, and general symptoms often occur in the form of severe weakness, insomnia and depressed mood.
Muscular rheumatism
Muscular rheumatism develops in people over the age of 50 and is characterized by tension and pain in the muscles of the shoulder and pelvic girdle. Despite the localization of pain in the muscles, there is convincing evidence that arthritis of the proximal joints develops with this disease.
Patients often exhibit effusions in the knee and other joints, deep muscle atrophy due to inactivity of the limb. In addition, they complain of weakness, which gives reason to suspect the presence of polymyositis. Peripheral nerve diseases can also cause pain in the arm muscles. With neuralgia, pain is paroxysmal in nature and occurs along the nerve fibers. In the intervals between attacks, there is practically no pain, and the painful attack itself can last from several seconds to several minutes. The most severe pain occurs when the arm muscles become inflamed . Myositis is a rather serious disease that must be treated under constant medical supervision. Myositis is inflammation of skeletal muscles. It can occur as a complication of various diseases, such as influenza. A common cause of myositis is muscle overstrain due to unusual physical activity or injury to the arm muscles.
With myositis, aching pain appears in the muscles of the arms, which intensifies with movement. Often, dense nodules or cords are felt in the muscles. With an open injury, due to infection, purulent myositis develops, which manifests itself:
- increased body temperature;
- chills;
- gradual increase in pain;
- swelling;
- tightening and tension of the muscle.
A peculiar form is parasitic myositis, which occurs when muscles are damaged by parasites (Trichinella, cysticerci, Toxoplasma) and is characterized by fever .
Pain in the arm muscles can be caused by an infectious bone disease such as osteomyelitis . The pain in this disease is acute and prolonged. In this case, the cause of pain is the bones themselves. Arm muscle cramps are involuntary contractions of individual muscles or muscle groups. To stop them, it is recommended to relax your muscles. To do this, just lie down or sit down, thereby changing the position of the limb, and strongly rub the cramped muscle with your hands. Then apply a towel soaked in cold water or stand with your bare feet on the cold ground. Fibromyalgia can occur in a variety of locations, but it most often affects the back of the head, lower back (lumbago), neck, shoulder area, chest, and thigh areas near the knee joint. This pain occurs mainly in women. It can be caused or aggravated by physical or mental overload , sleep disturbances, trauma, dampness or cold, and sometimes systemic, usually rheumatic diseases . If pain occurs in the arm muscles, seek help from a neurologist or traumatologist.
What to do? Treatment methods
Pain in the arm should be treated through unloading and traction therapy (bone traction).
Drug treatment involves the use of analgesics (ketorolac), amidopyrine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (voltaren, ibuprofen).
Physiotherapy procedures are effective, including UHF, magnetic therapy, mud therapy, and exercise therapy.
Surgical treatment is carried out in the form of joint denervation, decompression myotomy, fenestration of the iliotibial tract, intraosseous decompression, osteotomy, arthrodesis, and endoprosthetics.
CAREFULLY ! During an exacerbation, physical therapy cannot be carried out, since its effect can intensify the inflammatory response.
How to relieve pain?
What to do if you have pain in your arm from the elbow to the hand? Pain can be relieved with the help of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nise, indomethacin) in ointments, tablets, and intravenous injections. It is necessary to reduce the pressure on the joints as much as possible, ensure their immobilization and functional rest.
Folk remedies in the form of infusions of thyme, calendula, and chamomile demonstrate their effectiveness in relieving swelling and the inflammatory reaction. However, these methods are unable to have an impact on a functional and organic level.
How to relieve hand pain?
When your arms hurt in the area from the elbow and spread to the hand, the treatment method depends on the cause of the discomfort. A doctor can identify the cause based on the results of a comprehensive diagnostic examination.
When contacting a medical facility regarding why your arm hurts from the elbow to the hand, a diagnosis is performed consisting of the following procedures:
- Interview and examination of the patient. The doctor clarifies the nature of the pain and asks about the possible causes of the phenomenon.
- Palpation is performed on the painful area of the elbow joint.
- X-ray to exclude pathology of the heart muscle, spine and elbow joint.
- MRI or CT.
- Laboratory tests of blood and urine to determine the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Symptoms associated with arm pain are important when making a diagnosis. For example, the development of arthritis may be accompanied by pain in the elbow and hand, as well as aches throughout the body and a fever.
The treatment method is selected individually in each case and depends on the type and severity of the pathological process.
Eliminate arm pain using a conservative technique consisting of the following therapeutic measures:
- A course of medications from different groups. Inflammation and pain are eliminated with the help of non-steroidal drugs. If inflammation progresses, then hormonal drugs are indicated. For inflammatory processes in the joint, not only tablet medications can be prescribed, but also external medications. If necessary, injections are prescribed, which can be injected into a muscle, vein or joint cavity.
- Physiotherapeutic sessions prescribed during various periods of treatment, as well as during rehabilitation. Physiotherapy is not prescribed for oncology.
- Physiotherapy.
- Massage.
- Recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.
If the doctor has not identified any serious pathologies of the upper limb, and pain in the elbow and hand rarely bothers you, you can use the following recommendations for home treatment:
- A cold compress will help relieve swelling and inflammation from the painful area. Ice should not be applied directly to the hand; it should be placed in a heating pad or cloth.
- Providing rest for the hand. For this purpose, the affected limb is fixed in a position in which there is no pain.
There are many folk remedies that help reduce pain. It is necessary to understand that home recipes can only be used as an additional technique to the main medical prescription. Before using a folk remedy, be sure to consult a doctor.
When should you see a doctor?
You should consult a doctor if you experience prolonged acute pain in your upper limb. If you experience an injury, you should immediately visit a specialist. In case of excessive physical activity, it is advisable to wait 2-3 days, and if the pain does not subside, go to an appointment with a traumatologist. If the hand is swollen, the pain intensifies, the general condition becomes worse, a doctor’s appointment is required.
Why shouldn't you put off visiting a doctor? Many people believe that the pain will go away on its own, but you shouldn’t rely on chance.
ATTENTION! Delay can lead to irreversible consequences, including amputation of the arm.
In order to understand which doctor to contact, it is necessary to determine the suspected cause of the pain. If an injury is recorded, it is necessary to visit a traumatologist; if a chronic process is observed, a consultation with a rheumatologist is most likely required. If in doubt, you should visit a therapist, who will make a possible diagnosis and refer you to a specialist.