Arm pain between the elbow and shoulder is a common complaint, involving a complex network of muscles, tendons, bones, and nerves. This discomfort can arise from various sources, often leading individuals to seek medical advice. Understanding its origins is key to effective management. While some causes are minor and resolve with rest, others may indicate more significant underlying conditions.
Common Musculoskeletal Causes
The most frequent causes of upper arm pain often involve the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support arm movement. Muscle strains, such as those affecting the biceps or triceps, are common culprits.
A biceps strain can occur from sudden, forceful contractions, like lifting a heavy object, or from repetitive activities that stress the muscle. This injury typically presents as a sharp, sudden pain in the front of the upper arm, sometimes accompanied by bruising or swelling.
Similarly, a triceps strain, affecting the muscle on the back of the upper arm, can result from overstretching or sudden, powerful extension of the elbow. Athletes involved in throwing or pushing activities are particularly susceptible to triceps strains. The pain is usually felt at the back of the arm and can worsen with movements that engage the triceps, such as straightening the arm against resistance.
Tendonitis, or tendon inflammation, is another common musculoskeletal issue causing pain in this region. Biceps tendonitis, for example, involves inflammation of the tendon connecting the biceps muscle to the shoulder and elbow bones. This condition often develops from repetitive overhead motions or aging-related degeneration of the tendon. The pain is typically felt in the front of the shoulder and can radiate down the upper arm towards the elbow, often worsening with activity.
Overuse injuries, including many forms of tendonitis and muscle strains, arise from repetitive stress without adequate recovery. Activities that involve repeated lifting, throwing, or working with arms overhead can lead to microtraumas in the muscles and tendons. This continuous stress can result in inflammation and pain, particularly in the rotator cuff tendons which stabilize the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tendinitis can cause pain that radiates from the shoulder down into the side of the upper arm, especially during arm movements.
Nerve-Related Causes
Pain between the elbow and shoulder can also stem from issues involving the nerves that travel through the arm. Nerve pain often presents differently from muscle or tendon pain, frequently described as tingling, numbness, burning, or weakness. This distinct sensation helps differentiate nerve-related issues from musculoskeletal problems.
One significant nerve-related cause is cervical radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in the neck. When a nerve root exiting the spinal cord in the neck is compressed, perhaps due to a herniated disc or spinal degeneration, the pain can radiate down the arm. This radiating pain can be felt anywhere along the nerve’s path, often extending into the upper arm, accompanied by sensory changes like pins and needles or muscle weakness.
Peripheral nerve entrapment can also contribute to discomfort, though it is less common for isolated mid-arm pain. Nerves like the radial nerve, which runs down the back of the arm, can become compressed or entrapped. While radial nerve issues more typically cause symptoms in the forearm and hand, compression higher up in the arm could lead to discomfort in the upper arm. These entrapments generally result from direct pressure, repetitive motion, or anatomical variations that narrow the space around the nerve.
Less Common or Serious Causes
While musculoskeletal and nerve issues account for most upper arm pain, less common or more serious conditions can also be responsible. Bone issues, for example, can cause pain in the upper arm. Stress fractures, which are tiny cracks in a bone, can develop from repetitive stress without sufficient recovery time, particularly in athletes. Although rare, bone tumors, both benign and malignant, can also manifest as localized pain in the upper arm bone (humerus).
Referred pain from other systemic conditions can also be a source of arm discomfort. Vascular issues, such as peripheral artery disease, involve narrowed arteries that reduce blood flow to the limbs. While more commonly affecting the legs, severe cases can cause pain in the arms, especially during exercise. This pain, known as claudication, typically improves with rest.
In very rare instances, referred cardiac pain, originating from the heart, can be felt in the arm. While cardiac pain is more often associated with the left arm and chest, it can sometimes present in other areas, including the upper arm. This type of pain is typically accompanied by other symptoms like chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Knowing when to consult a healthcare professional for arm pain is important for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. If the pain is severe, meaning it significantly interferes with daily activities or sleep, medical evaluation is warranted. Pain that worsens progressively over time or does not improve with rest and basic self-care measures, such as ice or over-the-counter pain relievers, should also prompt a visit to a doctor.
It is particularly important to seek immediate medical attention if the arm pain is accompanied by certain concerning symptoms. These include sudden numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm or hand, which could indicate nerve compression or more serious conditions. Additionally, if there are signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, significant swelling, or fever, a healthcare provider should be consulted promptly. Any arm pain that develops after a significant injury or trauma, like a fall or direct impact, also requires professional assessment to rule out fractures or severe soft tissue damage.