Pain in the right arm is a common experience, varying from mild discomfort to sharp, shooting pain. It can be constant or intermittent. The arm’s complex structure of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves means issues with any can cause pain. Pain in the arm can also originate from other body parts, known as referred pain.
Musculoskeletal Injuries and Overuse
Musculoskeletal issues often cause right arm pain, stemming from injuries or repetitive motions. Muscle strains, tears in muscle fibers, result from activities like lifting or exercise, leading to localized pain and tenderness. Sprains involve injuries to ligaments, the strong bands of tissue connecting bones, causing pain, swelling, and limited movement in affected joints.
Tendinitis, inflammation of tendons, is another common culprit. Rotator cuff tendinitis affects the muscles and tendons stabilizing the shoulder, causing pain and swelling that can radiate from the front of the shoulder down the arm. This pain often worsens with overhead activities or at night.
Overuse injuries develop gradually from repetitive movements. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) involves pain on the outside of the elbow that can extend down the forearm to the wrist. It results from repetitive strain on forearm muscles, causing microscopic tears and inflammation in tendons. Similarly, golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow and forearm due to repetitive wrist flexion and gripping.
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Nerve compression syndromes occur when a nerve is squeezed or irritated, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, results from compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Symptoms include aching, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring fingers, sometimes extending up the arm. These symptoms often worsen at night or with repetitive wrist bending.
Cubital tunnel syndrome involves compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This condition can cause pain, numbness, and tingling primarily in the ring and little fingers, and weakness in the hand. Symptoms may become more pronounced when the elbow is bent for extended periods or when direct pressure is applied to the elbow.
Cervical radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in the neck, is another source of arm pain. This occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine is compressed or inflamed, often due to degenerative changes like arthritis or a herniated disc. The pain, often burning or sharp, radiates from the neck down into the arm, accompanied by numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness. Specific neck movements can intensify the pain.
Pain Originating from Other Body Parts
Pain in the right arm can sometimes be referred pain, originating from an issue in a different part of the body. For instance, while associated with left arm pain, cardiac issues, such as a heart attack, can occasionally cause pain to radiate to the right arm. This pain may be accompanied by other symptoms like chest pressure, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Problems with the gallbladder, an organ in the upper right abdomen, can also lead to referred pain in the right shoulder or arm. Gallbladder pain, often sudden and severe, typically occurs after eating and can radiate to the right shoulder blade or under the right arm. Other symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, or abdominal tenderness in the upper right quadrant.
Shoulder joint issues, such as arthritis or bursitis, frequently cause pain that radiates into the arm. Arthritis in the shoulder can manifest as a deep ache in the shoulder and upper arm. Bursitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints, can cause pain and swelling in the shoulder area, often worsening with arm movement. These conditions can significantly limit the shoulder’s range of motion.
Recognizing When to Seek Medical Care
Immediate medical care is needed if the pain is sudden and severe, or if it occurs following a significant injury. Symptoms such as chest pressure, shortness of breath, or dizziness accompanying arm pain also warrant immediate evaluation, as these could indicate a serious underlying condition.
Other concerning signs include visible deformity of the arm, inability to move the arm, or sudden onset of numbness or weakness. If pain persists, worsens over time, or interferes with daily activities like sleeping or working, medical advice should be sought.