Arm Pain Above Elbow

Our hands are useful for performing various kind of activities. When there is an arm pain above elbow then all the normal tasks of our daily life get badly affected. It gives a lot of discomfort to the person suffering from it. The severity of the arm pain above elbow can vary from moderate to severe depending upon the cause of the pain. In certain conditions, the arm pain above elbow can be so severe that the person find it difficult to even lift the arm. In some conditions, both the arms may get pain and in others only one arm experience the pain.

Causes of Arm Pain Above Elbow

The causes behind arm pain above elbow could be directly associated with the problems in the arms and sometimes it could be a symptom of some other underlying health problems. Following are the main causes that lead to arm pain above elbow along with their accompanying symptoms:

Fractures in Bones: The cracks in the bone of the upper arm can be caused by injury caused due to some accident. This can give rise to pain in the upper arm. This pain is often accompanied by inflammation of the area surrounding the injured bone. Bleeding may also occur, if the skin is broken because of the accident. If the injury has caused any nerve damage, then one can get numbness in the arm and in some severe cases it may lead to paralysis as well.

Tendinitis: This problem is caused when there is some inflammation in the tendons. The band of connective tissue that join the bone with the muscles is known as tendons. Swelling of tendons occur when there is some injury or the muscles are overused. It can also happen due to lifting of heavy weights. Along with the pain, other signs of tendinitis include swelling of the arm joints and the arm is hot to touch.

Injury to the Muscles: If the muscles in the arms are overstretched, then one or more of the muscle tissue get torn which leads to arm pain above the elbow. Over stretching of the muscles occur due to excessive use of the muscles. Repetition of certain activities during sports like swimming, throwing a ball, playing tennis and such other activities are mainly responsible for strain in the muscles. The intensity of the pain depend on the extent of damage caused as a result of the muscle strain. This pain is often accompanied by tenderness, swelling and stiffening up of the arm muscles.

Damaged Nerves: If the bundle of nerves present at the joint of the neck and shoulder is damaged then the signal transmission from the spine to the arm get affected. As a result, the muscles in the arms lose control over the arm, hand or wrist and cause the pain. One experiences a sharp pain and stiffness in the upper arm which can further get extended to the hands and fingers as well. Irritation and swelling of the arm and shoulder joint is often observed with this form of arm pain. This can happen due to accidents, contact sports or some bad falls. Read more on pinched nerve in neck symptoms.

Heartburn: Sometimes, the upper arm pain caused due to heartburn could be very severe. Heartburn occurs when the acids present in the stomach goes up the esophagus or food pipe and lead to pain in the chest and upper arm. If the pain intensifies then one may find it difficult even to bend of lying down.

Other Causes: When there is a left arm pain above elbow, it could be a possible sign of angina or heart attack. Angina is a form of chest pain, caused due to heart ailment which get extended to the left arm. It is found more commonly in men. It is not that left arm pain is the only warning sign of angina. However, when you get pain in the left arm pain above elbow, the exact cause behind it has to be diagnosed as early as possible. Usually, it does not give right arm pain above elbow. Diseases like arthritis can also cause pain in the arm above the elbow. Read more on:

• Orthopedics
• Elbow Pain
• Elbow Forearm Pain

The upper arm region contain many muscles and hence do not get injured very easily. However, some health conditions or overuse of the arms can cause injury to them. Sprain and poor posture can also lead to arm pain above elbow. Initially, you can take care of your painful arm at home by providing adequate amount of rest. Application of ice pack can also have a soothing effect to the arm pain. However, if the pain persists then medical attention is recommended.