Arm Pain Above Elbow

We use our hands for performing so many activities. When there is an arm pain just above the elbow, even the normal tasks of daily life get badly affected as the pain gives a lot of discomfort to the person suffering from it. The intensity of this pain may vary from moderate to severe depending upon its cause. In certain cases, it can be so bad that the patient may find it difficult to move the arm. The condition becomes worse if the annoying pain is experienced in both the arms.

Causes of Arm Pain Above Elbow

The arm pain above elbow could be directly associated with the problems in the arms but sometimes, it could be a symptom of some other underlying health disorders. The main possible causes of pain in the upper part of the arm are as follows:

Fracture in Bones: Cracks develop in the bone of the upper arm mostly due to some traumatic injury. It can be identified with the pain and inflammation in the area surrounding the injured bone. Bleeding may also occur, if the skin is broken because of the injury. In case, the nerves are damaged, one can feel numbness too.

Tendonitis: This problem arises when there is inflammation in the tendons. The band of connective tissue that joins the bone with the muscles is known as tendon. Swelling occur in them either because of injury or overuse of the arms muscles. Tendons may get inflamed after lifting heavy weights. Other signs of tendonitis are swelling and tenderness of the arm joints and the area is hot to the touch.

Injury to the Muscles: If the muscles in the arms are overstretched, then tears develop in one or more of the muscle tissues which leads to upper arm pain. Repetitive arm movements during sports like swimming, throwing a ball, playing tennis and such other activities are mainly responsible for this kind of muscle strain. Here, the pain is accompanied by tenderness, swelling and stiffening up of the arm muscles.

Damaged Nerves: Any damage in the nerves present at the neck and shoulder joint badly affect the signal transmission to the arm. As a result, the muscles present there fail to undergo contraction and relaxation which facilitate movements of the arm, hand or wrist. In this condition, one experiences pain and stiffness in these muscles 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.

Heartburn: Sometimes, severe arm pain above the elbow is due to a digestive problem like heartburn. It occurs when the stomach acids enter the esophagus or food pipe and causes damage to its inner wall. The inflammation in the esophagus lining gives a burning pain in the chest which then moves to the arms. If the pain intensifies, then one may find it difficult even to bend or lie down.

Other Causes: Diseases like arthritis affecting the elbow joint is responsible for a chronic arm and elbow pain. A sudden pain in the left arm just above the elbow could be a possible sign of heart disease such as angina or heart attack. In these conditions, the early symptom is pain and tightness in the middle of the chest that later on, get extended to the left arm as well. Usually, it does not move towards the right arm. However, left arm pain is not the only sign of angina or heart and is accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, etc.

Treatment for Arm Pain Above Elbow

A pain in the left arm along with severe chest pain symptoms should be treated in an emergency room as early as possible. In other cases, you can take care of your painful arm at home by providing it adequate amount of rest for at least two days. While resting the arm, try to keep the elbow in a position above the level of the heart. Application of ice pack has a soothing effect on the pain. A mild swelling can be controlled by wrapping up an elastic bandage around the affected part of the arm. If the pain and swelling persist even after these initial home treatments, then medical attention is recommended. Doctors first conduct physical examination of the entire hand. The severity of the injury is ascertained with the help of X-ray. Pain relieving medicines are prescribe to reduce the pain and inflammation. A fractured arm bone has to be kept in immobilized condition with the help of a splint. Physical therapy is recommended for a chronic pain in the arm near the elbow joint affected by arthritis or tendonitis. Surgery is needed in those cases where the tissues of the arm is badly damaged and the pain is affecting the functionality of the arm.

In general, it can be said that the arms contain many muscles and hence, do not get injured very easily. However, some health conditions or overuse of the arms, poor posture can injure its structural components. Such injuries can be prevented to some extent if you do some flexibility exercise involving the arms muscles on a regular basis.