Pain in Left Arm and Shoulder

While injuries or overuse of muscles are some of the common causes of pain in the shoulder and the left arm, at times, such a pain might be attributed to serious medical conditions. If left arm pain is also accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the chest, it is often seen as a warning sign of a heart attack. A person suffering from recurring episodes of pain in these areas must seek medical help. A thorough medical examination can help the doctors ascertain the underlying cause of pain. Here are some of the common causes of sharp pain in left arm and shoulder.

When Does One Experience Pain in One's Left Arm and Shoulder?

Wondering what causes pain in the left arm and shoulder? Well, pain could be attributed to injuries as well as some medical conditions. Poor blood circulation could also cause left arm numbness and tingling. Here are some of the common causes of pain in and around left arm and shoulder.

Injuries
Rotator cuff injuries figure in the list of the common causes of shoulder pain. The rotator cuff is actually a set of four muscles and tendons that is an important part of the shoulder-joint complex. If any of tendons attached to rotator cuff muscles in the left shoulder develop a tear, one is most likely to experience pain in the left shoulder. The pain can also radiate to the arm. Those who indulge in sports such as golf, rowing, baseball or tennis could suffer from arm or shoulder injuries.

Bursitis
Bursitis is another condition that could give rise to pain in the right or left arm. Bursae are small fluid-filled jelly-like sacs that perform the important function of minimizing friction between tendons, bones, muscles and other tissues surrounding the joints. If the sac surrounding the left shoulder muscles gets inflamed, one is most likely to experience pain in left shoulder and the arm.

Joint Diseases
Those who suffer from degenerative joint diseases are also at an increased risk of developing arm or shoulder pain. Conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis can cause the joints to weaken. A person suffering from such diseases is most likely to suffer from development of bony outgrowths called bone spurs. These outgrowths might form at the meeting point of bones, ligament or tendons. These can rub against the surrounding nerves and cause pain. If a bone spur develops around the left arm or shoulder, one could experience pain. Cervical spondylosis, which is a condition associated with the degeneration of cervical spine, can also cause abnormal sensation in the arms and shoulders.

Cardiovascular Disease
Is pain in the left arm a heart attack symptom? Well, the answer to this question is in the affirmative. If chest pain is accompanied with pain that radiates to the left arm and shoulder, it is usually indicative of cardiovascular diseases. Coronary disease is one of the most common causes of left arm pain in women. A heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart gets blocked. This causes pain in the chest. The pain can also get referred to the left arm as well as the shoulder.

If you recently suffered from an arm or shoulder injury, make sure that you get yourself medically examined. An X-ray examination can help the doctors ascertain the extent of damage. Since pain in the left arm and shoulder could be caused due to other reasons, it's essential that the underlying cause be ascertained. While joint diseases could also give rise to pain in right arm and shoulder, if one is experiencing pain in the left arm along with chest pain, the wise thing to do would be to consult a cardiologist.