Reasons for pain in left arm
Having pain in your left arm may be a result of many different causes. These can range from an injury to your rotator cuff to a herniated disc.
Whatever the reason, it’s essential to identify the symptoms as soon as possible to get the best treatment possible.
Rotator cuff injury
Among the many types of shoulder injuries, a rotator cuff injury is one of the most common. A cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the upper arm bone in the shoulder socket.
When these muscles and tendons become damaged, they can cause many symptoms. The pain may be localized on the shoulder but can also move down the arm.
A tear in the cuff tendons often causes rotator cuff pain. In these cases, the pain may be exacerbated by reaching or lifting. It may also interfere with sleep. A rotator cuff tear can happen over time or occur suddenly.
A rotator cuff injury is usually treated with nonsurgical methods. These treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy. However, some people may require surgery.
They may also need to avoid certain activities.
Rotator cuff tears are common in people who participate in sports or other
activities that involve throwing. In particular, baseball pitchers, tennis players, and weightlifters are at risk.
Other injuries that can cause a rotator cuff tear include falls, jerking movements, and overuse.
If you have a rotator cuff injury, your doctor will test your range of motion. They may also use imaging tests to see if there is a tear. In addition, x-rays look for bone calcifications.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also provide information about the size and quality of the rotator cuff muscles. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and restore function.
A rotator cuff tear can occur in people of all ages, but they are more likely to occur in younger people. It is also more common in people who do overhead activities.
Herniated disc
Disc herniation is a condition in which a portion of the jelly-like substance in a disc bulges out, often resulting in pain and numbness in the arm or leg. A herniated disc may also cause muscle weakness and fatigue.
Knowing the symptoms of a herniated disc is essential to get the proper treatment for your condition.
Disc herniation can occur from injury, trauma or general wear and tear. In addition, aging affects the health of a disc. The inner part of a disc can become more complex as it ages, making it more likely to rupture.
This is a process called degenerative disc disease.
A herniated disc can cause pain in the left arm. The pain is often sharp and burning. It can also radiate into the sole and into the outside of the foot. It may also cause tingling in the leg.
A herniated disc is typically treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy.
A herniated disc can result from lifting a heavy object or naturally occur from aging or injury. The pain is usually worse when bending or moving the body. If the pain persists, you may require surgery.
A herniated disc is a common cause of neck and upper back pain. Depending on the location of the herniation, the pain can be localized or referred to.
The most common places for herniations are C5 and C6. You should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you experience pain or tingling in the left arm.
A doctor may perform a physical examination if the pain is not resolved with rest or medications. This test will evaluate the range of motion and flexibility of the neck and difficulty for signs of nerve root irritation.
A herniated disc can be treated with physical therapy, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery.
Surgery is usually reserved for cases that do not respond to nonsurgical treatments and can be performed when a patient is experiencing extreme pain.
Tendonitis
Symptoms of tendonitis include pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is usually caused by overuse or an injury to the tendons. Tendonitis usually gets better with rest and anti-inflammatory medications.
However, you may need to visit a doctor if your pain persists. If your pain is severe, you may be referred to a physiotherapist.
Repetitive motions and poor posture can also contribute to tendonitis. Your doctor may suggest you change your activities or work habits.
Rest and ice packs can also help to control the pain. You may also be prescribed NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
These medications can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
You may need to use a brace to support the injured tendon. Your therapist may also provide massages and deep heat treatments using ultrasound. This may improve joint mobility.
Your doctor may also give you pain-relief medication, such as acetaminophen, to relieve pain. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe more potent painkillers.
You may also be referred to a physical therapist for rehabilitation exercises. This can help strengthen your shoulder and improve your range of motion.
Your doctor may also suggest you use a corticosteroid injection into your injured tendon. These injections work by reducing inflammation quickly. They should be used in conjunction with ice and exercise.
If your pain persists, you may need to consider surgery. Surgery is usually reserved for cases that don’t respond to other treatments.
In most cases, tendonitis can be treated with rest, ice packs, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may also suggest corticosteroid injections or physical therapy.
The length of rehabilitation will vary depending on the type of tendonitis. Generally, it takes at least two to three weeks for a mild case to improve. However, a severe case may need weeks or months of rest.
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Unstable angina
Symptoms of unstable angina can be unpredictable, so getting medical attention as soon as possible is essential.
Unstable angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease, a medical condition that causes the coronary arteries to narrow. This reduces blood flow to the heart and causes chest pain.
Symptoms may occur even if you’re resting or doing minimal physical activity.
Unstable angina can cause the same symptoms as a heart attack. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, nausea, and dizziness. It may also cause numbness or loss of feeling.
The heart’s electrical system may be altered, which can lead to sudden death.
Some factors, such as coronary artery disease, fatty deposits in the arteries, and excessive blood clotting, can cause unstable angina. It’s essential to treat unstable angina as soon as possible to prevent a heart attack.
A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked. This can be caused by plaque, a fat and cholesterol deposit narrowing the arteries.
An untreated clot can grow and completely block the route, which may lead to heart failure or a heart attack.
Unstable angina is a medical emergency and can be treated with short-term measures to reduce pain. These treatments include medication to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation.
If symptoms persist, surgery may be required.
If symptoms of unstable angina occur for more than five minutes, they should be reported to 9-1-1. Your doctor may also perform a nuclear stress test or a stress echocardiogram to help diagnose your condition.
These tests can show reduced blood flow to the heart.
If unstable angina continues, your doctor may recommend medications and surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
In severe cases, heart bypass surgery may be required. During the procedure, a small metal mesh tube called a stent is inserted into the artery, which keeps it open.
Muscle strains and strains
While both sprains and strains are often caused by sports injuries, overuse, or accidents, they are two different things:
A sprain is an injury to a ligament (the tissue that connects bones).
A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon — the tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Sprains and strains of the shoulder, bicep, and forearm muscles can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Muscle strains also tend to present with spasms, weakness, or spasms, both of which can make it difficult to move the affected joint.
How to treat it: Mild sprains and strains can be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, elevation, and NSAIDs.
“Many sprains or strains heal in just a few weeks.
However, with most orthopedic injuries, you should seek professional care if the pain does not significantly decrease within 3-4 weeks,” says Robert Anderson, MD, Orthopedic Physician at Summit Orthopedics ( Robert Anderson).
broken bones
A broken arm, also known as a fracture, can affect any of the three bones in the arm, the radius and ulna that make up the forearm.
Fractures are common in all age groups and are most commonly caused by accidents such as B. being in a car accident or falling with an outstretched arm while playing sports.
Fractures become more common with age as bone density decreases, making bones more brittle and weaker.
A broken arm usually causes noticeable, severe pain along with:
- swelling
- bruises
- deaf
- Difficulty moving without pain How to treat it: If you think you may have broken your arm, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.Simple fractures can be adjusted and then treated with just rest, ice and a sling, but more serious fractures may require a cast and/or surgery.