Arm pain is common and can affect muscles, joints (elbow, wrist, shoulder), tendons, be localized or diffuse.

Most often, pain occurs after an injury or a fall. However, it is necessary to be vigilant in the face of pain that appears suddenly, in particular during exertion, and which diminishes at rest: it can reflect a myocardial infarction (or “heart attack”), which often manifests itself as a heart attack. pain that radiates to the left arm.

If in doubt, call for help immediately.

Arm pain has various origins. They are most often of rheumatological origin (bone, joint or muscle).

To better identify the cause, the doctor will be interested in:

• history (Was there a trauma? A fall? A repetitive gesture made, which would have triggered the pain?)
• the location of the pain (arm or forearm, etc.)
• its character (mechanical, inflammatory, nocturnal, etc.)
• the associated signs (stiffness, inflammation, discomfort and impact on daily life, etc.)

An x-ray can help the doctor, if necessary, to make the diagnosis. Pain of bone origin, for example (whether from a fracture or from a tumor), is exacerbated by the use of the limb and its “weight-bearing”. Ditto for joint pain, accentuated by the mobilization of the joint concerned.

If the pain has a nervous origin (neuropathic), it will mainly result in electric shocks, “stabbing”, burning or tingling sensations, not accentuated by the effort.

In some cases, the pain originates in the shoulder and radiates into the arm (see shoulder pain). It is often the rotator cuff in the shoulder that is involved.

The most common injuries to the arm include sprains (wrist, elbow), fractures, tendonitis, elbow dislocation, etc.

The famous “tennis elbow”, which is tendonitis of the elbow (we also speak of epicondylitis), is very common: it concerns up to 40% of tennis players, and 1% to 2% of the general population.

Wrist tendonitis is also common. Typically Quervain’s tendonitis causes pain at the outer edge of the wrist, which interferes with movement of the thumb.

Musicians (guitarists or violinists for example) are often subject to this type of problem.

Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa, a kind of fluid pocket – synovia – located around the joints) causes a sharp pain associated with inflammation: it often affects the shoulder but can also affect the elbow.

Other possible causes of arm pain include:

• myocardial infarction (this is an emergency)
• a tumor (especially bone)
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• fibromyalgia
• a herniated disc
• rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Because of their impact on the movements of the arms, these pains are quickly disabling.

They can interfere with daily activities and therefore need to be taken care of quickly.

Everything obviously depends on the causes.

After a fall or a false move, for example, if the pain is not too intense and a fracture is not suspected, it is recommended to put the arm at rest, possibly by applying ice and taking analgesics if needed.

If the pain increases, the arm swells, or the situation does not improve quickly, see your doctor.

In the event of tendonitis, resting is essential. Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation.