Why Do My Arms Hurt? Reasons and Possible Explanations

Once there is pain in the arm, the first consideration is whether it is caused by shoulder-hand syndrome, cervical rib syndrome, costoclavicular syndrome, etc. It is best to go to the orthopedics department of the hospital for an examination to avoid any bone problems.

Shoulder pain radiating to the upper limbs and hands, finger tenderness, swelling, stiffness, color changes, muscle atrophy, flexion deformity, and contracture. It is a reflex neurovascular disease of the upper limbs after myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cerebrovascular accidents, trauma, and other conditions.

The pain is stabbing, drilling, burning, or tearing, varying in severity, radiating from the scapular region to the medial arm and ulnar side of the palm. It is lighter in the morning and worsens in the evening. Turning the head to the affected side, stretching the affected limb, extending and abducting the arm, carrying weight, and performing activities can induce or intensify the pain, while adducting the arm, flexing the elbow, and resting can reduce the pain. There is hypoesthesia or hyperesthesia on the ulnar side of the arm, accompanied by weakness of the upper arm muscles, hand muscles, and wrist drop. Common causes include an excessively long cervical rib or seventh cervical transverse process, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the anterior scalene muscle, variations in the axillary inlet, descent of the shoulder girdle, and compression due to local muscle spasms or contractions.

Due to compression of the ulnar nerve or/and the median nerve, radiating pain occurs on the ulnar side of the forearm. The pain is stabbing or tearing, and it intensifies when pressing on the shoulder and alleviates when shrugging. There is hypoesthesia in the corresponding area, decreased wrist flexion ability, inability to oppose or approximate fingers, and severe cases may present with claw-like hands. The forearm may become edematous due to compression of the subclavian vein.