Upper Arm Pain Diagnosis Chart: Identify Your Arm Pain

Upper arm pain is a common experience and can arise from many different sources. For example, physical injuries such as broken bones, muscle strains, or rotator cuff injuries in your shoulder can cause discomfort. Nerve-related issues, like a pinched nerve or thoracic outlet syndrome affecting your shoulder, may also lead to pain.

Inflammatory conditions, including bursitis in the shoulder or tendinitis around the shoulder, are additional frequent causes. Even systemic issues, such as heart-related problems, can sometimes cause referred pain in your arm.

This guide is designed to help you understand potential causes and recognize differences in symptoms. Use this upper arm pain diagnosis chart as a helpful starting point for understanding your symptoms. However, remember that this chart is not a substitute for professional medical advice or an official diagnosis.

Key Takeaways

• Upper arm pain has many causes, like injuries, nerve problems, or inflammation. This guide helps you understand your symptoms.
• Pay attention to how your pain feels, where it is, and when it started. These details help doctors find the cause.
• Different types of pain, like muscle, joint, nerve, or bone pain, have different symptoms. Knowing these helps you understand what might be wrong.
• Seek medical help if your pain is severe, lasts a long time, or makes daily tasks hard. Also, watch for serious signs like chest pain.
• You can prevent arm pain by using good posture, stretching, and strengthening your arm. Use rest, ice, or heat to manage pain.

Upper Arm Pain

Upper arm pain can feel different depending on the cause, and recognizing the type of discomfort you’re experiencing can help you describe it more accurately. The pain may feel sharp, dull, or achy. Some people notice a burning sensation, while others may feel shooting or stabbing pain. Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations can also occur, sometimes accompanied by numbness. Each of these sensations provides valuable information about what may be contributing to your pain.

Pain Characteristics

Upper arm pain often becomes more noticeable during certain movements. You may feel discomfort when lifting your arm above shoulder height or when reaching behind your back, such as when putting on a coat. Many people also find it uncomfortable to sleep on the affected side, which can interrupt rest. These movement-related symptoms are common and can help identify the source of the problem.

Pain Location (Shoulder, Bicep, Tricep)

Where the pain is located can offer helpful clues:

• Shoulder Area: Pain here can result from sprains, strains, or arthritis. Inflammation of the tendons (tendinitis) or the fluid-filled sacs in the shoulder (bursitis) can also cause discomfort. Other possible causes include a rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, or even a fractured collarbone.
• Bicep Area: Pain in the front of the upper arm often suggests biceps tendinitis, which involves irritation or inflammation of the tendon that connects the bicep to the shoulder and elbow. This condition is commonly linked to repetitive overhead movements, seen in activities like swimming, weightlifting, or tennis. In more severe cases, the tendon may partially or fully tear.

Onset and Duration

Understanding how and when your pain began can help identify the underlying cause. Pain may appear suddenly after an injury, or it may gradually develop over time. It might be constant, or it may come and go depending on activity. Noting when the pain occurs and how long it lasts is an important part of evaluating upper arm pain.

The Upper Arm Pain Diagnosis Chart

This section serves as your core upper arm pain diagnosis chart. It guides you through different categories of pain. You will learn about common symptoms, causes, and initial self-care tips. This pain diagnosis chart helps you identify potential issues based on where you feel the pain. A shoulder pain diagnosis chart can specifically help pinpoint problems around your shoulder.

Muscle-Related Pain

Muscle pain in your upper arm often comes from overuse or injury. You might experience a strain from new or prolonged activities. For example, soreness can occur after walking long distances or painting all day. Starting a new workout routine after a break can also cause muscle pain. Stress can make your muscles tense. Sudden stress causes temporary tension.

Chronic stress leads to constant tension, causing aches in your upper arm. Bicep tendonitis, an inflammation of the biceps tendon, often results from repetitive motion or overuse. Rotator cuff injuries, from mild strains to a complete rotator cuff tear, also cause muscle pain.

When you have a muscle tear, your muscle typically feels sore when you use it. The pain often stays in one spot. This pain can link to a recent event or activity. Chronic muscle strains develop gradually over several days. Acute strains cause immediate pain, sometimes feeling like a tear. You might also experience muscle weakness and an inability to use the muscle. Other symptoms include:

• Pain in the upper arm, possibly with a ‘popping’ sound.
• Muscle spasms.
• A visible change in the bicep’s appearance.
• Loss of mobility.
• Bruising.
• Weakness in the shoulder.

For initial self-care, rest your arm. Apply ice to the affected area. Avoid activities that worsen the pain. Gentle stretching can help once the initial pain subsides.

Joint and Tendon Pain (e.g., shoulder pain)

Joint and tendon issues are common causes of shoulder pain. Tendonitis involves inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bones, helping you move.

Repetitive strain or overuse injuries often cause tendonitis. It commonly affects your shoulder, elbows, and knees. You will feel pain and soreness around the affected joint, usually where the tendon attaches to the bone. Common types include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and shoulder tendonitis.

Rotator cuff tendonitis is a frequent cause of shoulder pain. This pain typically starts in the front of your shoulder. Your shoulder may feel tender. The pain can spread from the front of your shoulder to the side of your arm. It might worsen at night or disrupt your sleep. Movements like extending your arm up, lifting and lowering your arm, or reaching behind your back can intensify the pain. You might also notice:

• Pain and swelling in the front of the shoulder and side of the arm.
• A clicking sound when you raise your arm.
• Stiffness.
• Loss of mobility and strength in the affected arm.

Other joint and tendon problems include bursitis, osteoarthritis, and various ligament or tendon tears. A distal biceps tendon tear near the forearm attachment causes weakness and pain. A labral tear or a SLAP tear in the shoulder can also cause significant shoulder pain.

For initial self-care, rest your shoulder. Apply ice to reduce inflammation. Avoid movements that trigger pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort. This initial treatment can provide relief.

Nerve-Related Pain

Nerve-related pain often feels different from muscle or joint pain. It can manifest as numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” feeling. Muscle weakness and weakened reflexes are also common symptoms. A pinched or compressed nerve is the most common cause. This can happen in your shoulder, upper back, or neck. A herniated disc in your neck can radiate pain into your arm. Chronic joint inflammation can also irritate nerves, leading to nerve pain. Conditions like fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and alcoholic neuropathy can also cause nerve damage and pain in your arms.

Cervical radiculopathy, where nerves in your neck are compressed, causes sharp, radiating pain down your arm. This pain follows specific patterns. You might experience paresthesia, which is an abnormal sensation like tingling or prickling. Muscle weakness and reflex impairment can also occur. This pain diagnosis chart helps you understand these patterns.

Here is how different nerve roots affect your upper limb movement:

For initial self-care, try gentle neck and arm movements. Avoid positions that worsen your symptoms. Heat or ice packs can sometimes provide temporary relief. This upper arm pain diagnosis chart helps you recognize these nerve-related symptoms.

Bone and Structural Pain

Bone and structural issues can cause significant pain in your upper arm and shoulder. These problems include bone spurs, arthritis in the acromioclavicular joint, and acromioclavicular joint dislocations. A collarbone fracture or a shoulder dislocation also causes severe pain.

A proximal humerus fracture, which is a break in the upper part of your arm bone near the shoulder, is another common cause. Shoulder impingement, where tendons or bursa get squeezed, also leads to shoulder pain.

If you have a humerus fracture, you will experience intense pain. You might also see swelling, tenderness, and bruising or discoloration. You will likely be unable to move your arm. A visible deformity can also occur. This type of injury can also damage surrounding tissues like muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

For initial self-care, immobilize your arm as much as possible. Avoid any movement that causes pain. Seek immediate medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment. This shoulder pain diagnosis chart highlights the severity of these conditions.

Referred Pain Causes

Sometimes, the pain you feel in your upper arm does not originate there. This is called referred pain. It can come from muscles, bones, nerves, or joints elsewhere in your body. Pain radiating from your neck, shoulder, or spine is common.

For example, shoulder pain can radiate down your arm, even if the problem is in your neck. Cervical radiculopathy, caused by compressed nerves in your neck, leads to sharp, radiating pain down your arm. This can include numbness, tingling, or weakness. A pinched nerve in your neck or upper back can also affect your shoulder and arm.

In some cases, referred pain to the upper arm comes from internal organs. For instance, problems with your gallbladder or liver can cause arm pain. In rare instances, lung cancer can also cause referred pain. Understanding this type of pain is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. This pain diagnosis chart helps you consider these less obvious causes.

When to Seek Medical Attention

You must know when to seek medical help for your arm pain. Some symptoms are serious. They need immediate attention.

Red Flag Symptoms

Look for sudden and severe pain. This is especially true if it follows an injury or trauma. It could mean a fracture, dislocation, or a severe rotator cuff tear in your shoulder. Persistent, worsening, or acute shoulder pain is a red flag. Weakness or immobility in your arm also needs checking.

If you have numbness or tingling, a “pins-and-needles” sensation, in your shoulder, arm, or hand, it can mean nerve compression or damage. A visible deformity on your shoulder, like a bump or protrusion, suggests a dislocation or fracture. Unexplained swelling and redness around your shoulder joint, especially with fever, signals an infection or inflammatory condition.

Systemic symptoms like fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss with shoulder pain are serious. If you have chest pressure, tightness, or burning with arm pain, seek help right away. Other warning signs include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness, or jaw/neck pain.

Persistent Pain

Sometimes, your pain does not go away. If your pain lasts for several weeks without getting better, you should see a doctor.

This persistent pain could point to conditions like frozen shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis. Chronic shoulder pain impacts your mood and sleep. It also affects your overall quality of life. Do not ignore pain that continues. A doctor can give you a proper diagnosis. They can also suggest the right treatment.

Impact on Daily Life

Your upper arm pain can make daily tasks hard. You might find it difficult to reach, lift, or carry objects. This is especially true when you raise your arm, rotate your shoulder, or reach behind your back. Stiffness can make movement hard, particularly after inactivity or in the morning.

Weakness in your arm makes tasks needing strength challenging, such as lifting or pushing. Numbness or tingling can radiate down your arm to your fingers. This happens due to nerve compression.

Night pain often worsens during rest or when you lie down. This disrupts your sleep patterns and causes fatigue. Shoulder pain significantly reduces your mobility. It impacts your daily activities and overall quality of life. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment can help you regain function and improve your well-being.

Prevention and Self-Care

You can take steps to prevent upper arm pain and manage existing discomfort. Good habits help keep your shoulder and arm healthy. These practices can reduce your risk of developing shoulder pain.

Ergonomics and Posture

Proper ergonomics at your workstation prevents much pain. Adjust your desk height. Your forearm and upper arm should form a 90-degree angle at the elbow. This prevents strain on your back, neck, and shoulder.

Maintain a neutral position. Keep your hands, wrists, and forearms straight and parallel to the floor. This reduces overall muscle strain. Avoid holding the same position for too long. Adjust your workstation and reposition your body often. This prevents muscle tiredness and discomfort in your upper arm. 

Use a supportive chair with adjustable armrests. These armrests support your arms well. This helps prevent shoulder pain.

Stretching and Strengthening

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises support your upper arm and shoulder. They improve flexibility and stability. This helps prevent pain.

Here are some stretches:

1. Wall slide: Stand with forearms on a wall at shoulder height. Your fingers should point up. Slide your forearms up towards the ceiling. Gently push into the wall. Hold at the top. Slide your forearms back down. This helps your shoulder and upper back flexibility.
2. Kneeling lat stretch: This stretch deeply targets your shoulder and midback.

Strengthening exercises also help. They build muscle support around your shoulder.

1. External Rotation with Resistance Band: Anchor a resistance band. Rotate your forearm outward against the band. Keep your elbow tucked.
2. Shoulder Press with Dumbbells: Press dumbbells overhead. Extend your arms fully.
3. Plank with Shoulder Taps: Tap your opposite shoulder while in a plank. Keep your core stable.
4. YTWL Shoulder Exercise: Lie face down. Move your arms through ‘Y’, ‘T’, ‘W’, and ‘L’ shapes. This strengthens your shoulder muscles.

These exercises enhance stability when you move your arms. They are important shoulder pain treatments.

Rest, Ice, and Heat

Knowing when to use rest, ice, or heat helps manage pain. Rest your arm when you feel pain. This prevents further injury.

For acute injuries, use ice. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Allow your skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying. This means at least a 20-minute break. Apply ice every 1 to 2 hours during the first 48 hours after an injury. Do not exceed 20 minutes per application. This helps reduce swelling and pain.

For chronic conditions or muscle stiffness, use heat. Heat therapy can provide pain relief.

This upper arm pain diagnosis chart helps you understand your discomfort. While this pain diagnosis chart is a valuable self-assessment tool, remember it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You must consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment, especially if your shoulder pain is severe or persistent. Listen to your body, especially regarding shoulder issues and any new pain. Prioritize your health for any shoulder discomfort.