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As with any kind of pain, arm pain can make day-to-day life difficult, uncomfortable, and in more severe cases, unbearable. The first step to dealing with and treating your arm pain is understanding exactly why you have it. While the practice of “WebMD’ing” yourself is one that’s often advised against, some people are curious to know what is causing their arm pain. At The Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas, our pain experts understand the different ways that arm pain occurs. In this post from the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas blog, we’ll discuss some of the most common reasons our patients experience arm pain.
Pinched nerves are one of the most common sources of long-lasting arm pain. The reason pinched nerves result in pain in your arm is due to what’s known as nerve compression. Most often, people experience the nerve compression syndrome known as carpal tunnel syndrome. With carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve that runs down the center of your arm is compressed leading to pain in your wrist to the middle of your arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by repetitive movements of the wrist.There is also ulnar nerve compression, known as cubital tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome. This is when the ulnar nerve that runs down the little finger side of your arm gets compressed in a tight spot, like around your elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome is usually the result of keeping the arm bent in the same position for a long time, like resting it out of the car window or leaning on your elbows while sitting at a table. There are other types of nerve compression, like radial nerve compression, radial tunnel syndrome, and more, but most people will experience either carpal or cubital tunnel syndrome. If you think you may be experiencing nerve compression syndrome to any degree as a result of repetitive movements or keeping your arm in the same position at the workplace or elsewhere, reach out to the arm pain management experts at the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas.
If you’re experiencing arm pain as a result of a sprain or a break, you probably already have an idea of why your arm hurts. Sprains are the result of the stretching or tearing of ligaments or tendons, from things like trip and fall incidents or minor car accidents. These are common injuries that will usually heal with some rest, ice, and heat. In some cases, severe sprains may require surgery. On the other hand, breaks are often more serious than sprains. Broken or fractured bones result in intense, sharp pain in the arm. When a break occurs, it’s common to hear a loud snapping or popping sound. Broken bones in the arm are common injuries from those that participate in combat sports like wrestling or MMA, contact sports like football or hockey, or even things like gymnastics and skateboarding. When experiencing pain from a broken arm, you should seek medical attention immediately to ensure a smooth and successful healing process.
Rheumatoid arthritis more commonly occurs in senior citizens, but it can occur in younger people, especially those that work in physical labor. This condition is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation, primarily affecting the joints. If you’re experiencing pain in your elbow that just does not seem to go away, look out for other symptoms like swelling, stiffness, and the area feeling warm and tender to the touch. These are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and you should go to a pain management specialist like the experts here at the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas to explore your treatment options as soon as possible.
These are the most common reasons that people experience long-lasting arm pain. Of course, as with any pain, other conditions may be causing your pain. If you’re located in Dallas, TX, or the surrounding areas, and are experiencing long-lasting arm pain, the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas is here for you. Our pain experts have helped countless patients overcome their arm pain through meticulous and comprehensive pain treatment plans that cover all possible conditions and situations. For best-in-class care and pain treatment in Dallas and the surrounding areas, reach out to the Comprehensive Spine Center of Dallas today online or over the phone.
