Pain in the left arm can arise from a variety of causes, being common due to inflammation of the tendons or bursa in the shoulder, elbow or wrist region, as in the case of tendinitis or bursitis, but it can also arise due to compression of local nerves.
Furthermore, pain in the left arm may be a sign of a serious problem and may be a medical emergency, such as a heart attack, angina or a fracture, for example, and it is important to seek medical help immediately.
Depending on its cause, pain in the left arm may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling in the arm, weakness in the muscles in the region, a tingling sensation or stiffness in the joint. In these cases, it is important to consult an orthopedist to assess the characteristics of the pain and the presence of other symptoms and, therefore, be diagnosed and begin the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes
The main causes of pain in the left arm are:
1. Angina
Angina is characterized by a feeling of heaviness, pain or tightness in the chest, which can radiate to the arm, shoulder or neck and is caused by a decrease in blood flow through the arteries that bring oxygen to the heart, and is also called cardiac ischemia.
The main cause of angina is atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fat in the heart arteries, and some factors can contribute to its development, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a diet rich in fat, for example. Additionally, angina symptoms can be worsened by exertion or moments of great emotion.
What to do: Treatment must be carried out under the guidance of a cardiologist and depends on the type of angina, and the use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications, vasodilators or beta-blockers, for example, may be indicated. See the main types of angina and how it is treated.
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2. Heart attack
Acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, consists of the interruption of the passage of blood to the heart, causing the death of cardiac cells in this region, which generates pain in the chest that can radiate to the neck, jaw, armpit, back, arm left or even right arm.
This pain in the chest and arm may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as dizziness, malaise, nausea, cold sweat or paleness. Furthermore, when the pain in the left arm is due to a heart attack, it is common for the pain to be quite intense and travel throughout the arm, and for the arm to feel heavier, without strength and with a tingling sensation.
What to do: In the presence of any of these symptoms, you should seek a hospital immediately or call 192 to call SAMU, especially in cases of a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol. This way, it is possible to start treatment as quickly as possible, with medication, catheterization or angioplasty to regulate the flow of blood to the heart and avoid complications. Find out how heart attack is treated.
3. Bursitis
Pain in the left arm can be caused by shoulder bursitis, which is an inflammation of the synovial bursa, a small sac filled with fluid that is located inside a joint, and which serves as a shock absorber between the bones, tendons and muscles, avoiding contact with these structures that could be damaged by constant friction.
Thus, inflammation of this structure can cause symptoms such as pain in the shoulder and arm, difficulty raising the arm above the head, weakness in the muscles in the region and a local tingling sensation that radiates to the arm.
What to do: The treatment of shoulder bursitis must be guided by an orthopedist to reduce inflammation of the bursa, and the use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications, physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection in the shoulder joint or even surgery may be indicated. Furthermore, to complement medical treatment, you can place an ice pack on the shoulder, leaving it to act for around 20 minutes, 1 or 2 times a day. Check out the main remedies for bursitis.
4. Tendinitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon, which is the final part of the muscle that attaches to the bone, and can appear in the shoulder, elbow or arm, causing symptoms of pain in the region that can radiate to the arm, difficulty in carrying out movements with the arm, weakness in the arm and sensation of twinges or cramps in the shoulder.
Tendinitis generally occurs due to some friction in the tendon, repetitive movements, such as when swimming, volleyball, tennis or painting, or from remaining for long periods in a bad posture, such as sleeping all night on your arm or shoulder, for example.
What to do: the joint must be rested, avoiding repetitive strain, to reduce inflammation of the tendon and thus alleviate pain and discomfort in the left arm. Additionally, you can place an ice pack on your wrist for 20 minutes, twice a day. In some cases, the doctor may recommend physical therapy, especially when the inflammation is frequent and does not go away over time, or even the use of anti-inflammatory medications or surgery. See more details about tendinitis treatment.
5. Fracture
Fractures in the arms, forearms and collarbone are the most common and can cause very intense pain in the left arm and the affected region. Furthermore, other symptoms that may occur are swelling and deformity of the area, inability to move the arm, presence of bruises and numbness and tingling in the arm.
Furthermore, injuries or blows to the arm can also cause pain in the region for a few days, even if there is no fracture.
What to do: If a fracture occurs, the person should urgently go to the doctor to be evaluated with the help of an X-ray. Treatment can be carried out using immobilization of the limb, analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications and, later, physiotherapy.
6. Poor circulation
Poor circulation in the left arm, caused by an obstruction in the blood vessel or thrombosis in veins or arteries, for example, can cause pain or a tingling sensation and heaviness in the arm, in addition to swelling.
Furthermore, other symptoms that may accompany pain in the left arm are changes in the color of the hands, which may appear pale or purplish.
What to do: You should consult your general practitioner or angiologist, who will carry out a detailed assessment and request tests such as ultrasound with Doppler of the arm. Treatment depends on the cause, and may include drinking fluids, exercising or, in more serious cases, taking medication to facilitate circulation. Learn more about treatment for poor circulation.
7. Cervical disc herniation
A cervical disc herniation is the rupture or displacement of an intervertebral disc, located between the vertebrae of the spine in the neck region, which causes compression of the nerves in the region, causing pain in the neck that radiates to the arms, hands or fingers. .
In addition, symptoms such as a feeling of weakness or tingling in one of the arms and difficulty moving the neck or lifting the arms may appear.
What to do: The treatment of a herniated cervical disc should be carried out by an orthopedist who may recommend physiotherapy or the use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In more serious cases, the doctor may recommend surgery. See the main treatment options for cervical disc herniation.
8. Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that occurs due to prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels, which can cause progressive damage to the body’s nerves, which can affect the arms, hands or feet, leading to symptoms such as sharp pain, burning sensation, tingling or numbness.
Diabetic neuropathy is generally more common in people who do not take adequate diabetes treatment to control blood sugar levels. Find out how to control blood sugar levels.
What to do: You must undergo the treatment recommended by the endocrinologist, which is generally done with antidiabetic medications, such as insulin, to normalize blood sugar levels. Furthermore, to relieve pain, the doctor may prescribe anticonvulsant, antidepressant or opioid medications, such as pregabalin, amitriptyline or tramadol, for example. Understand better how diabetic neuropathy is treated.
9. Rheumatoid arthritis
Pain in the left arm may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease in which the immune system produces antibodies that attack healthy cells in the body, causing inflammation in the joints.
When rheumatoid arthritis affects the shoulder, elbow or wrist joint, it can cause long-lasting pain in the left and/or right arm, swelling, difficulty holding objects or walking and even deformity in the joint.
What to do: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis must be guided by a rheumatologist and includes the use of medication, an anti-inflammatory diet and physiotherapy, for example, to relieve pain and swelling in the joints and improve quality of life. See all treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis.
10. Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome can also cause pain in the left arm, and occurs due to compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels that are located in the thoracic outlet region, between the clavicle and the first rib.
Generally, thoracic outlet syndrome occurs due to injuries or irritations in these structures, caused by trauma, accidents or repetitive efforts, as in the case of athletes or professional activity, leading to the emergence of symptoms such as pain in the arm, shoulder and neck, sensation of tingling or difficulty moving your arms.
What to do: The treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome must be carried out under the guidance of an orthopedist, who may indicate the use of analgesics, anti-inflammatories or anticoagulants, physiotherapy or even surgery. Find out how thoracic outlet syndrome is treated.
11. Rotator cuff tear
Pain in the left arm may arise due to a tear in the rotator cuff in the shoulder, which is made up of four muscles, such as infraspinatus, supraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis, which are responsible for moving and providing stability to the shoulder.
Injuries in this region usually occur due to inflammation caused by wear, irritation or an impact due to excessive use of the joint, which is more common in athletes or people who work carrying weight with their arms, leading to pain in the arm. that worsens when moving, arm weakness or difficulty in daily activities.
What to do: The treatment of a rotator cuff tear must be indicated by an orthopedist, to reduce the inflammation of the joint and help its regeneration, and may include resting the shoulder, applying ice, physiotherapy or using anti-inflammatory medicines or injecting corticosteroids into the joint. See other treatments that may be recommended by your doctor for rotator cuff tears.
