Arm Pain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Pain in the arm
Pain in the upper arm
Pain above the wrist
Fell on my hands
Forearm pain
Arm pain after falling on a stretched out hand
Pain in left arm
Left forearm pain
Arm hurts after falling on hands
Pain in the right upper arm
Pain below elbows
I have a pain in my arm
About the Symptom
Arm pain can be a painful sensation in the whole or any part of the arm. The pain may be pressing, sharp or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Muscle weakness in the limbs
- Back pain
- Low back pain
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
Possible Causes
Generally, Arm pain can be related to:
- Neuralgic Amyotrophy
Neuralgic amyotrophy is a nervous system disorder characterized by sharp, constant pain in the arm, shoulder, and/or neck. It can be either hereditary or idiopathic (unknown cause). The exact disease mechanism is unknown but could be autoimmune (immune system attacks the body's own tissues), genetic, or external factors (e.g., infections, medications). It's more common in men.
- Cervical Spondylosis
A condition in which the neck bones (cervical spine) become damaged due to wear and tear. Risk factors include long periods of desk work and driving, previous neck injuries, and aging.
- Adhesive Capsulitis
Also known as "frozen shoulder". This condition is caused by inflammation of the ligaments and capsule around the shoulder joint. As the disease progresses, patients find it increasingly difficult to move the shoulder joint. Risk factors include diabetes, thyroid conditions, age, and injury to the joint.
- Fibromyalgia
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Bone Tumor
- Neuropathic Pain
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Arm pain may be related to these serious diseases:
- Distal Radius Fracture
This describes a break in the bone of the radius at the level of the wrist. There are various types or patterns of distal radius fractures.
- Humeral Fracture
- Decompression Sickness
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing arm pain?
- When did you first start experiencing arm pain?
- Which of the following best describes how your arm pain appeared?
- How often do you experience arm pain?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your arm pain at its worst?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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With a free 3-min Arm Pain quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I have pain in my right arm
- Arm hurts after repetitive use
- Arm hurts after using it a lot
- I have pain in my left arm
- Pain in the left upper arm
- Right forearm pain
- I have pain in both arms
- Arm pain after using it a lot
- Pain in the upper arms
- Both forearms hurt
- Arm pain after repetitive use
- Sharp pain in the arm
- Arm hurts after frequent use
- Upper arm hurts
See full list
Find Similar Symptoms
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FAQs
Q.
Biceps Pain? Why Your Arm is Failing & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Biceps pain and arm weakness most often stem from tendinitis, muscle strain, or partial tears, but shoulder injuries, neck nerve issues, and complete tendon ruptures can also be the cause. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand causes, red flags, recovery timelines, and who may need imaging or surgery. Immediate, medically approved steps include short rest with gentle motion, ice 15 to 20 minutes 2 to 3 times daily for 48 to 72 hours, NSAIDs if safe, and early physical therapy, with steroid injections or surgery only when indicated. Seek urgent care for a sudden pop with deformity, chest pain, fever with redness, major trauma, loss of circulation, or progressive true weakness, and speak to a doctor if pain lasts more than 1 to 2 weeks or limits daily tasks; complete guidance is below.
References:
* Patel, M. K., & Khakharia, S. (2021). Nonoperative Management of Proximal Biceps Tendinopathy. *Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 52*(3), 263–270.
* Sorenson, S. C., & Basques, B. A. (2022). Surgical Management of Long Head of the Biceps Tendon Pathology. *Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 53*(2), 225–233.
* Chen, L., Wu, Z., Chen, J., Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Long Head of Biceps Tendon Pathology: A Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. *Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma, 11*(2), 225–231.
* Choi, M. W., & Chang, J. S. (2020). Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures: A Review of Diagnosis and Treatment. *Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 13*(3), 288–294.
* Friedman, S. L., & Muh, S. J. (2017). Diagnosis and Treatment of Proximal Biceps Tendinopathy. *Sports Health, 9*(5), 417–422.
Q.
Can workouts trigger pain for a female under the right armpit?
A.
Yes—workouts can trigger pain under the right armpit in females, most often from muscle strain (pectoralis/serratus/latissimus), pectoralis minor syndrome, or improper form and overuse. There are several factors to consider: other causes include swollen lymph nodes, breast or skin conditions, intercostal or cervical nerve issues, and thoracic outlet problems, with red flags like a hard lump, fever, numbness, or sudden severe pain needing prompt care. See below for how to tell if it’s workout-related, prevention steps, and guidance on when to see a clinician.
References:
Sanders RJ, & Annest SJ. (2007). Pectoralis minor syndrome: a new view of an old problem. Journal of Shoulder & Elbow Surgery, 17261419.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17261419/
Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography: a multicenter… Journal of Hepatology, 18093833.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18093833/
Sebastiani G, Alberti A, & Halfon P. (2013). Liver stiffness measurement predicts hepatic decompensation… Journal of Hepatology, 23219992.
Q.
What could cause a female to have pain under the right armpit?
A.
In women, pain under the right armpit can stem from muscle strain; swollen lymph nodes or skin infections (including abscesses or shingles); breast issues like mastitis or, less commonly, cancer; nerve problems; referred pain from the gallbladder or liver; or even a vein clot. There are several factors to consider—see below for specifics, urgent warning signs (severe chest pain or breathing trouble, fever with redness, arm swelling/discoloration, rapidly growing lumps with night sweats/weight loss), and next steps including self-care for mild strain versus seeing a clinician if symptoms persist beyond 1–2 weeks or worsen.
References:
Illig KA, & Doyle AJ. (2010). A comprehensive review of thoracic outlet syndrome… J Vasc Surg, 20376119.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20376119/
Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-st… Hepatology, 11157951.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/
Foucher J, Chanteloup E, Vergniol J, et al. (2006). Diagnosis of cirrhosis by transient ela… Hepatology, 16530502.
Q.
What could be the possible causes when your arm feels weak and painful?
A.
Weakness and pain in the arm can result from various causes, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to neurological conditions. Understanding these potential causes is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
References:
Moradi A, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Ring D. Nonspecific arm pain. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Dec;1(2):53-8. Epub 2013 Dec 15. PMID: 25207288; PMCID: PMC4151410.
Chabok HA, Ring D. Arm ache. Hand (N Y). 2014 Jun;9(2):151-5. doi: 10.1007/s11552-014-9604-3. PMID: 24839415; PMCID: PMC4022964.
Palmer KT, Reading I, Linaker C, Calnan M, Coggon D. Population-based cohort study of incident and persistent arm pain: role of mental health, self-rated health and health beliefs. Pain. 2008 May;136(1-2):30-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.06.011. Epub 2007 Aug 8. PMID: 17689865; PMCID: PMC3284249.
Q.
What are the causes of the pain in inner forearm?
A.
Pain in the inner forearm can be caused by various factors, including musculoskeletal injuries, repetitive strain, nerve compression, and underlying medical conditions. Identifying the specific cause is essential for effective treatment and management.
References:
Palmer KT. Regional musculoskeletal conditions: pain in the forearm, wrist and hand. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2003 Feb;17(1):113-35. doi: 10.1016/s1521-6942(02)00100-6. PMID: 12659824.
MacIver H, Smyth G, Bird HA. Occupational disorders: non-specific forearm pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007 Apr;21(2):349-65. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2006.11.002. PMID: 17512487.
Ponnappan RK, Khan M, Matzon JL, Sheikh ES, Tucker BS, Pepe MD, Tjoumakaris FP, Nassr AN. Clinical Differentiation of Upper Extremity Pain Etiologies. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015 Aug;23(8):492-500. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-11-00086. Epub 2015 Jun 26. PMID: 26116851.
Q.
What causes pain in the arm muscles? Any remedies?
A.
Muscle soreness in the arms is most often due to strenuous exertion, overuse or injuries. Effective treatments include rest, massage, icing, graded return to activity and the use of anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
References:
Moradi A, Ebrahimzadeh MH, Ring D. Nonspecific arm pain. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2013 Dec;1(2):53-8. Epub 2013 Dec 15. PMID: 25207288; PMCID: PMC4151410.
Krapac L. Najcesći sindromi prenaprezanja na gornjim ekstremitetima pri odredenim radnim djelatnostima [The most common overuse injury syndromes of the upper extremity associated with work activity]. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2001 Dec;52(4):415-20. Croatian. PMID: 11831124.
Renström P, Johnson RJ. Overuse injuries in sports. A review. Sports Med. 1985 Sep-Oct;2(5):316-33. doi: 10.2165/00007256-198502050-00002. PMID: 3901173.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Ring D, Guss D, Malhotra L, Jupiter JB. Idiopathic arm pain. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004 Jul;86(7):1387-91. doi: 10.2106/00004623-200407000-00005. PMID: 15252084.
https://journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/Abstract/2004/07000/Idiopathic_Arm_Pain.5.aspxElbow and arm pain
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/elbow-and-arm-pain/