Arm Paralysis
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Worried about your symptoms?
Choose one to start our AI Symptom Checker.
It will help us optimize further questions for you.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Can't bring my hands over my head due to weakness
Elbow feels weak
Difficulty cupping the hands together to scoop water
Can't reach for things on the cupboards above my head
Difficulty with using hands to scoop water
Difficulty raising arms over the head
Feels weak when I scoop water with my hands
Getting more and more difficult to open jars or bottle caps
No strength to untwist bottle caps
No strength to open bottles
Can't exert force when bending my elbow
Can't reach upwards (over my head)
Find another symptom
Search for another symptom
How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are 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.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Can't straighten the elbow well due to lack of strength
- Can't straighten my wrist well due to lack of strength
- Hands lack the strength to twist open jars or bottle caps
- Can't bend the elbow well due to lack of strength
- Can't bend my wrist well due to lack of strength
- Hands are too weak to open jars or bottle caps
- Can't exert force when straightening my elbow
- No strength to raise the hands over the head
- No strength to straighten my wrist
- Can't scoop water with my hands like usual
- Arms are too weak to raise above my head
- Wrist movements are getting weaker
- Too weak to lift my hands over my head
- No strength to straighten the elbow
- Straightening the hand feels weak
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizDoctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Is either hand/arm weak?
- Is bending or straightening your wrist difficult due to weakness?
- Do you struggle to open jars or bottle caps due to weak hands?
- Has it become harder to scoop water with your hands recently?
- Is it hard to raise your arms above your head?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFind Similar Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from similar body parts
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
References
Feng JT, Xu WD. Contralateral Cervical Nerve Transfer for Arm Paralysis. N Engl J Med. 2018 Apr 12;378(15):1460-1461. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1801458. PMID: 29641965.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMc1801458
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
User testimonials
This symptom checker site is a great resource to either get an idea of what is happening inside your body or even get a second opinion without incurring another huge bill. It also provides a way to connect with a professional if needed. I really enjoy this site.
Aug 30, 2024 (Female, 40s)
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizUbie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)