Arm Numbness
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Reviewed By:
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.
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People with these symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
I have numbness in my right arm
Pricking and tingling numbness in the hands when twisting my neck
Pins and needles after sleeping in an awkward position
Numbness from the shoulder to the elbow
Numbness from elbow to wrist
I have numbness in my left arm
Numbness in the hands if I turn to look left or right
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
It describes a loss of sensation or feeling from the shoulder to the hand.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Numb arm
Possible causes
- Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by nerve damage or a problem with the nervous system. it's characterized by burning, tingling, sharp, or stabbing pain (even if touched gently) which can be continuous or intermittent (comes and goes) and worse at rest or night. Common causes of neuropathic pain include viral infections, cancer, vascular malformations, alcoholism, diabetes nerve pressure or nerve damage after surgery or trauma, neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
- Chronic pain
Pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. This type of pain can continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed or gone away. It interferes with daily life and can lead to depression and anxiety.
- Diabetic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occurs in those with long-term diabetes. High blood sugar can damage nerves throughout the body, most commonly in the legs and feet.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Cervical spondylosis
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)
- Spinal cord tumor
Related serious diseases
- Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia occurs when the levels of calcium in the blood are too low. It’s often caused by abnormal levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or vitamin D in the body.
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypoglycemia
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have numbness in your arms?
Do you have numbness from your elbow to your wrist?
Do you have numbness from the shoulder to elbow?
Did you maintain a specific position which compressed your nerve(s)? An example would be sleeping on your arm, causing pins and needles.
Do you have numbness when you bend your neck?
Other Related Symptoms
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
Reviewed By:
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.
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan