What are common rotator cuff symptoms? What is the best treatment for a rotator cuff injury? Discover expert relief for all your extremities at Mount Sinai.

Common Rotator Cuff Symptoms

Your shoulder is a complex joint made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). Surrounding this ball-and-socket joint is a group of muscles and tendons known as the rotator cuff. While we may not think about the rotator cuff when everything is working properly, any inflammation or partial/full tear can make daily activities extremely painful.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may include:

• Pain or tenderness when reaching overhead
• Pain or tenderness when the arm is at rest
• Pain that radiates down the arm
• Arm and hand weakness
• Inability to lift or rotate the arm
• Trouble reaching behind the back
• Popping or cracking sensation
• Shoulder locking into place
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
• Progressive weakness of the shoulder

Can a rotator cuff injury cause pain in your arm and hand too? Yes, typically the pain starts as a dull ache in the shoulder, but as the injury progresses, it can cause radiating pain down the arm and into the hands. This can lead to a complete inability to raise the affected arm.

Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by a specific incident, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, a sudden jerking motion, or lifting something too heavy. This is why rotator cuff problems are common among athletes (baseball, football, weightlifting, etc.) and people whose jobs involve repetitive arm movements, like construction, painting, carpentry, and decorating.

However, more often than not, rotator cuff injuries develop over time due to the natural wear and tear of the tendons, especially in the dominant arm. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that rates of rotator cuff tears can be as high as 80% in patients over 80 years old.

Best Treatments for Rotator Cuff Injuries

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, it’s possible for a rotator cuff injury to heal on its own with a few weeks or months of rest. Beyond that, there are several treatment options that can help manage pain and improve your ability to perform routine activities:

Medications

Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce inflammation, while steroids and other medications may be used in severe cases.

Stretching and Physical Therapy

A consistent routine of stretching exercises combined with physical therapy can improve flexibility, restore muscle strength, and enhance physical function.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged joints and tendons, allowing patients to live a more pain-free life.

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history, any past injuries, and current symptoms to determine the best treatment option for your specific rotator cuff injury.

Expert Relief for All Your Extremities

While a rotator cuff injury may seem like it’s more common among athletes and those who’ve experienced a significant shoulder injury, the truth is that almost 2 million people in the United States visit their doctors each year due to rotator cuff problems. These individuals come from all walks of life.

The good news is that the experts at Mount Sinai’s Hand Center regularly see and successfully treat patients with rotator cuff injuries. If you’re searching for an orthopedic doctor in New York City to address your arm and hand pain, don’t hesitate to request an appointment with our board-certified specialists.

FAQs

Can a rotator cuff injury cause pain in my arm and hand?

Yes, a rotator cuff injury can definitely cause pain that radiates down the arm and into the hand. Typically, the pain starts as a dull ache in the shoulder, but as the injury progresses, it can cause radiating pain down the arm and into the hands, potentially leading to a complete inability to raise the affected arm.

What are the common causes of rotator cuff injuries?

Rotator cuff injuries can be caused by a specific incident, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, a sudden jerking motion, or lifting something too heavy. This is why rotator cuff problems are common among athletes and those whose jobs involve repetitive arm movements. However, more often than not, rotator cuff injuries develop over time due to the natural wear and tear of the tendons, especially in the dominant arm.

What are the best treatments for a rotator cuff injury?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, a rotator cuff injury may heal on its own with rest. Beyond that, common treatment options include prescription anti-inflammatory medications, a routine of stretching exercises and physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery to repair damaged joints and tendons.

Rotator Cuff Injury Arm & Hand Pain

Table Of Contents

1. What Are Common Rotator Cuff Symptoms?
2. What Is the Best Treatment for a Rotator Cuff Injury?

• 1. Medications
• 2. Stretching and physical therapy
• 3. Surgery

It is easy to assume a rotator cuff injury is more common among athletes and people who get a significant shoulder injury. But the truth is almost 2 million people in the United States visit their doctors because of rotator cuff problems. These people come from all walks of life. At first, the pain might not be severe. Eventually, it can cause pain in your shoulder and arm, leading to your wrist and hand. It can impact daily activities such as reaching into the closet or combing your hair.

Yes, a rotator cuff injury can happen to anyone and tends to develop over time. The good news is that our experts at Fort Worth Hand Center can help. We see and successfully treat patients with rotator cuff injuries regularly.

Searching for an orthopedic doctor in Fort Worth?

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What Are Common Rotator Cuff Symptoms?

First things first: what is a rotator cuff? Your shoulder is made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone). Your shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. What keeps it neatly tucked away in your shoulder socket is a group of muscles and tendons known as the rotator cuff.

We don’t think about our rotator cuff when everything is working as it should. But any inflammation or partial or full tear can make performing daily activities very painful.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury may include:

• Pain or tenderness when reaching overhead
• Pain or tenderness when the arm is at rest
• Pain that radiates down the arm
• Arm and hand weakness
• An inability to lift or rotate the arm
• Trouble reaching behind the back
• Popping or cracking sensation
• Shoulder locking into place
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
• Progressive weakness of the shoulder

Can a rotator cuff injury cause pain in your arm and hand, too? Yes. Typically, the pain starts as a dull aching pain in your shoulder. As the injury progresses, it can cause radiating pain down the arm and into your hands. As a result, a person can lose the ability to raise their arm at all.

Have questions about your rotator cuff injury?

Call 817-877-3277 to schedule a consultation with Fort Worth Hand Center’s expert physicians.

Call 817-877-3277

A rotator cuff injury can be because of a specific injury. For example, falling on an outstretched arm, a sudden jerking motion, or lifting something too heavy. As a result, rotator cuff problems are common among athletes (baseball, football, weightlifting, etc.) and people whose jobs involve working with their hands and repetitive arm movements. A few of those occupations include construction, painting, carpentry, and decorating.

In addition, it is important to remember that our tendons naturally wear down as we age, especially in our dominant arm. According to the National Institutes of Health, rates of rotator cuff tears are as high as 80% in patients over 80.

While specific activities or accidents can lead to a sudden rotator cuff injury, more often than not, patients experiencing problems can’t point to a specific reason other than normal wear and tear of the body.

What Is the Best Treatment for a Rotator Cuff Injury?

Depending on the reason for the injury and the severity of your symptoms, it is possible for your rotator cuff injury to heal on its own with a few weeks or months of rest. Beyond that, there are a variety of treatment options that will help manage your pain and improve your ability to perform routine activities. A Texas orthopedic doctor can help determine which one is best for you.

1. Medications

• These can be prescribed along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to keep inflammation low. Steroids and other medicine may be prescribed in severe cases.

2. Stretching and physical therapy

• A steady routine of stretching exercises combined with physical therapy can improve flexibility, restore muscle strength, and improve physical function.

3. Surgery

• In some cases, you and your doctor may decide on surgery. Rotator cuff surgery has been known to repair damaged joints and tendons and give patients the ability to live their life as pain-free as possible.

Your doctor will want to know your medical history, including any past injuries to the affected area, and symptoms to determine the best treatment option for your specific rotator cuff injury.

An exam of your condition can include:

1. Touching the shoulder area to check on tenderness or if there are any noticeable deformities.
2. Ask you to move your arm in several directions to measure range of motion.
3. Examining your neck to rule out any pinched nerves or other conditions such as arthritis.
4. Order X-rays or an MRI to locate any potential bone spurs and show the condition of the rotator cuff muscles.

Expert Relief for All Your Extremities

Is extremity pain, including rotator cuff injuries, affecting your quality of life or the life of someone you care about? If you or a loved one is experiencing pain, numbness, or other problems with the function of hands or upper extremity, please contact us.

Fort Worth Hand Center provides unparalleled care to every individual. Request an appointment from the best orthopedic surgeons in Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth Hand Center is Fort Worth’s first and most experienced multiple orthopedic surgeon practice. We have been serving the North Texas area for over 45 years. To learn more or to schedule, call 817-877-3277, or complete the form below.

Fort Worth Hand Center serves the DFW area including Mansfield, Newark, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, White Settlement, Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Euless, Everman, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, and all of North Texas.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.

Arm Pain at Night: Causes & Treatments

Arm pain at night can be miserable.  The pain can interrupt your sleep and erode your quality of life. Irritability becomes increasingly more common.  What are the causes?  When should I worry about it?  What are the treatment options for arm pain at night?  Let’s dig in.

What Causes Arm Pain at Night?

There are many causes of arm pain at night.  The most common causes are:

Cervical Disc Problems

The neck is composed of 7 boney building blocks numbered 1- 7.  Sandwiched between the bones is a disc that functions as an important shock absorber.  The cervical discs are susceptible to injury due to trauma, degeneration, repetitive motion, and surgery(1).  Common disc injuries include disc bulges, and herniations.  The injured disc can compress or irritate one or more nerves resulting in arm pain at night.   It can feel like pressure in the muscles like a blood pressure cuff.  Alternatively, there can be numbness, tingling, or electrical sensations down your arm. Arm pain at night is a warning signal that warrants your attention.

Cervical Stenosis

The spinal cord extends the entire length of the spine.  The spinal canal is a hollow passage formed by neck bones and spinal fluid.  The spinal cord travels the length of the spine within the spinal canal.  If the canal is narrowing at any point the spinal cord and exiting nerve roots can be compressed.  Narrowing of the spinal canal is called stenosis.  It can be caused by trauma, instability, disc protrusion, facet joint overgrowth, and thickening of spinal ligaments (2).  Compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots can cause arm pain.

Rotator Cuff Injury

The Rotator Cuff is a group of 4 tendons that provide support and stability to the shoulder.   A tendon is a band of connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. The Rotator Cuff tendons are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor tendons.  The Rotator Cuff is susceptible to injury as a result of trauma, overuse, impingement, and degeneration (3).    Risk factors for a Rotator Cuff tear include advancing age, female gender, smoking  and poor posture (4).  A Rotator Cuff injury can cause arm and/or shoulder pain at night.

Bursitis

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that allows tendons and muscles to smoothly slide over boney surfaces.  There are multiple bursae in the shoulder and elbow that can become inflamed or irritated.  Sleeping on your side can increase in the pressure on the bursae resulting in throbbing arm pain at night.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) 

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a group of disorders that involve the compression and irritation of the nerves, arteries, and veins in the lower neck and chest.  Pain is a major symptom and can be intermittent or constant and varies in severity and quality.   The pain can involve the lower neck, collar bone, arm, and hand.  Numbness in the hand is common.  Symptoms are typically worsened with lifting the arm overhead.

Referred Pain 

Referred pain is pain that is perceived or felt in an area that is different in the location from where the actual tissue injury occurs.  A classic example is a heart attack.  The actual tissue injury is in the heart muscle. The pain from a heart attack however is oftentimes is referred or felt in the arm.   Arm pain at night can be referred pain and if it is persistent warrants evaluation.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are where your own immune system attacks itself.  Common examples include Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus.  Pain is common and can occur at night.

Deep Dive Into the Conditions Cause Pain in Arms at Night

AC Joint Impingement

AC joint Impingement is a painful condition that occurs when the space beneath the acromion bone is narrowed.    This narrowing can result in irritation of the rotator cuff tendons and bursa.  A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces the friction on tendons and muscles as they cross bony surfaces.  A tendon is thick collagen tissue that connects muscles to bones.  The rotator cuff tendons provide important support and enable movement in the shoulder.   If severe,  impingement can cause tears in the rotator cuff tendons.  Patients with AC joint impingement typically have pain with elevation of the arm and or while lying on the shoulder.

Read More About AC Joint Impingement

Cervical Radiculopathy

Common Cervical Radiculopathy symptoms include neck pain, arm pain, shoulder pain radiating down arm to fingers, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Cervical Radiculopathy is a clinical condition in which a nerve or nerves in your neck become irritated or compressed. It is also known as ” a pinched nerve,” The causes are discussed below. It can affect individuals of any age with peak prominence between ages 40-50 years of age. Cervical Radiculopathy is due to spinal nerve inflammation, irritation, or compression. The most common causes of Cervical Radiculopathy are: Disc Injury – The disc is an important shock absorber. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to injury.

Read More About Cervical Radiculopathy

Craniocervical Instability

Craniocervical Instability is a medical condition characterized by injury and instability of the ligaments that hold your head onto the neck. Common symptoms of Cranial Cervical Instability include a painful, heavy head, headache, rapid heart rate, brain fog, neck pain, visual problems, dizziness, and chronic fatigue.CCI or neck ligament laxity treatment options depend upon the severity of the instability and clinical symptoms. When appropriate, conservative care should always be the first-line treatment.
Craniocervical Instability Surgery is often recommended when conservative care fails. This involves a fusion of the head to the neck which is a major surgery that is associated with significant risks and complications…

Read More About Craniocervical Instability

Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful loss of shoulder movement and range in motion.   The incidence of frozen shoulder is 3-5% in the general population and up to 20% in those with diabetes.  The peak incidence is between 40-60 years of age.  The exact mechanism is poorly understood.  In general, the capsule becomes inflamed, thickened, and contracted with pain and significant restriction in range of motion. causes are poorly understood but risk factors include trauma, prolonged immobility, systematic diseases such as diabetes, stroke, connective tissue disease, and heart disease.  Other causes include post-surgery, chronic inflammation causing stimulation of myofibroblasts

Read More About Frozen Shoulder

Lateral Epicondylitis / Tennis Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis otherwise known as tennis elbow is an overuse injury involving the extensor muscles that originate on the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the outside (lateral) aspect of the elbow. It is more properly termed tendinosis that specifically involves the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. In a study, Nirschl and Pettrone attributed the cause of lateral epicondylitis to be tearing in the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle (1).
The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle originates from the lateral epicondyle. It functions to move the wrist so that the hand moves away from the palm and towards the thumb.

Read More About Lateral Epicondylitis / Tennis Elbow

Medial Epicondylitis / Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow involves tears in the ulnar collateral ligament and pain or soreness on the inside of the elbow. The bony bump you feel there is the medial epicondyle of the humerus (upper arm bone). There are five forearm muscles that attach at this point, all of which are involved in helping to flex or rotate the forearm and wrist. Pain can get worse when you throw a ball, grip a dumbbell, turn a screwdriver, and other movements that involve the fingers, hand, wrist, and/or elbow. Tennis elbow is similar, however, it refers to the outside of the elbow, at the lateral epicondyle.

Read More About Medial Epicondylitis / Golfer’s Elbow

Rotator Cuff Tear

Are you plagued by shoulder pain that has now transitioned from intermittent to constant and keeps you up at night? Are daily shoulder movements, such as dressing and reaching for objects in the kitchen cabinets, painful? Is your range of motion decreasing as your pain is increasing? You may have a full- or partial-thickness rotator cuff tear. Has conservative therapy in the form of heat, ice, stretching, rest, and acupuncture failed to provide significant relief? Has an MRI demonstrated a full-thickness or partial-thickness tear of the rotator cuff? What to do? If left untreated, full-thickness and 26% of partial-thickness tears will progress.

Read More About Rotator Cuff Tear

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Pain is the most common symptom.  It typically occurs with the elevation of the arm, forced movement overhead, and when lying on the shoulder.  Impingement can also cause shoulder pain when reaching across the body. Narrowing of the subacromial space is the most common cause of shoulder impingement syndrome (6).  The subacromial space is the area between the top of the arm bone (humerus) and the AC joint.   This narrowing compresses or pinches the rotator cuff tendons and bursa.  If left untreated the rotator cuff tendons can become inflamed, damaged, and or torn.Bursa and tendons can not be seen on x-ray.  An x-ray may demonstrate…

Read More About Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder Labral Tears

The labrum is a cartilaginous cup that circles the shallow shoulder socket (the glenoid) to make the socket deeper. The labrum supports and stabilizes the shoulder joint. Causes of Shoulder Labral Tears
Injury to the labrum typically occurs from repetitive trauma in overhead throwers, such as in baseball. It can also occur from a traction injury to the arm, such as lifting a heavy object off the ground or getting your arm jerked. Symptoms of Shoulder Labral Tears. Typical symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder or deep inside the joint. Treatment options initially include physical therapy which is designed to restore range of motion and strength to the shoulder.

Read More About Shoulder Labral Tears

Slipping Rib Syndrome

Slipping Rib Syndrome can be incredibly painful and is often misdiagnosed. It is also known as rib dislocation, rib subluxation, Tietze syndrome, Davies–Colley’s syndrome, rib-tip syndrome, painful rib syndrome, costochondral separation, and clicking or moving rib syndrome. It is very common for athletes involved in contact sports to get a slipped rib. Trauma causes stretching and sometimes tearing of the ligament attachments of the rib, creating instability. We also see this in many of our motor vehicle accident patients, caused by the seat belt and/or airbag. Once damaged, it can take several weeks to resolve (4-12 weeks). After 3 months, if the rib continues to…

Read More About Slipping Rib Syndrome

Spinal Instability

Spinal instability is a condition that occurs when the spinal column is not able to maintain its normal alignment and function under normal loads. It can be caused by various factors such as trauma, degenerative changes, infections, tumors, or congenital abnormalities. In a stable spine, the bones, discs, ligaments, and muscles work together to support and protect the spinal cord and nerve roots. However, in an unstable spine, the structures that support the spine may be damaged or weakened. This can lead to abnormal movement and excessive stress on the spinal cord and nerves. In most cases, bone and joint problems…

Read More About Spinal Instability

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

The thoracic outlet is an area around the collar bone where the nerves that come from your neck meet up with the blood vessels from your heart and together supply the entire upper extremity (shoulder and arm). These blood vessels (subclavian artery and vein) and nerves (brachial plexus) travel from the base of your neck to your armpit (axilla) and are considered the “thoracic outlet”. Now that you know what the thoracic outlet is, what is thoracic outlet syndrome? Simply listening to a patient’s history and completing a physical examination is all that is needed to diagnose TOS. But more involved imaging such as X-rays…

Read More About Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Ulnar Neuropathy

Simply put, ulnar neuropathy refers to the compression or damage to the ulnar nerve in the arm. It affects up to 6% of the population, based on reports.The ulnar nerve is one of three main nerves in the arm that run from the shoulder to the hand and is responsible for providing sensation to the small and ring fingers and for controlling the movement of specific hand muscles. When the ulnar nerve is damaged or compressed, it can lead to a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the affected hand. The symptoms of ulnar neuropathy can…

Read More About Ulnar Neuropathy

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When Should I Worry about Arm Pain at Night?

If arm pain is infrequent and mild it most likely is a result of overactivity and does not warrant worry or evaluation.  Warning signs that are concerning include.

• Arm pain that progressed from intermittent to constant
• Increase in the severity of the pain
• Reduced range of motion
• Numbness and tingling
• Loss of muscle strength
• Shrinkage of the muscles (atrophy)

Treatment Options for Shoulder Pain

Identifying the underlying cause of the pain is key.   Conservative care in the form of physical therapy is always the best first line of treatment when possible.

Cervical disc injuries can be effectively treated with PRP or stem cells depending upon the severity of the injury.  PRP is rich in growth factors that can increase the blood flow in an area of tissue damage.  A patient’s own stem cells are powerful tools to accelerate healing and orchestrate healing.

Cervical stenosis can arise from different causes. X-ray-guided injections of PRP can reduce disc or facet swelling and tighten lax spinal ligaments thereby improving clinical symptoms. To learn more about spinal stenosis please click on the video below.

There are different types of Rotator Cuff tendon tears.    The three principal RC tears are partial-thickness tears, full-thickness tears, and full-thickness tears with retractions. PRP and a patient’s own stem cells can be injected directly into the tear under MSK ultrasound.  Our recent midterm analysis of a multi-year shoulder Rotator Cuff randomized controlled demonstrated exciting results. It demonstrated that precise injection of high dose bone marrow-derived stem cells into damaged Rotator Cuff tendons helped patients avoid surgery (5).

A common treatment for bursitis is the injection of steroids.  This should be avoided as the steroids are toxic.  Steroids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents but are also toxic to the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments (6).  PRP is an effective alternative to steroid injections as it promotes healing.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is often treated by surgery which is very invasive with poor long-term results.  At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, we examine the many causes of nerve, vein, and artery compression and provide the best regenerative option.   Orthobiologics are used instead of steroids.  Orthobiologics are biological substances naturally found in the body that are used to promote quicker healing of muscle, tendon, and bone injuries.  They have been reviewed in a previous blog. To better understand orthobiologics please click on the video below.

In Conclusion

Arm pain at night can erode one’s sleep and well-being.  There are many different causes of arm pain.  The most common include injuries of the cervical spine or Rotator Cuff, cervical stenosis, bursitis, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, referred pain, and autoimmune diseases.   

Arm pain at night is a warning signal that you have a problem that requires attention.  Warning signs that warrant evaluation include:

• an increase in the frequency or severity of pain,
• reduced range of motion,
• numbness and tingling,
• loss of muscle strength, and
• muscle atrophy.

Treatment starts with identifying the underlying cause of the arm pain.

The Centeno-Schultz Clinic physicians are experts in the management of many of the causes of arm pain.  While steroids should be avoided,  PRP and a  patient’s own stem cells are effective treatment options for cervical disc injuries, Rotator Cuff tears, mild to moderate forms of cervical stenosis, and bursitis.

Again, arm pain is a warning sign.  If left untreated, it can become a much larger problem, which includes muscle shrinkage, permanent nerve damage, massive Rotator Cuff tears, and impaired arm and hand function. 

👉 Schedule a telemedicine consult from home, where a board-certified physician will review your history, current imaging, and treatment to date.  Learn what is causing your arm pain at night and the best regenerative treatment option. It is time to stop the sleepless nights!

References

1. Peng B, DePalma MJ. Cervical disc degeneration and neck pain. J Pain Res. 2018;11:2853-2857. Published 2018 Nov 14. doi:10.2147/JPR.S180018

2.Meyer F, Börm W, Thomé C. Degenerative cervical spinal stenosis: current strategies in diagnosis and treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008;105(20):366-372. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2008.0366

3.Sambandam SN, Khanna V, Gul A, Mounasamy V. Rotator cuff tears: An evidence based approach. World J Orthop. 2015;6(11):902-918. Published 2015 Dec 18. doi:10.5312/wjo.v6.i11.902

4.Yamamoto A, Takagishi K, Kobayashi T, et al. The impact of faulty posture on rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015;24(3):446-452. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2014.07.012

5. Centeno CJ, Fausel Z, Stemper I, Azuiike U, Dodson E. A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tears with Bone Marrow Concentrate and Platelet Products Compared to Exercise Therapy: A Midterm Analysis. Stem Cells International. 2020 Jan; 2020. https://doi. org/10.1155/2020/5962354

6.Wernecke C, Braun HJ, Dragoo JL. The Effect of Intra-articular Corticosteroids on Articular Cartilage: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015;3(5):2325967115581163. Published 2015 Apr 27. doi:10.1177/2325967115581163

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What to do if your arm hurts [diagnosis, prevention, SWT]

If your arm hurts, it can be a sign of a variety of diseases. With pathologies of bones, joints and ligaments, a course of shock wave therapy will help to quickly and effectively solve your problem.

Pain in the hand always has a negative impact on our capabilities, limiting mobility and causing inconvenience. The main causes of pain in the arm can be:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• damage to the skin and soft tissues;
• excessive exercise;
• inflammatory diseases of the joints and tendons;
• dislocations, fissures, fractures, sprains;
• neurological diseases.

1. Additional symptoms for arm pain

2. Possible diseases that cause pain in the arm

3. Diagnosis of the causes of pain in the arm

4. Shock wave therapy for the treatment of pain in the arm

5. Prevention of pain in the arm

Additional symptoms of pain in the arm

Pain in the arm may be accompanied by such phenomena as:

• swelling;
• finger numbness and tingling sensation;
• fever;
• muscle weakness;
• redness of the skin.

Possible diseases that cause pain in the arm

Pain in the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints can occur due to arthrosis and arthritis. People who constantly work at the computer are often prone to the so-called carpal syndrome. The constant position of the hands slows down the blood supply, leads to inflammation of the tendons and pinching of the nerves. If you do not pay attention to pain and continue to work as usual, the inflow and outflow of lymph in the inflamed area will be disturbed, which will lead to swelling and increased pain. In advanced cases, changing position and kneading the hand no longer helps, inflammation develops according to its own laws, and the pain begins to intensify at night.

Pain in the fingers may be due to nodules in the tendons. When bending and unbending the sore fingers in this case, clicks can be heard. Also, pain in the joints of the fingers is observed with gouty arthritis.

Diagnosis of causes of pain in the hand

If you are experiencing pain in your hand for the first time and suspect that you have arthritis, arthrosis, carpal tunnel syndrome or other damage to the ligaments, joints or bones of the hand, you can seek advice from our medical center and, if necessary, receive a modern course of shock wave therapy (SWT), which will quickly relieve you of discomfort and return to your usual activity.

Shock wave therapy in the treatment of pain in the arm

The very first session of SWT will relieve swelling of the affected area and painful manifestations. A full course will save you from inflammation, stagnant processes, pathological thickening in the joints. The circulation of soft tissues adjacent to the affected joints is normalized.

Shockwave Therapy can help you with pain in your hand in the post-traumatic or post-operative period. If your arm was in a cast or Ilizarov apparatus, the restoration of its normal mobility is associated with a long and often painful course of physical therapy, which can be supplemented with shock wave therapy for better effect and pain relief.

Shock wave therapy is a good solution for sports medicine because it allows athletes to quickly return to their normal form and return to training and competition.

Hand pain prevention

To prevent future hand pain:

• maintain healthy physical activity;
• avoid cold joints;
• observe the regime of work and rest;
• watch your diet to avoid salt deposits.

Causes of pain in the left arm and tips to eliminate pain

• Pain in the left arm – a sign of illness?
• Causes of an unpleasant symptom
• In what cases do you need urgent medical care
• Eliminate pain in the arm

Is pain in the left arm a sign of illness?

One of the most important organs, the heart, is located on the left side of the body. For this reason, pain localized near this area always causes concern among doctors. Especially disturbing are the symptoms affecting the left hand. Soreness, discomfort and stiffness of the limb, as a rule, indicate the development of a serious pathology requiring urgent medical intervention.

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If such signs appear, you should contact a general practitioner, cardiologist or rheumatologist as soon as possible. The sooner the disease is detected, the greater the chance of a full recovery. Speaking specifically about diseases that provoke such manifestations, they include the following.

• Diabetes. Against the background of endocrine pathology, blood circulation is disturbed, as a result of which problems arise with individual organs. Necrotic processes in the extremities are a very serious complication of diabetes, which leads to their amputation. To avoid undesirable consequences, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first sign of soreness or numbness.
• Heart attack. In the acute stage of the disease, there is severe pain in the hand, followed by numbness of the ring finger or little finger. The condition requires urgent hospitalization, as there is a high risk of irreversible consequences, up to death.
• Stroke. According to external signs, the attack is similar to a heart attack: the victim’s little finger on the left hand goes numb, the mobility of the limb is impaired. To this is added imbalance, loss of the ability to speak. As in the previous case, a person needs urgent medical care.
• Angina. The disease is characterized by impaired local blood circulation. In addition to pain, a person feels periodic numbness in the hand, especially at night. Attacks are aggravated by lowering the air temperature.
• Arthritis. With this pathology, articular tissues are affected and dystrophic processes develop in them. The condition leads to stiffness of movement, swelling of the painful area and reddening of the skin over it. If left untreated, arthritis progresses, bringing a lot of inconvenience to a person and significantly reducing his quality of life, and often leading to disability.

Causes of an unpleasant symptom

Meanwhile, a painful condition is not always associated with systemic disorders of the body. In many cases, the cause of the problem lies in the influence of a secondary factor that simply needs to be recognized and eliminated in a timely manner.

• If your left arm hurts in the shoulder area after sleeping, there is no serious cause for concern. This happens when a person unconsciously assumes an uncomfortable posture during a night’s rest. In other words, you just rested your shoulder.
• Tension in muscles and ligaments results from increased physical activity performed the day before. As a rule, this is due to the growth of muscle tissue, although sometimes discomfort occurs against the background of a sports injury (for example, sprains).
• After prolonged exposure to cold, the extremities are the first to suffer. Due to exposure to low temperatures, blood flow slows down and mild numbness occurs. Then there is aching pain, localized mainly in the fingers.
• Disorders of the musculoskeletal system – an occupational ailment of people engaged in work that requires perseverance and constant stay in a practically immobilized position. Among them are computer scientists, seamstresses, etc. Most often, in this case, they complain of soreness in the shoulders, elbows, and hands.

When you need urgent medical attention

The best thing to do in this situation is to make an appointment with a doctor. Even if the symptom is caused by a banal physical overstrain, it is better to play it safe and get diagnosed by a rheumatologist or cardiologist. Often, diseases such as arthritis are latent for a long time, and they are detected during a preventive examination. However, in some cases, you can not wait a day or a minute, as delay can cost a person life. We are talking about attacks of heart attack and stroke, when the left hand goes numb and severe pain appears. If you see a victim with a suspicion of either of the two seizures, call an ambulance. Before the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to provide the patient with peace and the most comfortable position.

After the doctors have given first aid, the patient is sent to the intensive care unit. The clinic conducts laboratory tests and instrumental studies to clarify the diagnosis. As a rule, the full picture is clarified after evaluating the results of blood tests, as well as CT, MRI, ECG and ultrasound.

Eliminate pain in the hand

As already mentioned, when anxiety symptoms appear, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. You can start with a therapist. It is undesirable to self-medicate, since taking the wrong drugs will only worsen the condition and lead to complications. To correctly draw up a therapy plan, you need to find out the causes of the disturbing manifestation, and this requires a comprehensive diagnosis on an outpatient basis.