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Bone & Muscle Problems
Arm & Hand Pain
Signs & Symptoms
• Pain ranging from dull to severe. Increased pain with movement.
• Numbness. Weakness. Tenderness.
• Stiffness. Swelling.
Causes
There are many causes of arm and/or hand pain. Common causes are:
• Arthritis. Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Circulation problems, such as angina and a heart attack
• Skin rashes. Skin wounds. Infections.
• Injuries, such as sprains, strains, and broken or dislocated bones
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the problem is.
Questions to Ask
Question
01
Are any signs and symptoms of a heart attack present?
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
02
If you have been diagnosed with angina, do you have aching in one or both arms and chest pain that do not respond to prescribed medicine? Or does the pain not go away in 10-15 minutes?
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
03
Did you have a serious injury that caused arm or hand pain and/ or are any of these signs present?
• A bone sticks out or bones in the injured area make a grinding sound. The injured body part looks crooked or the wrong shape.
• After a crushing injury, pain increases. You can’t move the injured body part or put weight on it.
• The injured area is blue, pale, numb, or feels cool, but the same limb on the other side of your body does not.
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
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Question
04
Do you have any of these problems?
• Burning pain in a finger, especially at night and/or when you bend your wrist and fingers upward then downward
• Shooting pains from your hand to your wrist.
• Numbness and tingling in your first 3 fingers and thumb
• Hand pain, numbness, and tingling for more than 2 weeks
• You haven’t been able to make a fist for over a week.
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
05
Do you have any of these problems?
• Your shoulder hurts, is stiff, and is hard to move. You have pain, tenderness, and limited motion in your shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Tenderness and pain over an elbow
• Pain when you twist your arm or hand
• A weak grip
• Any sign of an infection?
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
06
Do you have pain and stiffness in joints with these problems in your fingers?
• Puffiness, hardening, and thickening of the skin
• Your skin looks shiny or waxy or blue in color.
• Coldness and numbness
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
07
Do you have any of these problems?
• A growth on your wrist that feels tight, hard, and painful
• Your hands turn pale, then red, and get painful and numb when exposed to the cold and/or when you are stressed.
• Pain in your arm or hand wakes you from your sleep.
You should be seen by your doctor for medical advice. Contact your doctor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
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Question
08
Have you started to have a hard time writing with a pen or pencil, opening a jar, or buttoning a blouse or shirt?
Call your doctor or health care provider and state the problem. He or she can decide what you should do.
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Self-Care
To Help Treat Arthritis
• Follow your doctor’s advice for exercise, medications, and the use of supplements, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and flaxseed oil.
• Follow a healthy diet. If you are overweight, lose weight gradually (1-2 pounds a week). Losing weight too fast and fasting raise uric acid levels and increase the risk for gout.
• Protect your joints from injuries. Wear knee pads, etc.
• Don’t put too much stress on your joints. Take regular pauses and breaks from activities that do this.
To Help Prevent Osteoarthritis
• Get to and stay at a healthy weight.
• Do regular physical activity, but don’t overdo it. If you feel pain, stop.
• Prevent falls and sports injuries.
For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
This is much easier to treat and less likely to cause future problems if it is found early. Once CTS is diagnosed, treatment includes:
• Preventing further damage
• Wearing a wrist brace, splint, etc. as advised by your doctor. This may need to be worn during the day and while you sleep.
• Taking OTC medicines to reduce pain and swelling.
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Cortisone shots in the wrist area
• Surgery, if needed
Resources
Arthritis Foundation
800.283.7800
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
877.22.NIAMS (226.4267)
Download an offline pdf file.
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