What Casues Pain In Arm From Thumb To Shoulder?
Question: I have pain in my left arm starting at my thumb and going up to my shoulder , sometime sharp pain mostly in my thumb & wrist and , slight swelling above my elbow and in my thumb , what can this be ?
Brief Answer:
2 possibilities
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have read your query
There are 2 main possibilities-
1. a cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy. The nerves arise from the spine through small gaps in the vertebral bones (back bones). These gaps are affected and the nerves are therefore affected. This may cause radiatng pain (thumb to neck).
2. A nerve compression at the elbow due to the swelling - something like tennis elbow or golfers elbow.
For the former, we need to test an x ray cervical spine. And for the latter we need NCV of the affected limb. I therefore suggest these two tests to you
Best of luck
Dr Mittal
2 possibilities
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have read your query
There are 2 main possibilities-
1. a cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy. The nerves arise from the spine through small gaps in the vertebral bones (back bones). These gaps are affected and the nerves are therefore affected. This may cause radiatng pain (thumb to neck).
2. A nerve compression at the elbow due to the swelling - something like tennis elbow or golfers elbow.
For the former, we need to test an x ray cervical spine. And for the latter we need NCV of the affected limb. I therefore suggest these two tests to you
Best of luck
Dr Mittal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar