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What Causes Pain And Weakness In Right Arm?
Question: I have been dealing with a mysterious pain in the right arm since winter 2010. It started in the wrist, which became so weak like I was going to drop whatever I was holding. I couldn’t lift anything but the pain wasn’t strong or consistent. I’m a tennis player but that time I was not playing and I stayed about 3 months without playing. As it wasn’t very painful, I didn’t see a Doctor. Days after days, the pain (very difficult to describe whether it is muscles, bones or nerves pain) moved slowly from the wrist to the forearm (inside), upper arm, now it has reached the biceps and the shoulder. Again, it doesn’t hurt much even when I put pressure on the lacation of pain; actually I feel more weakness than pain. I still play tennis regularly using arms support bands. The arm is weak and a bit painful before warm up, and then I play normally. I intend to see a Doctor in late February but I need your advice on what it could be.
Brief Answer:
It could be cervical disc or joint disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Weakness and pain located only in one arm has more probably a neurological cause than a muscular cause.
This neurological cause could be related to compression of arm supplying nerves from the spine down their way.
These conditions include cervical herniated disc disease, cervical arthritis or joint disease and compression peripheral neuropathy ( compression of peripheral nerves of arm along their way between muscles and bones).
In my opinion you should discuss with your consultant Doctor the possibility of a cervical MRI imaging and arm nerves conduction study ( EMG) in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
It could be cervical disc or joint disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Weakness and pain located only in one arm has more probably a neurological cause than a muscular cause.
This neurological cause could be related to compression of arm supplying nerves from the spine down their way.
These conditions include cervical herniated disc disease, cervical arthritis or joint disease and compression peripheral neuropathy ( compression of peripheral nerves of arm along their way between muscles and bones).
In my opinion you should discuss with your consultant Doctor the possibility of a cervical MRI imaging and arm nerves conduction study ( EMG) in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Dr. Spaho,
I also suspected cervical disc but note that I Have no pain in the hands and my arm works normally. However, I also have arthritis in both knees and pain in lower back since 2001. An X-ray performed in 2001 revealed the presence of degenerating disc in the lower back. Perhaps you may refine your analysis with this supplement of information. How do you interpret this pain moving from the lower arm to the shoulder? Note that the pain stays at the same point and then moves a few centimeters after a long time; never comes back at the lower side. Now that it almost reached the shoulder, what can likely be the next position?
Thanks.
I also suspected cervical disc but note that I Have no pain in the hands and my arm works normally. However, I also have arthritis in both knees and pain in lower back since 2001. An X-ray performed in 2001 revealed the presence of degenerating disc in the lower back. Perhaps you may refine your analysis with this supplement of information. How do you interpret this pain moving from the lower arm to the shoulder? Note that the pain stays at the same point and then moves a few centimeters after a long time; never comes back at the lower side. Now that it almost reached the shoulder, what can likely be the next position?
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Most probably cervical spondyloarthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, and thanks for asking me back.
After this new information, I think more of cervical column arthritis.
This possibility is supported by improvement of symptoms after physical activity or " warming up".
Pain, even moderate, moving up your arm shows that other adjacent cervical levels and nerves are affected too and next stop after shoulders should be your neck.
Hope I helped you understand better your condition.
Wishing you good health.
Most probably cervical spondyloarthritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, and thanks for asking me back.
After this new information, I think more of cervical column arthritis.
This possibility is supported by improvement of symptoms after physical activity or " warming up".
Pain, even moderate, moving up your arm shows that other adjacent cervical levels and nerves are affected too and next stop after shoulders should be your neck.
Hope I helped you understand better your condition.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Dr. Spaho,
I'll see a doctor to perform all the exams.
My last questions:
1. what do you think could be the treatment?
2. Do I have to stop playing tennis?
Again, thank you very much and best regards.
Gaston.
I'll see a doctor to perform all the exams.
My last questions:
1. what do you think could be the treatment?
2. Do I have to stop playing tennis?
Again, thank you very much and best regards.
Gaston.
Brief Answer:
Physical therapy and NSAID could be the treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Gaston.
Therapy should be started after test results and clinical/ neurological examination.
I think physical therapy and NSAID drugs should help improve your symptoms.
About playing tennis, in general there is no need to stop it ( it is a sort of physical therapy), but this should decided after above mentioned tests.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Physical therapy and NSAID could be the treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again Gaston.
Therapy should be started after test results and clinical/ neurological examination.
I think physical therapy and NSAID drugs should help improve your symptoms.
About playing tennis, in general there is no need to stop it ( it is a sort of physical therapy), but this should decided after above mentioned tests.
Hope this helps. Best regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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