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What Causes Tenderness In Shoulder, Upper Arm And Elbow?

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Posted on Fri, 10 Apr 2015
Question: Hello,

I am calling my doctor tomorrow but kind of in panic mode now after meeting someone with bone cancer in the shoulder and wanted to describe my syptoms and get somw insight.
Since january i have had left hand, arm issues.
I do not get oain but more of a tenderness feeling if thzt makes sense. Areas of complaint.
Left should , back of upper arm (bicep area but on the back) elbow, sometimes wrist top and bottom and sometimes my fingers are stiff feeling. This has gone on and off since january. When i first notices it it was left side outter thumb and saw a doctor and told me it was swollen tendons or something and i wore a splint. Sometimes its certain areas that i notice bother me and sometimes its elbow up to my shoulder. Its hard go describe because i wouldnt say i was in pain but more dulle (like a 1-2) in pain reference. I do see my doctor very regulary do to my anxiety and i am pretty recent on my physical.

Please give me some insight on this please or if it resembles bone cancer :(
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I will advise you to MRI cervical spine for better diagnosis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case.
Due to compression of cervical nerve root there can be symptoms in your arm and fingers, pain can be associated with it.
I will advise you to MRI cervical spine for better diagnosis.

Many of my patients get relief with neurotropic medication like Gabapentin and methylcobalamine.You can start them consulting your doctor.
Till time, avoid lifting weights, Sit with support to neck. You can consult physiotherapist for help.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief.
I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

Regarding possibility of cancer you may need blood investigation and if abnormality detected than PET scan will help for early diagnosis.
Possibility of cancer is less likely in absence of other constitutional symptoms.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. If you are satisfied with answer do not hesitate to rate this answer at end of discussion.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (5 minutes later)
Thank you for your response- wirh cancer does one typically have more pain or what other constitutional symptoms? Sorry i am just very worried. Also- when i stretch it or use it, it typically does not bother me.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Painful cancer include bone cancer,nerve sheath tumor,vascular tumor.

Constitutional symptoms include-anorexia,weight loss,chronic fever,chronic cough.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (7 minutes later)
Hello,thabk you for your response again. That makes me feel a little better with put those additional symptoms. I am praying it is npthing serious. Anytime i get a symptom and i search it Dr.google says its cancer :(
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (25 hours later)
Brief Answer:
WELCOME

Detailed Answer:
HELLO AGAIN,

Now do not google you can ask me and avoid unnecessary trouble.

Take care
Regards DR XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (5 minutes later)
I went to the soctor yesterday
We felt my arms did for swelling
Did arm movements
Made me swueeze her hands
No fever abd blood pressure was normal
She said its a tendon issue and gave me exercises and one of the papers said phromboid (spelling) muscle issue
Does this sound rifgt to you? I did the stretches last noght for a while and the muscle is sore today
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Muscle/tendon soreness should have prior history of injury or strain.

If there is such history then it can be right.

Sudden onset without prior history needs investigation.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (3 minutes later)
She said because i Had splint on my wrist due to it probably cause issues up my whole armde quervain
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Splint may not lead to swelling.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Splint may not lead to swelling.

Physiotherapy like ultrasound and TENS may help to relieve early.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 5164 Questions

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What Causes Tenderness In Shoulder, Upper Arm And Elbow?

Brief Answer: I will advise you to MRI cervical spine for better diagnosis. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. Due to compression of cervical nerve root there can be symptoms in your arm and fingers, pain can be associated with it. I will advise you to MRI cervical spine for better diagnosis. Many of my patients get relief with neurotropic medication like Gabapentin and methylcobalamine.You can start them consulting your doctor. Till time, avoid lifting weights, Sit with support to neck. You can consult physiotherapist for help. Physiotherapy like ultrasound and interferential therapy will give quick relief. I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level. Regarding possibility of cancer you may need blood investigation and if abnormality detected than PET scan will help for early diagnosis. Possibility of cancer is less likely in absence of other constitutional symptoms. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. If you are satisfied with answer do not hesitate to rate this answer at end of discussion. Wishing you good health. Take care.