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What are the Most Common Causes of Left Arm Pain?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

The most common causes of left arm pain are a broken bone and sprain or strain. Carpal tunnel syndrome and a heart attack can also cause left arm pain. These causes affect millions of people around the world, and some are more treatable than others. When experiencing left arm pain, it is important to keep in mind that the pain can originate from elsewhere, such as the wrist or chest, so there might not be a problem with the arm at all. For example, the arm might hurt if the wrist or hand is damaged in some way or if a person is having a heart attack.

A broken left arm normally causes the injured person severe pain initially, but this pain usually subsides as the repair process progresses. Broken wrists and hands can also cause the injured person pain in an arm. Bruising, swelling, and tenderness are classic symptoms of a broken bone, and a doctor should be consulted in order to set the bone, if necessary, and ensure it is healing properly. A sling or splint might be prescribed to help the bone stay in place while mending. Strains or sprains in the left arm, wrist, or hand can also be to blame for left arm pain in much the same way as a broken left arm.

A broken left arm normally causes the injured person severe pain initially, but this pain usually subsides as the repair process progresses.
A broken left arm normally causes the injured person severe pain initially, but this pain usually subsides as the repair process progresses.

During a heart attack, a great deal of pain may be felt in the left arm. While the chest is the primary location where severe pain will be felt during a heart attack, the pain is often reported to radiate out into the shoulder and left arm. As the heart is located on the left side of the chest, it is not typical for pain to radiate all the way to the right shoulder and arm.

During a heart attack, a great deal of pain may be felt in the left arm.
During a heart attack, a great deal of pain may be felt in the left arm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that is caused by compression of a nerve in the wrist. One of the possible symptoms of this condition is arm pain, and it is often accompanied by burning and tingling sensations. Some experts suspect that this condition is caused by repetitive stress, and some have found that there is a link between the condition and repetitive work such as keyboard use. Treatments for this condition include major actions such as surgery and pain medication, as well as therapeutic stretching wrist braces that keep the wrist from bending. Symptoms do not only present in the arms, and typically include fingers, wrists, and other parts of the hand.

Discussion Comments

turquoise

I think arm pain because of an injury is very common. It's always a good idea to think about whether a new kind of movement or exercise was done recently.

I started a new type of exercise using the arms last week. I must have done something wrong with my left arm during the exercise because it started paining. Initially, I couldn't understand why it hurt. Then I realized that it must be the new exercise. I stopped the exercise for a few days and rested and the pain went away.

donasmrs

@ddljohn-- You've asked a very important question. This is actually difficult to answer because different people may experience slightly different symptoms and degrees of pain when having a heart attack. Pain in the left arm is one of the prominent symptoms of a heart attack. It can be an intense pain or a milder pain. Sometimes it may just be a discomfort.

If left arm pain is accompanied by chest discomfort or pain, then there is a greater likelihood that it's a heart attack. But keep in mind that chest pain may not always occur. The heart can also feel like there is pressure on it or it may feel like someone is squeezing it. The pain may travel or may occur simultaneously in the neck, shoulders and jaw.

Arm pain, accompanied by arm numbness and weakness, difficulty speaking are symptoms of a stroke.

ddljohn

How do I differentiate between left arm pain caused by a heart attack and left arm pain caused by an arm injury? Are there any signs that can help me differentiate between the two?

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    • A broken left arm normally causes the injured person severe pain initially, but this pain usually subsides as the repair process progresses.
      By: Leo Lintang
      A broken left arm normally causes the injured person severe pain initially, but this pain usually subsides as the repair process progresses.
    • During a heart attack, a great deal of pain may be felt in the left arm.
      By: Dan Kosmayer
      During a heart attack, a great deal of pain may be felt in the left arm.
    • Typing on a keyboard can be hard on the wrists, possibly aggravating carpal tunnel problems.
      By: StockPhotosArt
      Typing on a keyboard can be hard on the wrists, possibly aggravating carpal tunnel problems.
    • A broken arm can cause severe pain, and can be diagnosed with a simple x-ray.
      By: Silvia Crisman
      A broken arm can cause severe pain, and can be diagnosed with a simple x-ray.
    • Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand pain.
      By: nebari
      Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand pain.