One of the most durable bone joints is the shoulder joint. Due to its structure, it can withstand fairly large loads and at the same time retain its functionality. But even he has a certain limit, upon reaching which inflammatory processes begin, as well as the subsequent destruction of bone and cartilage components. The fact that a certain process is developing that requires treatment can be reported by pain in the forearm in the hand.
What conditions cause pain?
Pain in the shoulder area can be divided into several types:
- Pain that occurs when exposed to the nerve endings on the shoulder or in the cervical spine. The main cause is osteochondrosis. With the development of this pathology, the outer walls in one of the cartilaginous discs that connect the vertebrae to each other are destroyed. ATAs a result, the nucleus protrudes and forms a hernia between the vertebrae. In this case, the roots of the nerves that come from the cervical spinal cord are compressed. Then there is a response of the body, that is, pain in the forearm of the right hand or left.
- With inflammation of the joint itself, for example, due to the deposition of calcium s alts in the tendons and muscle tissues of this bone and cartilage structure. Very often this happens already in old age, when the structural elements of the joint wear out. Subsequently, blood circulation and nutrition of muscles and tendons are disturbed. With the further development of the disease, small-scale destruction occurs with pathological calcification. The reasons for this phenomenon are not yet well understood.
- Disorders affecting the shoulder joint capsule or synovium, such as adhesive arthritis. In this case, in addition to the occurrence of pain in the forearm of the left hand, there is a violation of the motor ability of this articular joint. This pathology can manifest itself after an injury, with hormonal or endocrine diseases.
- Injury to both the joint and the surrounding muscles. The nature of the pain depends on how severe the injury is.
- The presence of a malignant tumor with localization in the structure of the bone of the shoulder joint or cervical region.
- Pathological conditions of internal organs. For example, pain in the heart may radiate to the left shoulder.
When the forearm of the left arm hurts - what to do?
Ifthere is pain in the forearm of the left hand, the reasons can be very different, so it is best to consult a specialist. Immediately there will be a completely logical question, but which doctor should I contact in this case? As we can see from all of the above causes of pain in this area, it is best to start with a local therapist. If the forearm of the right hand hurts, what to do, he can also tell.
The therapist will perform an initial examination and issue referrals to specialized specialists: a neuropathologist or a traumatologist. After a survey and examination by a doctor, the nature of the pain will be established, and only then, based on the information received, it will be possible to assume possible causes and make some kind of preliminary diagnosis.
Which diseases can be suspected depending on the nature of the pain?
If the pain in the forearm in the arm on the left side, starting from the elbow to the shoulder, with any movement of the neck, it only gets stronger, and there are also complaints about reduced tactile sensitivity of the skin in this area, then we can confidently talk about the presence osteochondrosis.
With aching constant pain in the left shoulder, and sometimes its sudden increase, especially at rest, tendinitis can be suspected. In addition, if such a pathological process occurs, then the mobility of the joint immediately becomes sharply limited.
If the patient says that he has severe pain in the forearm in the arm, the joint area is swollen, and with any movement or touchunbearable pain occurs, then we can talk about arthrosis or arthritis.
If neuritis of the shoulder occurs, the joint itself will not be damaged, but due to irritation of the nerve endings, there will be a feeling of pain that radiates to the arm.
Capsulitis of the shoulder joint is manifested by sharp painful sensations not only in the joint itself, but also spreading to the shoulder, forearm or neck.
Injuries of varying complexity also cause pain.
Some of the diseases of the internal organs can manifest themselves as painful sensations in the area of the left hand. For example, it can be heart disease. In addition to severe pain in the chest area, patients complain of irradiation of painful sensations in the area of the shoulder blade and numbness of the arm on the left side.
The appearance of myositis
As a rule, this disease is manifested by the fact that there is pain in the right forearm and arm, which can increase if you press too hard on them or move your hand intensively. Unwanted movements will be suppressed by the affected muscle, which will make the pain even worse and reduce mobility not only in the forearm, but also in the elbow joint. Myositis is very easy to diagnose, as redness and swelling begin to appear on the skin over the affected area of \u200b\u200bthe arm. In addition, a progressive disease is manifested by pain not only during movement, but also at rest. Very often, pain can occur when the weather or season changes. In the last stages of myositis, muscle atrophy may occur.
Myositis responds well to treatment even at home. But it is imperative to know exactly what caused it. As a rule, so that there is no pain in the muscles, the latter need to be fixed. For this, it is best to use kinesiology tape.
Shoulder pain from overload
Another cause of pain in the forearm when raising the arm or moving it can be frequent and intense stress on the muscles. Usually, if you do not give the forearm any rest, the pain can only get worse, especially with a sudden movement or a new load on the muscles. At the very beginning, pain may appear slightly below the elbow, and only then are transferred to the forearm. Very often, such pain is chronic and occurs in people with certain professions. If you do not pay attention to such pains in time, then dystrophy may begin to develop. Ultimately, this can lead to the fact that you simply cannot make a fist or grasp and hold an object in your hand.
Cramps and muscle spasms as a cause of pain
These reasons can also cause pain in the forearm when raising the arm. A cramp is an involuntary contraction of one or more muscles that is very painful. It causes very severe pain in the forearm of the hand. As a rule, cramps appear in the lower extremities, but there are exceptions to the rule. The causes of cramps can be improper blood circulation in the arm, severe overwork in the muscles, or metabolic disorders. Spasms or convulsionscharacterized by the appearance of severe, sharp, cutting pain that comes and goes suddenly.
Muscle strain
Strain in the muscles is undoubtedly the most popular reason for pain in the right forearm (right hand). Stretching can be obtained while playing sports or even in everyday life. As a rule, very often tennis players suffer from such an ailment. The first pain sensations begin to be observed almost immediately after exertion and persist for 12 hours. In this case, the forearm swells, swells, swells and feels heavy. A person has constant pain in the right forearm of the right hand (or left), which becomes stronger when the muscle is pressed. Pain may persist for several days or even a week. To reduce pain a little, it is best to use Kinesio Tape, which can reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and improve muscle condition.
Muscle strain
In some cases, the muscles may not just stretch, but tear. In this situation, the symptoms are exactly the same as with a sprain, only the pain in the forearms of the hands will be several times stronger. It is more like strong direct blows to the arm and does not go away for a very long period of time. Sometimes pain can go away immediately, but manifest itself with movements, and a hematoma will appear on the skin. If you feel the injured place, then the pain in the forearm of the right hand will become stronger. In addition, you can alsofeel the swelling caused by the hemorrhage. In rare cases, but still it happens that the muscle is completely separated from the tendon. In such cases, gaps can be felt under the fingers. Injuries of this kind restrict movement and cause discomfort that does not go away for a long time.
What do you need to clarify the diagnosis?
In order to make a more accurate diagnosis, the attending physician issues a referral for X-ray, electroneuromyography, CT and MRI. When conducting these studies, the nature of disorders in the joints or spine will be determined. With the help of clinical blood tests, it will be possible to most accurately determine whether there is any inflammatory process in the tissues or if there is none. Based on the analyzes received, as well as based on the results of a medical examination, the causes of pain in the forearm in the arm will be established, and then it will be possible to prescribe some specific treatment.
How to cure shoulder pain?
First of all, based on laboratory blood tests, drug treatment is carried out or a diet is prescribed. This is necessary to restore the balance of vitamins, s alts, trace elements, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and other metabolic elements.
Constantly with the appearance of pain in the forearm in the hand, it is necessary to empirically choose a position of the limb that ensures the absence of discomfort or minimal discomfort when immobilizing the hand, if necessary.
During sleep orrest in bed, take this position and adjust the height of the pillow, as well as the body itself, so that pain does not occur. If this cannot be achieved, then they can at least be minimized. In addition, it is imperative to ensure that the spine does not turn out to be twisted, skewed, but straight and maintains cervical and lumbar physiological lordosis (local forward bend).
Already when the subacute period is reached, it is necessary to develop the diseased hand, perform most of the work with it and move all the joints in the same way as it was done before the onset of the disease. For such a thing, ingenuity and constant attention are needed. It will be very convenient to help with the other hand. But in some situations, only another person or a special device saves the situation. At the same time, one should not try to overcome the pain in the arm and work with it. Be sure to carefully choose the angle of movement, its strength, amplitude, as well as the degree of assistance. The warm water of the pool helps to develop the hand very well, since the limb weighs less in the water, and blood circulation becomes better.
It is very important that from the first days of illness, the patient warns against the occurrence of movement restrictions, in particular in the shoulder area. As soon as the first signs appear, everything possible must be done to eliminate them, since a running restriction is very difficult to cure. Here, in some cases, you have to work, even overcoming some pain, in order to increase the range of motion.
Gymnastics for treatment
One of the main methods of treatment is special physical education. Its main task in this case is to prevent muscle atrophy, since due to muscle immobility, it can develop very quickly. Physical education improves blood circulation, the functioning of the nervous system. At the same time, do not forget that even the most active training should not cause overwork or muscle exhaustion. But it will be necessary to work a lot - several times a day for half an hour with long breaks for rest. The intensity and pace of work should be gradually increased.
Self-massage and gentle movements that do not cause pain are of great importance in the treatment of pain.
It is also useful to regularly engage in impulse gymnastics, including electropulse. This is especially true for pain that occurs with active and passive movements in the joints.
It is also advisable to use various ointments that help warm the muscle and improve local blood circulation. With caution, you can try mud therapy. If there is no negative reaction, then it will be possible to continue it.
In situations where the exacerbation is not the result of trauma or acute overexertion, local cold can be applied for the first couple of days, but not lower than +4 degrees, so that there is no hemorrhage in the tissue.
What else helps reduce pain?
Very often helps to reduce the pain of thermal procedures. You can use electric heating pads, but so that there are no burns. It is also useful to use half-alcohol or vodka compresses at night.
Reflexology is an ancient method of treatment, it will be especially effective when working with an experienced specialist. It can be applied in the form of acupuncture, electronic acupuncture, etc.
Physiotherapy can be used for injuries and strains after about three to four days, and in other cases from the very first day of illness. It is also useful to prescribe electrophoresis with various drugs. However, this procedure should only be used as a last resort and for no longer than five days.
Massage for diseases of the shoulder or hands has its own characteristics. The joints themselves can only be gently stroked. The rest of the massage is applied to all areas above and below the joint.
With a significant decrease in pain, in order to completely remove it, it is necessary to add to the set of exercises the turns of the hand in different directions to the limit with the arm straightened and bent at the elbow (5-20 times).
It is also worth mentioning that a sore arm and shoulder must be protected from hypothermia, fatigue, overstrain and stress.
Conclusion
Pain in the arm and elbow can appear for a variety of reasons, ranging from a simple bruise to a malfunction of internal organs, such as the heart. Therefore, to make a correct diagnosis, you should definitely consult a specialist in order to prevent possible diseases and cure them.
