Why Is There Pain in My Left Hand?

Pain in the left hand can be a distressing experience, often raising concerns about the underlying causes. This page will explore various aspects of left hand pain, including its causes, symptoms, and potential relief strategies.

Causes of Left Hand Pain

There are many reasons for numbness, weakness, or pain in the left arm. Following are a few scenarios of hand pain without any chest pain to watch out for:

The pain may radiate from an injury elsewhere, such as in the wrist or hand. Trauma, such as a fall, accident, or contact sport, is a common cause of these injuries.
Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system, often causing pain and numbness in the arms. Cervical stenosis, narrowing of the neck's spinal canal, can also lead to arm pain and weakness due to nerve compression.
Poor circulation refers to an interruption of blood flow. For example, pressure on the arm can limit blood flow to that area, causing numbness, tingling, or pain.
Anxiety can cause pain. When another condition is causing left arm pain, Anxiety can make the pain worse.Often an early symptom of a heart attack is sudden pain in the left arm that becomes increasingly severe over a few minutes.
Angina, from lack of heart oxygen, can cause left arm pain, often with shoulder, neck, back, jaw discomfort, or indigestion. Left arm pain might also indicate shoulder bursitis from overuse or injury.
Tendinitis often develops due to repetitive use of the joint. Tendinitis in the shoulder or elbow could be the source of the pain in the left arm.

Symptoms of left-hand pain include:

Dull or sharp pain
Tingling or numbness
Muscle weakness
Difficulty gripping
Swelling or inflammation
Limited range of motion

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Pain in Left Hand and Shoulder

Possible Link Between Hand and Shoulder Pain

Experiencing pain in the left hand along with shoulder pain may indicate:

Referred Pain: Pain originating from the shoulder or neck that radiates to the hand.
Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons that might affect both the shoulder and hand.
Nerve Issues: Compression or irritation of nerves that can affect both areas.

How is left arm pain diagnosed and treated?

Since arm pain can be a symptom of many different disorders, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis if the pain is persistent or causing distress.

If necessary, the doctor will order imaging tests that may include the following:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of each area of the body.
An ultrasound test uses sound waves to produce images of structures in the body and can help diagnose compression syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Nerve conduction study measures nerve impulses when a small amount of current is applied to detect a damaged nerve.
Electromyography (EMG) test involves inserting a needle electrode into the muscles to measure their electrical activity, which can help detect damage to the nerves that go to the muscles.

Treatments for pain in the left hand

Although arm and shoulder injuries may not be life-threatening, it is important to seek medical evaluation from a physician. Early treatment can help the tissues or bones heal and prevent further damage.

If a person has heart disease, treatment may include medications, relief of symptoms, and heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
If a person has serious heart disease, surgery may be needed to clean or bypass the occluded arteries. Broken bones or fractures must be put back into place and immobilised until healed.
This usually requires wearing a cast for several weeks. Serious tears sometimes require surgery.
For sprains and strains, elevate and rest the arm. Apply ice to the area several times a day. Bandages or splints may be helpful.

Physical/occupational therapy, rest, and medication for pain and inflammation are the main treatments for:

Bursitis
Herniated disc
pinched nerve
rotator cuff tear
tendinitis
Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

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When to visit a Doctor?

See the doctor as soon as possible if:

If the arm, shoulder, elbow, or wrist pain is the result of serious trauma.
Sudden arm, chest, back, and shoulder pain, accompanied by chest pressure, may indicate a heart attack.
Experience pain with exertion, but is relieved by rest.
Experience a sudden injury (especially when accompanied by a snap)
I experience severe pain and swelling.
Having trouble moving normally
Difficulty turning palm up and palm down or vice versa
pain that does not go away after rest, elevation, and ice
Increased redness, swelling, or discomfort in the damaged area

Home remedies to cure left-hand pain

Effective Home Remedies

se an ice pack on the sore area three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes
Take over-the-counter pain relievers, rest the arm for a few days, and keep the arm elevated
Try to get some sun so that the body can make the vitamin D it needs to help protect the joints from the damage of osteoarthritis.
Swimming is a low-impact form of resistance training that uses the entire body. It is a relaxing way to improve health and relieve pain.
Drinking 3-4 cups of green tea a day has been shown to be very effective in combating pain.