Why Is There Pain in My Left Hand?
Left-arm pain, separate from chest pain, may stem from various issues, including injury or nerve damage. However, sudden or unusual left arm pain could signal a serious medical issue, possibly requiring treatment or even indicating a heart attack. Understanding its causes and characteristics aids in recognizing when medical attention is necessary.
Causes of pain in the left arm
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, stemming from insufficient heart oxygenation, can manifest as left arm pain, often accompanied by discomfort in the shoulder, neck, back, or jaw, and a feeling of indigestion. Left-arm pain may also signal shoulder bursitis, commonly due to overuse or injury to the shoulder joint.
- 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.
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Get A Second OpinionSymptoms of left-hand pain include:
- Dull or sharp pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty gripping
- Swelling or inflammation
- Limited range of motion
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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Book an AppointmentWhen 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 pain in the arm, shoulder, chest, or back, 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
The remedies are as follows:
- Use 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.
