My left arm has been troubling me for some time,mainly between the elbow and shoulder.The feeling is as if a syringe has been jabbed into my arm.I have a history of athritis problems and I wonder does anyone know if my problem could be emanating from the shoulder joint.My lower arm is also giving me some trouble but to a lesser degree.Any helpful advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike
I’d go see a doctor asap, but until then, if it starts hurting while you’re playing or doing anything for that matter, stop. If there’s some sort of major problem, you don’t want to make it worse.
If you would care to provide more specifics as to the location of your pain, perhaps I might be of assistance. In any case, as has already been mentioned, get in to see a physician; it’s best to see someone who is familiar with nerve problems, as that is likely what is going on, absent any other information. And yes, it is very possible that the problem may originate in the shoulder area; the brachial plexus, from which all the nerves descend into the arm, is located there.
I second (or third or fourth) the advice to see a doctor. The pain could be arthritic, refering from the shoulder, but I’m minded that pain in the left arm can also be related to the heart. Don’t want to scare you or anything (I’m not even sure if you’re of an age or condition to be very concerned about heart issues)…most likely it’s related to your arthritis…but sometimes it doesn’t hurt to be a little paranoid (and if it is an arthritis flare, you’ll want to get it under control asap anyway).
Redwol
Hi JIm - I’m no professional but have experienced myriad injuries and associated pains with rehab, etc. over the years (broken ribs, jaw and hand, overextended ligaments, ruptured achilles tendon, ruptured ligament that holds the collar bone down on one side, etc.). The thing that bothers me most is a sort of tennis elbow that sometimes flares up when playing over an extended period. Enough about me, huh.
First, as was said, see a physician to rule out the really serious things and check for possible pinched nerve. Once that’s done, regular internists are not generally great with non-serious yet naggy and debilitating pains such as yours. Once cleared by a doctor, perhaps Advil and either wet heat or a combination alternating heat and cold packs on the affected area.
Please see a doctor first, though.
Take care.
Regards,
Phil Osattin
Thanks everyone for responding to my call for help.I,m seeing a Doctor on monday but as it might be just the beginning of making the right diagnosis and finding the best treatment I thought I,d check with the forum first.Jim,the pain which is more like dull ache,is localised at a point about 6 inches below the shoulder and if I raise and stretch it to the sky,it hurts quite a bit and there is a general feeling of weakness as well.I play fiddle and guitar as well as whistle, and fiddle causes the most discomfort of the lot.Redwolf,I,m 49 with no history of heart problem..can you elaborate more on the arm/heart connection? Mike
The connection is that an initial
symptom of heart attack is pain
in the left arm–but it is very
unlikely that this is happening
to you, from your account. Of
course you wanna check it out.
There are specialists in hands
and arms, plastic surgeons, too,
and it’s helpful to see somebody
at some point who specializes.
Also there are physical therapists,
like our own Jim W, who
have a lot of helpful info.
This is the sort of problem
about which most physicians do
least well.
A lot of us are struggling
with stuff like this, you
can be sure. Apparently
we were meant to sing.
On 2002-10-19 15:01, Redwolf wrote:
I’m not even sure if you’re of an age or condition to be very concerned about heart issues
Any age is an age to be concerned if you’ve got a family history of heart difficulty or high blood pressure. I had my first (rather bad) heart attack at 41, and a quintuple bypass at 45. I was only about 15 pounds overweight, and had been reasonably active through most of my life.
I had no forewarning symptoms, either, other than sharp pain in my left elbow when playing chords on the guitar, and I was sure that was arthritis setting on due to a bad fall I had taken ice skating as a child (they’d told me I might develop arthritis in that elbow). A mere ten minutes playing chords would leave my elbow intensely painful and almost locked up where I couldn’t move it.
Anyway, after my initial heart attack and an angioplasty and stents, I suddenly had absolutely no more pain in my left elbow. Now, this really surprised me because the pain I was experiencing wasn’t anything like the left-arm pain they describe for heart patients. Nor can my cardiologist explain what might have been the relationship. But, whatever the cause of the pain it went completely away after that initial angioplasty and I have never had a problem since, I can play chords for hours with no pain in my arm or elbow.
John
Mike, If you’d care to drop me an e-mail, the back and forth might be a bit easier. In any case, there’s nothing quite as good as someone who knows what they’re doing actually seeing you and bouncing questions back and forth. I hope that you find that knowledgeable individual.
Mike I think you have a problem that I have. I also have a frozen elbow as well as Ulnar Nerve damage in both elbows. What you are probably experienceing is a type of RSI injury. I had Ultra sound treatment for about a month on the upper arm muscles and that cured it (not the nerve damage or frozen shoulder though) and I was able to go back to playing. Meantime support your arm if you can by placing your elbow on a pad or cushion of foam.
I went through a bout of rotator cuff tendonitis just last spring and summer. The pain was very similar to what you describe. The problem with upper arm pain, though, is that it can be caused by a nerve injury and be radiating from the neck. I would recommend a trip to a physiatrist who can administer tests to rule out nerve injury.
If it is tendonitis, the treatment is physical therapy. The good news is that my pain is gone and full range of motion restored after 12 weeks of therapy.
Bursitis can feel something like you are describing, it can cause limited motion and pain in the arm. Glad you are going to the doctor but be diligent with him, don’t take the first diagnosis to heart, ask to see a specialist, it is amazing how much more they know!
S
don’t waste your time and money going to doctors. the pain in your arm is from holding your instrument with too much tension and the cause is your conflicted feelings caused by your mother’s constantly reminding you that instead of playing that stupid fiddle you could have studied medicine or law!
Treatment plan: start a band and make some money playing, then give a free concert at your mother’s church or social group. Nag her into selling tickets to all her friends, then tell the audience how grateful you are for the talent you inherited and all the support she has given you through the years. Oh, and stop playing that whistle in the car!
Due to a severe case of arthritis, I had shoulder replacement surgery this summer. The pain was usually halfway between my right shoulder and elbow. I am now in physical therapy to regain my range of motion. Its not fun, but hopefully will be better than hurting all the time. This is just to let you know that your original assumption of arthritis may be correct. See a good doctor, preferably one who specializes in sports medicine, but first have the possible heart condition checked out.
First of all, I’m not about to attempt to diagnose. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t play one on the Web. 
That said, I have considerable pain in my left knee from an old martial arts injury. If you want to help get rid of the pain while you’re waiting to see your physician, I highly recommend a pain-reliever called “PK-5”, which is available at most pharmacies in the USA. It’s totally herbal, no prescription, and works wonders on joint and muscle pain, and all without nasty smells! I use the roll-on bottle, as it’s easy to apply and does a bit of massage at the same time.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Bill Whedon
Thanks again one and all.I,ve read all your posts carefully and learnt much.My Doctor suggests embarking on a treatment using Chinese medicines commencing with a linament to ease the inflamation.He explained the long term benefits of a more holistic approach.He ruled out heart problem but will do a blood test anyway just to be sure.My Doctor is also a fine Irish flute player so I know his heart is in the right place same as all of you. Mike
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for updating us…I was thinking about you yesterday.
Redwolf