Arm Pain

You may not realize how much you rely on your arms until arm pain makes it hard for you to manage everyday things like brushing your teeth or combing your hair. At Oakland Orthopedic in Pontiac, Michigan, Bruce Henderson, MD, is an expert at finding and treating the cause of arm pain. To get relief from your arm pain, you need to find the source of your discomfort. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

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Arm Pain Q & A

What causes arm pain?

Arm pain may develop from any problem related to the structure or function of the components that make up your arm. Common causes of arm pain include:

Rotator cuff problems

Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles that help you lift and rotate your arm at the shoulder. Your rotator cuff tendons attach to the humerus and shoulder blade to support these functions.

Bursitis

Commonly shoulder pain can be a result of an impingement syndrome which is called “bursitis”. This problem can usually be cured with a simple injection into the shoulder.

Tennis elbow

Activities that overuse the elbow joint may cause tennis elbow. With tennis elbow, you experience pain and inflammation from microtears in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscle to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow joint. This problem can be relieved by medications or injections and prevented by learning proper lifting techniques.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome develops from compression or pinching of the median nerve when it passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. When compressed, you may feel numbness or tingling sensation in your hands as well as night pain.. This common diagnosis and be easily cured with injections or minor surgery if necessary.

Neck or back pain

Very commonly, arm pain may be a result of problems related to your neck or back. Many neck and back pain conditions develop from problems with the spine that compress spinal nerves, causing pain and other sensations that radiate into your arms.

What happens during an arm pain evaluation?

Dr. Henderson takes a comprehensive approach to orthopedic care. He conducts a thorough exam to find the underlying cause of your arm pain so he can develop the most effective treatment plan.

For most patients, he diagnoses arm pain after a physical exam and in-office X-rays. However, he may request additional testing, such as an MRI, CT scan, or nerve conduction studies, to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis and help design the right treatment plan.

How is arm pain treated?

Treatment for your arm pain depends on the cause and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Henderson initially takes a conservative approach to orthopedic care and may recommend:

With the right plan, Dr. Henderson aims to support your body’s natural healing process and alleviate your arm pain. When necessary, he may recommend surgery to address the problem causing your arm pain. Surgery could include carpal tunnel release for carpal tunnel syndrome or minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear.

Arm Pain

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