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What are the Most Common Causes of Sharp Arm Pain?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

The most common cause of sharp arm pain is an injury resulting from some sort of trauma, though there are other causes. In some cases, it may be a sign of a heart attack, though this is less common than injuries or nerve pain. If a nerve that services either arm becomes compressed or otherwise damaged, it may cause sharp pain in either arm. While overused muscles generally do not cause this symptom, muscle fatigue can lead to muscle strains, which in turn cause sharp pain in either arm.

Athletes often experience sharp pain in the arm as a result of a fall or other impact. If the arm bears a load that it is not used to, the muscles may not be able to support it, leaving the bones to do the job. If the bones cannot handle the load either, they may crack or break. Those cracks can be quite painful, depending on the severity of the injury; minor fractures often heal on their own after proper rest and treatment, and the pain will be mild to moderate. A more severe fracture can cause intense pain and may even require a surgery to repair. In either case, a person who experiences this type of pain should visit a medical professional to find out the best course of treatment.

Muscle fatigue is a common cause of sharp arm pain.
Muscle fatigue is a common cause of sharp arm pain.

Muscle strains and ruptures can cause sharp arm pain as well. A muscle strain occurs when the tiny fibers that make up a muscle begin to tear, causing sharp pain in the affected area. If the muscle ruptures completely — that is, the muscle tears away from itself or away from a tendon — the pain will be considerably more severe. A rupture often requires a surgery to repair, and the recovery period can last several weeks to months.

A broken arm may cause arm pain.
A broken arm may cause arm pain.

Nerve damage can cause sharp pain in either arm as well. If a nerve becomes compressed, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, a loss of motor control, achiness, and other types of discomfort. It is important to determine the source of the compression to treat nerve pain in the arms; common causes include a herniated disc in the spine, tight and tired muscles, a lack of proper conditioning in athletes, and even a trauma or injury.

Pinched neves in the neck can cause sharp pain in the arm.
Pinched neves in the neck can cause sharp pain in the arm.

If the sharp arm pain is present in the left arm, it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. The pain will often radiate up the arm and into the chest, shoulders, and neck, or even into the right arm. The arm pain will be accompanied by other severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

Discussion Comments

serenesurface

I have sharp, left arm pain since last week. I saw my doctor today and after a physical examination, she said that it's tendinitis.

I work on my computer all day and I guess I overused my arm. The tendon on the outer part of my arm is inflamed. I've been told to rest and take anti-inflammatory pain relievers for a week.

My doctor also showed me some stretching exercises that I can do while I'm working at my desk to prevent this from happening again. I think the exercises are very beneficial.

turquoise

@ZipLine-- I'm not a doctor and I think you should see one if this is happening to you frequently.

There are different causes of sharp arm pain but since you also mentioned cramps, vitamin and mineral deficiencies come to mind. If you are deficient in a vitamin or mineral, you can have muscle cramps that are painful. Cramps are usually common in the legs, I'm not sure if arms can be affected as well.

It wouldn't hurt to see a doctor for some routine testing. A simple blood test is enough to check for deficiencies. If that's not the problem, then your doctor can ask for more tests or send you to a specialist to figure out what's causing these symptoms.

ZipLine

I get sharp arm pain, leg pain and cramps sometimes out of nowhere. It can happen at any time and I have no idea what's triggering it. I know that my arm is not injured and neither is my leg.

What could be the cause? Has anyone experienced something like this before?

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    • Muscle fatigue is a common cause of sharp arm pain.
      By: ArTo
      Muscle fatigue is a common cause of sharp arm pain.
    • A broken arm may cause arm pain.
      By: ttanothai
      A broken arm may cause arm pain.
    • Pinched neves in the neck can cause sharp pain in the arm.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Pinched neves in the neck can cause sharp pain in the arm.
    • Sharp pain in the left arm and shoulder may progress into cardiac arrest, and require emergency medical care.
      By: Monkey Business
      Sharp pain in the left arm and shoulder may progress into cardiac arrest, and require emergency medical care.
    • Left arm pain accompanied by shortness of breath and a tightening of the chest may be signs of a heart attack.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Left arm pain accompanied by shortness of breath and a tightening of the chest may be signs of a heart attack.
    • Overdosing on albuterol may cause sharp arm pain.
      By: perfectmatch
      Overdosing on albuterol may cause sharp arm pain.
    • Sharp arm pain may occur as a result of a shoulder injury.
      By: vbaleha
      Sharp arm pain may occur as a result of a shoulder injury.
    • A compressed nerve in the neck can lead to pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.
      By: Yanik Chauvin
      A compressed nerve in the neck can lead to pain, numbness, and reduced mobility.