What is the cause of elbow pain ?

Pain in the left arm can be due to many causes, ranging from a pulled muscle to a massive heart attack. While it is not always possible to determine whether left arm pain is due to an insignificant cause or something potentially serious, several features can help distinguish the difference.

In another direction; some people experience pain in left arm and immediately think it might be related to a heart problem. Although that is one possibility, there are other factors that can cause arm pain, whether it is unilateral (affects only one arm) or bilateral (affects both arms).

Pain in left arm can also be an acute or a chronic condition. Sudden or short lasting arm pain is said to be acute while one that persists for over three months is considered to be chronic. In some cases, pain just comes and goes, while in some people, pain may become progressive and debilitating.

Pain in left arm may be experience by anyone, but it is more common among women who are about forty years old. It may be a mild and dull type of pain, but in others it could be a sharp, shooting pain that can be severe. The pain may affect any part of the arm or the whole arm, from the fingertips to the shoulder.

Although home treatments sometimes relieve the pain, it is always best to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if the pain is severe or chronic in nature.

Most elbow pain results from overuse injuries. Many sports, hobbies and jobs require repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements. Elbow pain may occasionally be due to arthritis, but in general, your elbow joint is much less prone to wear-and-tear damage than are many other joints.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

·        Broken arm

·        Bursitis

·        Cubital tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the ulnar nerve on the inside of your elbow is irritated or injured

·        Dislocated elbow

·        Dislocation

·        Elbow fracture

·        Golfer's elbow

·        Ligament sprains and tears

·        Little league elbow syndrome (pitcher's elbow) - an injury mainly affecting children and rapidly growing adolescents involved in throwing sports such as baseball

·        Olecranon bursitis - inflammation of a small sac of fluid (olecranon bursa) on the tip of your elbow

·        Osteoarthritis

·        Osteochondritis dissecans

·        Rheumatoid arthritis

·        Radial tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the radial nerve becomes compressed just beyond your elbow (sometimes called resistant tennis elbow)

·        Sprains and strains

·        Stress fractures

·        Tendinitis

·        Tennis elbow

·        Throwing injuries

·        Trapped nerves

Note: Always do not hesitate to call or go to the doctor in the case of pain, especially if it has been associated with chest pain.

Read more:

Myocardial infarction 

Ref:

livestrong.com

mayoclinic.org

webmd.com