Causes of Arm Pain, Aching, and Weakness
Disease description:
I have been experiencing soreness and weakness in my arms recently. Even lifting something slightly heavy feels very strenuous. Sometimes I also feel a tingling sensation in my arms. What could be causing this? Is it due to overexertion?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Arm pain and weakness are common symptoms that can be caused by various factors. The following are some common causes of arm pain and weakness:
1. Muscle or tendon injury: Overuse, repetitive movements, or sudden strenuous activities can cause muscle or tendon strains, tears, or inflammation, such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.
2. Overexertion: Prolonged heavy physical labor or excessively long working hours may lead to muscle fatigue and lactic acid buildup, causing soreness and weakness.
3. Calcium deficiency: Calcium is an essential element for maintaining neuromuscular excitability; calcium deficiency may lead to muscle cramps and pain.
4. Myofascial inflammation: Local strain or dampness can cause blood vessel constriction, ischemia within the back myofascia, as well as microcirculatory disturbances and edema, leading to myofascial inflammation. Inflammatory irritation of local muscles causes pain.
5. Osteoporosis: When bone density and quality decline, bone fragility increases, potentially causing pain.
6. Nerve compression: Conditions such as cervical spondylosis or carpal tunnel syndrome can compress nerves, causing arm pain and a sensation of weakness. Nerve compression may cause radiating pain and numbness along the nerve distribution area.
7. Circulatory problems: Conditions such as arterial stenosis, thrombosis, or Raynaud's disease may impair blood supply to the arms, resulting in pain and weakness.
