What Could Pain and Weakness in the Right Arm Mean?

Arm pain, usually on the right side, accompanied by a tightening of the chest, nausea, and difficulty breathing can be a symptom of coronary artery disease or even a heart attack in some severe cases. Right arm pain can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from joint inflammation and injuries to compressed nerves and trauma. A person with right arm pain experiences soreness, itching, numbness, and discomfort in the structures of the arm


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Causes

Possible causes of arm pain include:

• Brachial plexus injury
• Broken arm
• Broken wrist/broken hand
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dislocated elbow
• Fibromyalgia
• Heart attack
• Sprains and strains
• Tennis elbow

Symptoms

Right arm pain, depending on the location and cause, may be accompanied by numbness, redness, swelling, or stiffness of the joints. Injuries or trauma to any part of the arm or shoulder, including bone fractures and muscle strains and sprains, are common causes of right arm pain. Sometimes diseases that affect other organs in the body, like peripheral vascular disease or arthritis, can be the cause of pain in the right arm as well.

Treatment

People with nerve damage or compressed nerves in the right arm, wrist, elbow, or hand should avoid repetitive movements and take frequent breaks. If you are experiencing right arm pain caused by overuse or exertion, you can try to alleviate the pain at home. If your right arm is swollen, apply ice to the area and use a sling to keep the arm still. The treatment for arm pain depends on the underlying cause. Treatment for arm pain may include rest, elevation, an elastic wrap, a splint or sling, cold compresses and surgery. Additional treatment for right arm pain caused by infection may include warm compresses and antibiotics.