Stabbing bicep pain when I lift my arm

[Nilda]

For the last 3 months (since April 2005), I've developed a stabbing pain in my left bicep when my arm is in certain positions.  The pain is located deep within my arm in the center of my upper arm and is very intense (i.e., level 8-10) as if a knife was plunged into the center of my bicep.  When the pain happens, I have to use my right arm to pick up the left arm and move it into a neutral position down and in front of me.  Depending on how intense the episode was, it can take anywhere from 5-10 seconds for the pain to subside and disappear completely.

The pain happens when I lift my arm into certain positions (i.e., overhead presses especially when my arm lifts next to my head or behind my head).  I am no longer able to put a bar behind my neck and grip it from behind.  The motion of bringing my arm up and back to grasp the bar is excrutiating.  It doesn't matter if I'm lifting weights or not -- I experience the pain in my everyday life too whenever my arm is raised, bent at the elbow, and moved backward.  Note, I am able to do bicep curls or hammer curls with 5# weights without pain so any bicep-related activity in front of my body is pain free.  Tricep kick backs and tricep "push ups" are also pain free.

I have been active, including aerobics, biking, skiing, lifting weights (5# or less), on and off all my life and 3-4 times a week since late last year and consider myself in excellent shape and am of a normal weight for my height and age (45).

Note, I broke my ankle in June so didn't exercise much at all for 2 months but the arm pain is still there.

[Coereen]

I have EXACTLY the same symptom...
So... I am anxious to learn what it is too.

[Nilda]

I've been racking my brain trying to think of what things have happened to me last Spring with my arm which could be the cause of this pain and I remembered something which might be relevant.  While walking my 95 pound Golden Retriever on a retractable leash, I stopped to talk with a neighbor.  Unbeknownst to me, my dog, who was already at the full length of the leash, saw a squirrel and bolted after it. My left arm was suddenly jerked outward which caused some initial pain which eventually receded by the end of the day.  I'm wondering now if perhaps I could have pulled a deep muscle within my bicep.  If that is the case, I'm wondering how long it will take to be painfree.

[Nilda]

I have new information to share on this topic for anyone who is interested.  The pain just wasn't going away so I visted an orthopedic doctor today and learned that the dog-leash incident is the cause of my problem.  Apparently I have an inflammation in the area where my shoulder joins with my arm.  The shoulder area doesn't hurt but the pain is felt in the bicep instead.  Very interesting.   My doctor gave me a prescription for anti inflammatory medicine (i.e., very, very strong Aleve) which I need to take twice a day for a month to try to heal the shoulder.

[achieva]

I also  have pain in my bicep & front of shoulder.I think mine is from my 96lb german sheppard who also saw a squirrel on her retractable leash.I keep hoping it will get better,but it has now been over 2 months.How are you today,did the meds help?

[Andy478]

I have recently suffered this strange unsourced pain untill I read comments and symptoms on this site. I would say my "strange unexplained" painfull bicep is probably that I have recently adopted a bad habit of leaning on my elbow with my hand "cupped" on my left cheek for an half hour or more at a time for ages whilst brosing and using mouse with right hand active only, anyone agree with this? Thank you.
    Andy

[sam197]

I have horrible cramping pain in my bicep for the last three months. I feel it coming on and if i put my arm up over my head it will subside but sometimes it takes a while and below my elbow it goes numb and tingling. Been tested for carpel, nothing shows up.What a pain. Anyone know what this is??

[TheSwitch]

When i do any strenuous exercise using my arms(curls, bench or shoulder press) i get a wracking ache from my bicep to my hand that last for up to an hour or so. Wondering if anyone has any idea what it is. It's very persistent(2 months now).

[fisherman78]

I have the same problem but mine is the triceps. I get some real bad pain when I lift any weights, but is only in some  position, like raising my arm or bench pressing and some other positions  & went I go to sleep some times I can't even sleep because of the pain, like last night. I went to the doctor paid $200 for a visit and he told me to take some ibuprofen, but the pain still there it’s been 4 months with this pain and I don’t know what to do. CAN ANY BODY HELP ME SO I COULD SLEEP AND BE PAIN FREE? Thank you all.

[Dr Vinod]

You need to properly assess your muscle and tendon of triceps. Need to examine it at insertion and origin and test the strength by an Orthopaedician.

Rest the muscle from exercise and assist healing. Ice packing and anti inflammatory drugs with rest will help you.

Need to do an MRI if the pain does not subside.

Take care!

[KTW1111]

I know it's been years since you posted this.  But, after reading your symptoms, I'm thoroughly convinced that I have the same bicep issues.  I think mine happened when I was sleeping.  The process you describe is exactly mine as well, particularly the sharp knifing pain I'm getting in my bicep.  Whenever I extend my shoulder in a certain position, the pain occurs.  I will try ice and anti-inflamatories as well.  How long did it take your bicep pain to subside after seeing the doctor?  Thanks.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Also go for an MRI to check if your Rotator cuff is perfect along with the biceps muscle and tendon, teres major and deltoids.
You have these symptoms with rotator cuff tears.
Mild tears will completely heal with rest and followed by Physiotherapy.

Take occasional anti inflammatory drugs and you can use ice packs regularly.

Take care!

[scribler]

I have the same bicep pain problem; actually the pain starts at my left shoulder and ends at the left elbow. It occurs when I move my arm certain ways in any direction and when I squeeze the bicep or joints. It started when I slept on my left arm in a "funny" position for about 8 hours. I've had the pain for months now. Naproxen (Aleve) helps but the potential side effects of that drug worry me. Saw a doctor who sent me to a physical therapist who thinks it is the "scalene" muscles. He stretched me and whatnot and relieved some tightness in my shoulder but the original pain problem persists. Please post a solution if you ever find one.
Who or what is Dr Vinod...his facile solutions sound phony. He probably is no doctor.

[Rustycarman]

Looks like I can add another chalk mark next to all of yours. Same thing, however the cause I feel is carrying a four year old with my left arm supporting her bottom. I noticed this for months but could not pinpoint it. I have woken up from this with excruciating pain almost as if someone did in fact knife me. When my elbow is locked straight i can lift my arm with little discomfort but when I bend it at a 90 and try to raise my arm the pain brings me to my knees. Off to the doc in the next few days to hopefully put an end to my misery.