Severe upper arm pain, is it muscle or bone? (2)

[colby22]

Forgot to add this past 7 years pain is in both my arms every single day without fail.

[colby22]

Thank you for this information. Nothing like this was ever mentioned by ortho or neuro drs I have seen...I just read information online as well and since sometime it does involve my spur area or lower back of skull & migraine I think I can present this to my primary dr and get some feedback. Just so frustrated. I take care of my husband who is a disabled vet with gunshot wound to head that when I can't be 100% I feel bad but if I don't find a solution soon we both will need a caregiver. In the 70's and 80's I was in hospital for spinal manipulation, barely  out of my teens. I have several deteriorating disks and small spur on top of spine. Last ortho wanted me to do therapy but I do therapy everyday using pilates reformer. My newest problem has been red burn on my face so I am seeing a RA, asked him if this could be part of my auto immune disorder since he just added Lupus to my list. He ordered real low dose of prednisone with Plaquinal to see if this makes pain any less in next 2 months.

[randompsi]

It's confused and possible low-quality muscle affecting the fragile bone.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
What you have is probably Scalene Myofascial Pain Syndrome. When scalene muscle is the cause of pain, the pain is referred to (either all or a combination of) chest, inner lining of scapula (shoulder bone), shoulder, posterior and lateral sides of the arm right up to the thumb and index finger. When this muscle shortens, this can press on brachial plexus (bundle of nerves and blood vessels in the armpit) and the subclavian artery and can compress or irritate these structures and cause symptoms such as abnormal sensation, cold extremity, spasms of pain, and lymphedema (swelling of lymph channels causing swelling of arm or leg) in the involved extremity. This is a major cause of TOS.  Other than this it can be inflammation of veins or phlebitis, inflammation of lymph channels or lymphangitis, deep vein thrombosis or compartment syndrome.
There is also a chance that you have compression of the spinal nerves in the cervical spine region. This can happen due to overuse of computers, work involving straining of neck, herniated disc, canal stenosis, bone disease, spondylosis, poor posture etc. A MRI of the cervical spine and nerve conduction studies may be required. Please consult a neurologist. The treatment is to remove the compression. You have to discuss the best treatment option with a neurologist, which can range from medication to physiotherapy to traction, cervical collars or even surgery.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined as a confirmed diagnosis is not possible on net. Take care!