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211940 tn?1267881266

Upper Arm Pain mid arm between the elbow and shoulder

I have been looking everywhere for an answer, maybe someone here can.

About 1 year ago I began having pain in my right upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow, about mid arm where the biceps brachii muscle or brachialis muscle is.
I went to my Primary Physician who said it was a torn brachialis muscle.  Since I was working at a 2nd job, I thought it might be job related so I went through the whole Workman's Comp issue.  They sent me to 4 doctors who did nothing for me, finally the case was settled and my lawyer got most of the money, but I still have the pain.  It is an extreme ache down to the bone, that is unbearable at night.  Even with pain medicine and sleep aides, I get about 2-3 hours a night.  Finally, I went back to my own doctor and asked if he could help me, he said yes.  He sent me for an MRI, and then to an Orthopedic Surgeon.  The Surgeon said the MRI revealed a cyst inside the humerus bone about 1 cm by 5 mm, that would have to be "watched" to see if it grows, if it does, it could weaken the bone, and the slightest mishap could break the bone.  However, he said it could NOT be causing me so much pain.  He checked out my arm and noticed a hard soft tissue knot, and suggested removing it through surgery and it "might" relieve my pain.  So, 3 weeks ago I had the said surgery and it was removed (a hard soft tissue mass about the size of a marble).  No, this was not the cyst inside my humerus bone.  Anyways, I still have the pain, and it is extremely terrible at night (on a scale of 1 to 10, a 20 at night).  I even have the same pain, in the same place, in my left arm, but to a much lesser degree (maybe a 5-7 at night, but bearable).  I have tried many unsuccessful web searches, trying to find something that might lead me to an answer for what this is, so here I am grasping at cyber straws.  I have this incredible pain, that is extremely painful at night, no idea what it is, therefore  no idea how to cure it.  Please, if you have any ideas of where to research, I am definitely open and also AWAKE.  Thank you for your time, consideration, and cooperation in this matter, I deeply appreciate it.
897 Responses
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Avatar universal
The problem may be that you and your doctor are focusing on the arm and not that shoulder. There is a condition called "frozen shoulder" or adhesive capsulitis, which feels exactly like what you describe. I have had it twice. It feels like it is in the arm, but it is actually caused by the shoulder. It is extremely painful and you will lose all use of that arm if you don't do some physical therapy with the shoulder to break up the adhesions there. Have you lost the range of movement in that arm? Unable to scratch your back like you can with the other arm? Lie on the floor and move your arm in a big circle like a hand on a clock. Does the shoulder catch or crunch? Are there some positions that hurt, especially with the arm over your head and close to the floor? It takes 1-3 years to heal. The longer you let it go the longer it will take. You have to do range of motion exercises to force your shoulder to break the adhesions. (Yes, through the pain.) Also, I was not able to heal mine until I made myself sleep on my back with my arms down every night. This made a huge difference. It allows the correct blood flow to the shoulder. Best of luck!
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
Sounds like you have injured your alner nerve (not sure of spelling)in your arms. My mom had this same issue doctor after doctor couldn't figure it out chiropractor or physical therapy wasn't working. She finally seen a doctor the did an extensive nerve test and found she had injured the alner nerve and needed surgery to fix it after her surgery it is alot better. She was off work for a year on workmans comp because of all the pain. She had surgery on her alner nerve and it has helped her alot she was able to return to work she's a CNA so she uses her arms alot. Good luck hope this helps you all.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have had the same pain between my shoulder and elbow for about a month and a half. First it was just my right arm but now its both. Just last week my lower arm muscles are in pain also. I can not lift my arms very high and some days its hard for me to even lift my coffee cup to my mouth. Any info on what this might be would be greatly appreciated!!
Helpful - 1
2 Comments
Hi I'm having this problem, and its so rubbish the pain is awful. But for me in 2 weeks it will be sorted. I am having my gallbladder taken out and the side effect of gallstones is upper arm pain. So it might be worth investigating this idea. Will check back after my op and let you know if it has sorted it, Fingers crossed.  Carrie.
I know it's only been a short time but did the pain in your arm go away after getting your gallbladder removed? My wife is having the same issue with her arm but also her gallbladder isn't functioning at 100%. I forget the number the gave her after the test.
Avatar universal
I KNOW the PAIN your DESCRIBE and I do not SELL MSM!  

This information and RELIEF of pain came from a BODY BUILDER after I suffered 24/7 for 4 years of pain from right side of body, fingers to right side of neck, arm muscles spasms endlessly 24 hours a day!  I tried acupuncture, VIOX, huge needles shoved into the palm of my hand (it was 2.5 inches thick) writing was now impossible.  I was told to use MSM in tablet form.  2 capsules in the morning, 2 capsules at bedtime (use 3 times a day if needed).  RESEARCH this product that is mostly sulphur.  YOUR BODY will tell YOU how much you need by the reduction of pain.  My body took 6 months until ALL the pain was GONE.  I was hit by a truck, so I have Deep Tissue damage that will be with me for the rest of my life.  I take MSM as needed.  I hadn't taken it for a long time and I now have the same debilitating pain on the top of my right hand, muscles (or tendons) in right arm between elbow and shoulder - pain has travelled up my right shoulder (bursitis area) and into my neck.  At the time of diagnosis after the truck hit me, I was told I had TENOSINOVITIS.  Inflammation is basically the issue.  Look at your diet.  Are you eating break, dairy or other foods that CAUSE inflammation in YOUR body?  My pain is worse when I try to sleep.  I am once again taking the MSM and rubbing TIGER BALM on the skin location of pain.  You can also grind the MSM and mix with any cheap lotion and the pain will subside by osmosis.  If you want faster results, ask for DMSO (oil that smells fishy) but works.  This product was discovered by the Health Sciences Dept. at the University of Oregeon.  They were trying to discover another method of pain treatment via OSMOSIS for Cancer patients, other than by needles.  DMSO was discovered, but because it smells fishy, further testing was done.

RESEARCH MSM or look for the book, "The Miracle of MSM."  Hope this is helpful for some.  MSM is good for any type of INFLAMMATORY DISEASES.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I am so glad I found this post.
I have had pain in my upper right arm for about 13 months now.
It is halfway between my elbow and shoulder, on the upper or outside of my arm.
It aches and sometimes sort of burns.  It is 24/7, but worse at night.

My Dr says it's related to my neck, and won't consider anything else.
I have no health insurance so my choices are limited.

I had an MRI, and asked the Dr to have them include scanning of my arm, but they did not. (Paid for it out of pocket too) His instructions said "suspect C5 or C6, so that's what they scanned.
He did x-ray my arm and saw nothing like a tumor.
I can feel a kind of ropey/bumpy area exactly where the pain seems to originate, and it follows up my arm and around towards my shoulder.

I am at my wits end.

Anyone think ultrasound tell me anything?

Thanks and hope all of you find relief.



Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Wow. I know this is an old thread, but you described the exact same thing that I feel:"a ropey bumpy thing" it's deep, halfway between elbow and shoulder and so this "arm thing" also effects my shoulder. I was thinking some sort of muscle knot.
Avatar universal
Woke up this morning after a painful night of arm ache-age with a couple of thoughts:  first, thanks to ALL of you who have posted on this site; it is wonderful to know we are not alone, and not crazy--how weird that we all have the pains in the exact same place--and the second thought is about printing off these comments and highlighting specific comments when going to the doctor.  We are not nut cases, we are not making this up...thanks again to all of you :X
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I cannot believe that so many have the same pain that has plagued me.  I hope someone is able to come up with something that will explain it and or help it.  


Jocie
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
TFW
Omygoodness, I cant believe I found this forum.  I have the exact same pain in my right arm.  I never had any problem until I was recovering from a stroke and emergency surgery.  While in the hospital for two weeks afterward, I noticed a dull aching in my right arm, midway between the elbow and shoulder.  The discomfort gradually worsened over the next month until I couldnt use my arm at all.  An orthopedic surgeon told me I had torn my rotator cuff and needed surgery but, when he got in there, he found nothing.  Weekly deep tissue massage helps a lot, but I'd like to find out what's causing the pain.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I just registered on here today to see if i could find anything for that exact symptom. I am 21 and having the same syptoms in my right arm I thought maybe it was contributed to being on the computer all day at work and got a wrist brace for when I type, that has not helped, I have gotten to where I have to sleep on my left side with two pillows in front of me to lay my right arm on and it still does not help that much I wake up off and on all through the night. I am also having back pains and numb hand and fingers at times, the numbness is in my left and right hand. The pain in my right arm is more intense when I move my arm away from my body or up at all.
Helpful - 1
20603362 tn?1525638559
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

************/madscientist
Helpful - 0
20603362 tn?1525638559
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

************/madscientist
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have same thing, only in right arm...night is worse. Just been a few weeks, I'll let you know if my docs find something but I will say I have lupus and 5 other auto immunes.
Helpful - 0
470024 tn?1242509106
Brachial Neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome) - Spine-Health
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
THIS disease is not about the arm muscles but about nerves in the neck and brachial muscles
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

fb/madscientist
Avatar universal
I'm experiencing the same problem. Seriously aching pains I'm both arms. Originally started in my left right to the bone which was barely bearable & now it has travelled to my left shoulder & upper arm: unbearable. I'm kinda worried because I'm 17 & to be experiencing this sort of pain at this age could be a symptom of numerous of problems:(
Helpful - 0
1422961 tn?1282587806
I had the same issue. Pain, weakness. In the arm and shoulder on the right and just the arm on the left. Mentioned it to my neurologist who suggested having blood work done. My primary had me tested for inflammation/autoimmune disease and referred me to a rheumatologist. Bloodwork did show some positive results. I was given a shot in the shoulder for the bursitis, which really helped, and given Celebrex for the osteoarthritis, which is what I was diagnosed with. Wear and tear. PT helps he said, especially swimming. Unfortunately, I was sleeping much better until a week ago. I don't know if I'm having a "spell" or injured my arm when I slipped on ice, but I see my rheumatologist today, so we'll see. Ask for bloodwork to be done! I wish you luck.  It's terrible getting by on naps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Seems like there's a similar issue among many of us. My pain is in the left upper arm. The pain occurred after a hospital stay for a kidney stone which was two months ago. The other day my chiropractor provided some exercises to try at home and then suggested that if they didn'tt work to get a script from my doctor to see a physical therapist. However, today I had a massage and the therapist said that it's the tendons in my arm that seem to be really tight. She spent a lot of time massaging that area and suggested that I continue myself to loosen up the tight tendons. That has already helped A LOT!
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Brachial Neuritis (Parsonage-Turner Syndrome) - Spine-Health
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

fb/madscientist
Avatar universal
Just lay off your computer for a couple of days and stand straight up and the bend over and with your head touching your knees so you stretch your back but you have to stretch everyday the reason it hurt is because your kneck and back are hunch over in the same position I hope this works for you it did for me and when your done stretching out your back stretch your kneck put your left arm straight out side ways and with your other are grab the side of your head and bring down on the right side so you stretch your kneck but start off easy it will work after a couple of days you should be able to sleep right after a few hours of stretching out and the pain will slowly go away but you have to stretch everyday okay let know if this helps you, cause it did for me ok.
Helpful - 0
3 Comments
I went to my chiropractor and he adjusted my first rib on the bad side where i was having pain.  Issue solved! He said that daily stretches after that should keep the rib in place so it does not affect any nerves.  Hope this helps.
I went to my chiropractor and he adjusted my first rib on the bad side where i was having pain.  Issue solved! He said that daily stretches after that should keep the rib in place so it does not affect any nerves.  Hope this helps.
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

fb/madscientist
Avatar universal
It's because you are on the computer with your back hunch over in the same position it goes from your shoulder to your elbow and makes your fingers numb and it hurts really bad right if your on the computer everyday try and do this stand straight up and bend over and make your head touch your nees to stretch out and try not to sit in same position with your back hunch over so much and if it still hurts maybe you should lay off the computer for a while Hope this works for you it did for me it takes time but it work and I still stretch out so it won't come back thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same in both arms - exactly the same areas in both arms for this 3 months - excruciating pain especially at night time disturbing my sleep  - did anyone find a prognosis or cure ?
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I have the same problem having a steroid injection tomorrow, apparently it's something called an inflamed bursa
I will tell you what it is I just found mine last night.  check your elbows and if you have a mass in there it is probably scar tissue thing is mine radiates down my forearms like a broom and pushed my tissue up into my arm causing me to have ripples around my arm like an armband.  This has been going on for the past 40 years.  I too have lumps under my arms the tissues are tangled with the elbows growing out of place changing the alignment in our ENTIRE BODIES creating diamonds of connective tissue because it is being separated

I have been to 21 doctors the last 2 months hunting down my pain in my shoulders that are being pulled off the tendons but told it is in my head

********

The doctors have refused to examine me nor touch me.  When I say I have shoulder pain they should examine and palpitate the arms

We don't need more xrays we need our tissues imaged yet you say scar tissue/tissue/fascia and their eyes glaze over with stupidity

Damn right I am mad simple fixes yet lifelong problems with lazy rich doctors who think they are God whom are really Satan in disguise micro slowly killing us

What the hell are doctors studying these days????

NOTHING

Making a dollar off of us and refusing proper healthcare

We need a fully body scanning machine that indicated where we are locked up and printout appropriate doctors to choose from depending on the insurance you have

IT IS NOT THAT HARD

************/madscientist
Avatar universal
I don't know if this is the best answer but I use Topricin every night to get sleep and have been taking black cherry juice Evey morning and the pain is getting less after a year of unbelievable pain!!!!My right arm was damaged at work and I went to using my left arm to do most anything but I would still use my right arm even though the pain would make me cry.I will try the exercise with full motion but I still use my left arm to even drink with my right arm. Try the Topricin it isn't cheap but it has been a life saver!!! I don't just back up anything unless it really works and it does and I can get some sleep. Make sure you do the arm and the shoulder. If you have gout or arthritis black cherry juice concentrate works wonders doctors don't want you to know but if it works you will know very fast that it is working. Thanks and I am going to sleep!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had the EXACT same symptoms for approximately 2 years now...not only is it extremely painful at night while lying down trying to sleep, but it basically aches most of the the time and sometimes makes it impossible to bend my arms back or up to reach for something...the docs wouldn't send me for an MRI and I too, cannot find any answers on the web.....
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I cannot believe IBut  am reading all these comments that many of them I could have written ver batum.
My right arm pain started about 4 months ago, and has been with me nearly every day since.  I went to chiro and he told me it was tendonitis. Told me to use ice on for 20, off for 20, yada yada....but I started losing strength in my arm and now, since I have started "favoring" it, and lifting, vacuuming, etc with my left arm, the bicep is beginning to atrophy.  I swear, my right arm used to be the strong arm.  Now, looking in the mirror, it has definitely deflated and my left arm looks like I am a body builder in comparison.  THIS scares me.  I am to see my PCP in 3 weeks and am going to ask for MRI.  It's almost like my muscle has died.  And it KILLS me at night....
But....I really think it started with poor posture sitting in bed typing on my laptop.  But who knows?  I have considered trying to exercise it...ie, lifting things....wrong...only makes it hurt worse and depresses me because now I am afraid to pick up my grandbabies.  I am 61, female, and have always been in good physical shape. But now, my right arm, right bicep, right shoulder that I can hear crackling in the joint, has me really worried.  OTC pain meds don't help and even stronger ones don't help.  I just hope this can be diagnosed and I can get my strength built back up with no more pain.  The night pain is unbearable, but when I wake up, it's gone...but it comes back quickly after I get up.  I have read some very good things on this thread.  Going to write many of the various diagnoses down to read to my doctor.  Hurting RIGHT NOW as I type!  Good luck to us all with this annoying and frightening (to me) aillment!
Avatar universal
I started having the exact same arm pain first in my right arm then a couple months later in my left arm.  I thought I tore my bicept in half it hurt so bad.  I was already getting acupuncture for other things so started having needles done on my right arm.  When they really didn't have an effect I went to my reg dr. and he ordered an xray to be done of both arms.  They didn't see anything on the xrays but something funny in the left arm so he ordered an mri.  After the mri  I went to a specialist who told me I had shoulder impingements.  The bursa sac in my shoulders where inflamed and they were also pinching the nerves running down my arms.  They told me it was caused by sleeping on my side.  They told me to do pt to help.  I went twice and what they had me doing hurt worse than the arm pain and I have slept on my side my entire life so it didn't just start hurting at age 57.  I did however get invisiline braces 2 years ago so my jaw was changed quickly.  My acupuncturist and I both believe that this has led to the shoulder movements.  I now go to a doctor of osteopathy and my right arm is feeling much better.  My left arm is still giving me fits but not as bad.  I get needles in it probably every 3-4 weeks and then the dr of osteo works on it once a month.  I don't take anything for pain.  If it really hurts I use ice for 20 minutes then off for 20 then on for 20 and take otc pain reliever.  I haven't had to do this for months so I am hoping I am on the road to recovery with the left arm like the right arm is.  Hooking my bra is the worst and I saw someone else say reaching out the car window, yes that hurts still.  I can feel the bursa sacs and the fluid in them.  I also will hold down on the points that hurt until the pain subsides.  I don't rub I kinda push through it.  Hope this helps.  I highly suggest acupuncture, but please find a medically trained acupuncturist.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I highly recommend seeking a chiropractor, this sounds more like a nerve issue and you could have swelling in your brachial plexus. A chiropractor can manipulate muscles and nerves and at times relieve a great deal of pain! Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have an answer!! I went to a physiotherapist and he told me it was a result of years of bad posture! He gave me exercises to do and how I am pain free! I urge you to try it! I suffered 3 years with the pain and finally I can move on!
Helpful - 0
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