General information
Pain in the upper arm is not uncommon. The upper arm (also called humerus) extends from the shoulder joint to the elbow. There are different muscles on the upper arm, which can be roughly divided into flexor and extensor muscles.
The flexors (flexors) are located at the front, the extensors are located at the back of the upper arm. Injuries and strain on these muscles can of course lead to pain in the upper arm. Fractures of the upper arm bone (humerus) are also painful.
But other muscles are also significantly involved in the movements of the upper arm, namely the shoulder muscles of the so-called rotator cuff. Here, too, upper arm pain can have its origin, for example. The possible causes of upper arm pain are explained in more detail below.
Causes
The causes of pain in the back of the upper arm can be many and varied. Anatomically, the so-called extensors are located on the back of the upper arm. A muscular cause of the pain is therefore usually due to the extensor muscles.
The most prominent muscle there is the triceps. But muscles from the rotator cuff, which are mainly responsible for shoulder mobility, can also cause pain that radiates to the back of the upper arm. Typically, this pain is caused by overloading the muscle groups.
For example, unusual movements can lead to muscle hardening, strains or torn muscle fibers. Increased strain on the muscles can cause muscle ache. Serious injuries to the muscles, for example due to trauma, can also cause pain.
Other possible causes of pain in the rear upper arm are local irritation and inflammation of the skin. This can be caused by insect bites, allergic skin reactions, etc. A fracture of the humerus can also be indicated by pain on the back of the upper arm.
The muscle triceps brachii is a three-headed muscle located on the back of the upper arm. It originates with one head on the shoulder blade and with the other two heads on the humerus. It continues to the ulna, where all three heads start in a common tendon.
Its task is to extend the arm in the elbow joint and to perform adduction (bringing the arm closer to the body) and retroversion (moving the arm backwards) in the shoulder joint. Injuries and diseases of the triceps can lead to pain in the back of the upper arm. It is often injuries that occur during sports that lead to such complaints of the triceps.
A torn muscle fibre of the triceps manifests itself by a sudden sharp pain. Bleeding and structural changes of the muscle cells can be seen. It is a sports injury, but more often it affects the calf and thigh muscles.
The movement of the muscle remains painful for a long time after a rupture of the muscle fibre and is therefore restricted, i.e. especially the extension of the arm is very painful. A bruise may be visible externally, but this is more likely to be the case with superficial tears. If you suspect a rupture of the muscle fibre, you should first apply the PECH rule (Pause Ice Compression High Bearing), this will alleviate the discomfort.
Gentle treatment is very important. Otherwise, painkillers can be taken for very severe pain. An operation is usually not necessary, as the torn muscle fibre heals by itself.
Only in the case of very severe functional limitations or athletes, surgery may be necessary. A pulled muscle is an inadequate stretching of the muscle. In contrast to a torn muscle fiber, no tears are visible in the muscle.
A muscle strain of the triceps is also a rather rare case. It is a sports injury that can happen especially in bodybuilding or arm wrestling. It typically hurts in the elbow and on the back of the upper arm.
A pulled muscle usually does not require any therapy. However, the arm should be protected and well cooled. The PECH rule is also applied here.
A rupture of the tendon of the triceps occurs rather rarely. In general, strength athletes such as bodybuilders are affected, who put a lot of strain on their muscles. In case of excessive strain or a wrongly executed movement, but of course also after a traumatic injury, the tendon can tear or at least be pulled.The torn tendon makes itself felt as a stabbing pain in the tendon, i.e. in the area of the elbow.
It can, however, continue up to the upper arm. Some patients report a tearing sound when the tendon is torn. If the tendon tears off completely, a dent in the area of the elbow can be seen in the acute stage of the injury.
In addition, the triceps bulges slightly so that it appears swollen and rounded. This function is lost in the event of a complete tear. A hematoma in the area of the elbow may also be seen.
A torn tendon is detected in the physical examination by a thorough inspection of the arm and palpation (palpation) of the tendon. Palpation is painful for the patient. The inspection reveals a swelling, a dent in the area of the tendon and a hematoma.
Imaging procedures such as x-rays, MRI or sonography can also be used. Conservative therapy mainly involves sparing the muscle or immobilising it, for example with a plaster cast. Decongestant measures, i.e. cooling, are also very important.
Pain and inflammation-relieving medication can also be taken. Surgical reinsertion of the tendon is also possible. On average, the healing time is about 6 weeks.
After that, a cautious and slow rebuilding of the original muscle strength should be started. Fractures are bone fractures. Most frequently, fractures of the upper arm occur in young people as a result of heavy falls.
Older people with osteoporosis can suffer a fracture of the bone in light falls. Most humerus fractures occur at the so-called collum chirurgicum. This is a point on the bone just below the joint head.
Such fractures are called proximal. This means “located close to the trunk of the body”. The pain here is characteristically in the upper upper arm and mainly extends into the shoulder.
However, medium fractures (humeral shaft fractures) and distal fractures (located at the lower end of the upper arm) are also possible. The pain extends over the entire upper arm. Bruising can also be seen, depending on where the bone is broken.
If there are cracks or fractures at the back of the bone, bruising appears approximately above the triceps. After a few days, the bruise sinks into the elbow. An upper arm fracture can be recognized by the gentle position of the patient.
He can no longer move his arm properly. X-ray or CT provide information about the exact location of the fracture. For simple humerus fractures, surgery is usually not necessary.
A special bandage is then sufficient to immobilize the arm. In the case of complicated fractures with displaced fracture ends or, for example, bone fragmentation, surgery is necessary to ensure good healing. Depending on the type of fracture, recovery takes between 4 and 8 weeks.
The impingement syndrome is the painful incarceration of the tendon of the supraspinatus muscle, a shoulder muscle. Lifting the arm is painful. The pain extends from the shoulder to the back and the back of the upper arm.
Osteoporosis is a disease affecting the skeletal system. Bone resorption occurs. The bone loses density and stability.
Fractures then occur more frequently. But pain also occurs without fracture. In general, pain in the upper arm can also be caused by osteoporosis. However, this is more likely to occur at an advanced age.
