Treatment
The treatment of pain depends on the cause. In general, it is important to protect and immobilize the upper arm. Here the so-called PECH rule can be applied.
This describes first measures after an injury. Muscle inflammation or tears logically require much shorter immobilization than fractures. In the case of a fracture, such immobilization can be supported by a plaster cast or splint.
In any case, the administration of painkillers is indicated. This can be in the form of tablets, ointments or injections. Painkillers from the substance group NSAR (“non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”) are particularly suitable, as they relieve both pain and inflammation.
In the case of inflammatory causes, active ingredients such as Diclofenac, Ibuprofen or ASS are therefore very helpful.The pain ointment Voltaren®, for example, contains the active ingredient diclofenac. However, painkillers such as paracetamol or Novalgin® can also be effective for sole pain treatment without inflammatory processes. Other drugs can be antibiotics, for example in the case of bursitis caused by a bacterial infection.
Viral shingles can also be treated with an antiviral drug such as Aciclovir. As a further conservative measure, a positive effect of acupuncture for nerve pain is reported. Physiotherapeutic treatment always makes sense if mobility is limited for a longer period of time or if a careful habituation to reloading after immobilization is necessary.
This would be the case with more severe muscle lesions and fractures of the upper arm. Depending on the cause, surgical treatment for pain in the upper arm may also be necessary. In the case of complicated fractures, for example, these have to be treated surgically using osteosyntheses. In the case of a severe muscle tear, the torn tendons must be sutured together again in a surgical procedure. In the end, the treatment concept is therefore largely determined by the exact cause of the pain.
Duration of pain
It is not possible to make a general statement about the duration of pain in the outer upper arm. The duration varies enormously depending on the cause of the pain. Harmless causes can be accompanied by a very short healing period, while more serious illnesses or damage can lead to months of pain.
With aching muscles as the pain trigger, those affected usually suffer from their complaints for only a few days. A pulled muscle only lasts a few days longer. The same applies, for example, to bursitis.
If, for example, torn muscles, fractures or shingles are responsible for the pain in the outer upper arm, the healing process can take several weeks to months. Affected patients certainly have a great influence on the duration. Following prescribed therapeutic measures, patience and optimism have a positive effect on the healing process.
