Arm Pain

Pediatric HouseCalls Online

DEFINITION

• Pain in the arms
• The pain is not due to a known injury
• Minor muscle strain and overuse injury are covered in this topic

Causes

• Arm pains are unusual
• Main Causes: Strained muscles from overuse injury (e.g., excessive throwing or swimming)
• Brief pains (1 to 15 minutes) are usually due to muscle spasms. These are rare and usually follow prolonged writing.
• Continuous acute pains (hours to 3 days) are usually due to overstrenuous activities or forgotten muscle injuries during the preceding day. These are most common in the shoulder area. 
• Mild muscle aches also occur with many viral illnesses.
• Serious Causes: fractures, arthritis, neuritis

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Follows injury, see ARM INJURY

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If

• Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Swollen joint
• Bright red area on skin
• Muscle weakness or can't use arm
• Numbness (loss of sensation) present over 1 hour
• Severe pain or cries when arm touched or moved

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Fever is present
• Painful joint and can’t move it normally

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Cause of arm pain is uncertain
• Arm pain present over 7 days
• Arm pains or muscle cramps are a recurrent chronic problem

Parent Care at Home If

• Caused by strained muscles from excessive use.
• Cause is obvious and harmless (e.g., sliver that's removed, a recent shot).

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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR OVERUSE INJURY (STRAINED MUSCLES)

1. Reassurance:
   • Strained muscles are very common following vigorous activity (overuse injury) (e.g., repeatedly throwing a ball). We can treat them at home. 
   • Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the sore muscles for 20 minutes several times on the first 2 days.
2. Pain: For pain relief, give acetaminophen every 4 hours OR ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. (See Dosage table) 
3. Hot Bath: If stiffness persists over 48 hours, have your child relax in a hot bath for 20 minutes 2 times per day, and gently exercise the involved part under water.
4. Expected Course:  A strained muscle hurts for 2 or 3 days. The pain often peaks on day 2. Following severe overuse, the pain may last a week.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Swollen joint or fever occurs 
   • Pain caused by work or exercise persists over 7 days
   • Pain becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 7/15/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online

Copyright 1994-2009 Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.