What Causes Occasional Burning And Stinging Pain In Right Forearm?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having occasional burning, stinging pain in my right forearem. There are n no s visible marks. Has happened a few weeks ago and again this morning. When it happens its like my arm and fingers of that side are stiffmsuch as when having charliehorse/ cramps. Area is painful to the touch now.

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

So from your description there are paresthesias (abnormal sensations), allodynia (pain on normally non-painful stimuli like touch) and cramping in the forearm.

Those symptoms may be in the setting of a nerve compression. It can be a peripheral nerve compression like ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, or a compression of a nerve root higher up in the neck, but the latter is less likely as there are usually other symptoms higher up than the forearm.
Another possible cause may be a vascular one, lack of blood flow due to narrowing of an artery, but that is uncommon in the upper limb and at your age with no other medical conditions. However the presence of the pulse, no changes in the skin can easily exclude it.

For the nerve compression hypothesis to be confirmed a neurological visit to check for other possible signs and an exam called nerve conduction studies/electromyography are recommended, both to confirm the diagnosis as well as identify the location based on the area involved and the changes on the exam.

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar