What Causes Shoulder And Arm Pain Radiating To Fingers?

Posted on Fri, 26 Jun 2015

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

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 Answered on

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having shoulder and arm pain which comes till my fingers. It is mild to moderate and comes on and off. I also have mild chest discomfort. My EKG, TMT, echo and lipid profile all were normal. I am 27 years old, quit smoking one year back after smoking half a pack for 3 years. I suffer from indigestion and acidity too, and had gastritis last year. What can be causing my pain, is it heart related or nerve or anxiety?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nerve related

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The pain you are describing is very typical of a cervical cord lesion where pain is seen from shoulder till the fingers. Here is what your should do

1. Get a CT of the cervical spine done soon
2. Meet an orthopedic doctor regarding this pain after your CT
3. Most likely the spinal cord at the cervical level is getting compressed leading to this type of pain

I usually prescribe Tab Baclofen, it gives good relief but the main side effect is excess drowsiness. Please speak to your doctor regarding this.

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (18 hours later)

Hi Doctor,
I am just worried if this can be heart related. The pain comes and goes through the day and I also feel tingling sensation in my back around shoulder area. What worries me is that left arm pain is also related to cardiac issues. The pain is dull and sometimes it is on left side on neck as well. I am also having palpitations randomly. Pain is mostly felt in upper shoulder and arm and sometimes lower arm and my ring and pinky finger.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not heart related

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my reply. I was on call at my hospital.

It is not a heart related issue simply because it would have been accompanied by chest pain which you dont have. Also patients tend to have pain which increases on exertion and relieves on taking rest.

The pain you are describing is typical of pain originating because of nerve compression at the neck. Please get it evaluated soon

I am sure you have doubts, please feel free to write back

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (38 hours later)

Hi,
Last night me pain was bad and woke me up. II went to hospital in the morning and the doctor said it is cervical related.
Separately I bumped my head into glass wall yesterday, it has been 24 hours. I am having tingling in back, is it related to previous issue or can it be concussion. I have no nausea or vomiting etc.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not concussion

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for updating me

I am sorry you bumped your head, it must have been very painful. Tingling in the back is not related to hitting the head. People with concussion tend to have very severe headache and also other symptoms like blurring of vision, vomiting etc.

Did you get to meet the orthopedician regarding the cervical issue? Please do not ignore it for too long

Regards

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