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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sharp Pain In The Right Arm?

i am having very sharp pain in my rt arm. from shoulder to wrist. i can sleep a little at night, but the pain is so severe in the am , i have to hold my arm up in the back of my head and it takes abt 2 hours for the pain to subside when i get up in the a.m, the i have very goo dmobility in that arm.during the day. does this sound like burcitus?
Fri, 11 Nov 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi there,

Bursitis typically worsens with activity, and the pain is usually quite localised in the area where it is inflamed. I am thinking more towards either polymyalgia rheumatica, or a nerve impingement. However, nerve impingements will typically improve with rest, not with activity.

What you have sounds a bit more like polymyalgia rheumatica. Classically it is felt in the shoulders, but can involve any large muscles. The pain and stiffness is usually worse with prolonged periods of rest. This means that you feel it worse in the early mornings when you wake up, and during your sleep, but improves as you go about your daily activities.

You would need to see a rheumatologist to confirm this, because you might need long term follow-up to control the symptoms. It usually responds better to steroids like prednisolone than other normal medication like anti-inflammatories.

Hope this helps, and all the best to you.

Regards,
Dr. Teh
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What Causes Sharp Pain In The Right Arm?

Hi there, Bursitis typically worsens with activity, and the pain is usually quite localised in the area where it is inflamed. I am thinking more towards either polymyalgia rheumatica, or a nerve impingement. However, nerve impingements will typically improve with rest, not with activity. What you have sounds a bit more like polymyalgia rheumatica. Classically it is felt in the shoulders, but can involve any large muscles. The pain and stiffness is usually worse with prolonged periods of rest. This means that you feel it worse in the early mornings when you wake up, and during your sleep, but improves as you go about your daily activities. You would need to see a rheumatologist to confirm this, because you might need long term follow-up to control the symptoms. It usually responds better to steroids like prednisolone than other normal medication like anti-inflammatories. Hope this helps, and all the best to you. Regards, Dr. Teh