Left-hand pain typically involves an aching sensation, discomfort, or soreness in the left hand or arm. It may stem from issues related to bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, or soft tissues. The severity of the pain can vary, resolving on its own in some cases or requiring medical treatment in others. If the pain persists, remains untreated, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it can significantly affect your quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to explore the common causes of left-hand pain, recognise warning signs, and understand the diagnostic methods and treatment options available.
What Causes Left Hand Pain?
Listed below are some common reasons why you might be experiencing left-hand pain:
- Trauma or Injury: An accident, fall, or sudden impact (with a hard surface or while playing a sport) might lead to a fracture, muscle pull, or torn ligament and cause pain in the left hand.
- Excessive Strain: Overuse of the left hand or arm for most activities might cause pain as well.
- Tendinitis: Repetitive usage of the wrist, elbow, or shoulder in the left arm might inflame the cords that connect bones to muscles, causing tenderness, swelling, and pain.
- Improper Circulation: Left arm pain might also occur if the normal blood flow is interrupted due to some sort of pressure. Numbness or a tingling sensation might often accompany the pain.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Pain and numbness in the left hand or arm can also result from damage to a nerve in the peripheral nervous system (outside the spinal cord and brain). Additionally, if the spinal canal in the neck narrows, it may cause nerve compression, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
- Angina: If there is a drop in the blood flow to your heart, you might experience left arm pain as well as discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or shoulder region. The cause is generally a spasm or partial obstruction in the arteries that leads to the heart muscle. Note that a sudden pain that becomes severe quickly might indicate a heart attack.
- Arthritis: If this disease attacks the joints of your left hand or arm, you are likely to experience tenderness, pain, and swelling. Arthritis usually starts by wearing down the cartilage that caps the joint bones or their lining.
- Ganglion Cysts: These are oval or round lumps that usually develop on the back of the wrist and are filled with fluid. The cause is not known yet.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: You experience this disorder and associated pain when the median nerve in your wrist’s carpal tunnel gets compressed due to arthritis, repetitive movements, or metabolic or hormonal changes.
- Lupus: In this autoimmune ailment, your immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues, cells, and joints, leading to inflammation and pain.
- Diabetes: Exposure to high glucose levels in the blood for a long period can cause nerve damage and sharp pain (often tingling or burning) in the left arm or hand.
What are the Symptoms of Left Hand Pain?
Though the exact symptoms might vary based on the cause, left hand pain is usually characterised by the following:
- A sharp or dull pain
- A feeling of numbness or tingling sensation
- Inflammation or swelling
- Weakness of muscles
- Difficulty in holding or gripping objects
- Stiffness or limited movement
- Alteration in skin temperature or colour
Never be afraid to get medical help right away if you face the following situations:
- Met with a serious trauma or injury or heard a snap or crack
- Cannot move your arm or hand normally
- Have severe pain and inflammation
- Cannot get relief after rest, ice application, or elevation
- Experience sudden pain in the shoulder, chest, arm, and back, along with chest pressure
- Find symptoms like pain, redness, or swelling worsening
How to Diagnose Left Hand Pain?
Pain in the left hand can occur for various reasons, as discussed above. A medical professional may suggest a range of tests to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition to reviewing your medical history and performing a physical examination, they may recommend further diagnostic procedures:
- X-ray: In this, high-energy electromagnetic radiation aids in detecting bone fractures or joint problems.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Radio waves and magnetic fields are leveraged in this test to produce in-depth images of the body’s problem area.
- Blood Tests: The doctor might recommend these to spot any systemic problem that might be causing the left arm or hand pain.
- Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves are used to create images of the problem area and diagnose compression-related pain, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Electromyography (EMG): An electrode needle is inserted into your muscles in this test to assess their electrical activity. This way, EMG helps in detecting any damage in the nerves that lead to the muscles.
- Nerve Conduction Study: This study involves the application of a small dose of current to measure nerve impulses and spot any damaged nerve in the process.
Available Treatment Options for Left Hand Pain
Treatment of left hand pain is largely dependent on the exact cause behind it as well as the symptoms you experience. Given below are some common treatment methods:
- Rest
- Using cold or hot packs (especially helpful in arthritis and injuries from repetitive movements)
- Medications or injections for managing pain and inflammation
- Exercises for pain management (recommended often for carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Physical therapy (often suggested for arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, injury from repetitive strain)
- Occupational therapy (helpful in cases of pinched nerve, tendinitis, rotator cuff tear)
- Bracing or splinting (common treatment options for strains, sprains, acute injuries, swelling, dislocations, fractures)
- Surgery (might be necessary for serious fractures, heart diseases, acute arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts)
- Lifestyle changes (for prevention of further strain or injury)
Conclusion
Pain in the left hand can be caused by various factors, including strain, trauma, arthritis, lupus, ganglion cysts, or even angina. If you notice any alarming symptoms, seek medical help promptly to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. It's also important to have a health insurance policy that provides adequate financial coverage for treatments, whether they involve medications, therapy, or surgery. This ensures you can receive the best possible care and focus on recovery without worrying about hospital bills.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.