Weakness in the arms

Weakness in the arms in the morning often occurs simply because the sleeping position is not entirely suitable for the upper limbs, for example, if a person has slept for a long time with his hand under his head, which leads to a disruption of normal blood flow.

But constant weakness in the arms, which is observed over a fairly long period of time, can be a sign of serious health problems.

Causes of weakness in the arm

In modern clinical medicine, muscle weakness in the arms, as well as weakness and numbness of the arms, are considered a sign of a wide range of pathological conditions, primarily associated with diseases of the muscular, vascular, and nervous systems. In addition, this symptom manifests itself in metabolic disorders, endocrine pathologies, etc.

Very often, the causes of weakness in the arm are domestic, industrial or sports injuries. Thus, with a severe dislocation of the shoulder joint, the roots or the entire bundle of nerves of the brachial plexus experience traumatic effects, as a result of which the innervation of individual muscles of the arm is disrupted, and then weakness of the hands and weakness in the fingers is felt. Weakness in the arm and limitation of movement are the consequences of a rupture of the tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint, etc.

Dizziness and weakness in the arms occur with craniocerebral injuries - due to disturbances in the motor centers of the cerebral cortex. And numbness and weakness in the arms during pregnancy is considered a consequence of toxicosis and, in fact, is nothing more than alimentary avitaminosis neuropathy, which appears due to a lack of B vitamins in the body - with frequent vomiting in pregnant women.

But why does weakness in the arms occur with a calcium deficiency in the body? Because calcium is responsible not only for the strength of our bones, but also ensures the transmission of excitatory nerve impulses and muscle contraction.

Sudden weakness in the arms, as well as rapidly increasing acute weakness in the arms and numbness (most often - one arm), which are accompanied by headache, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, as well as nausea, vomiting and loss of consciousness, are classic signs of acute cerebrovascular accident - ischemic stroke. Weakness in the left arm (and speech impairment) is observed with a right-sided stroke. And weakness in the right arm is characteristic of a stroke in the left hemisphere of the brain.

Among the causes of constant weakness in the arms, tingling, partial loss of skin sensitivity and movement disorders, some neurologists put degenerative-dystrophic injuries of the spinal cord, various in etiology, associated with its compression, that is, squeezing, in first place.

In particular, due to compression of the lower cervical spinal nerves, weakness in the arm is felt with osteochondrosis. Approximately the same situation occurs with cervical spondylosis - a pathology of the spine caused by ossification and proliferation of tissues adjacent to the vertebrae (such growths are called osteophytes). Experts also include cervical radiculopathy (radiculitis), which develops as a result of prolonged compression of the nerve with a hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral discs. In addition to pinching of axons (nerve fibers), there is compression of the epidural spinal tissues and blood vessels, which also causes complaints such as weakness and numbness of the arms, and the arm muscles begin to involuntarily twitch chaotically (doctors call this phenomenon myoclonus). Similar symptoms are seen in Kylo-Nevin syndrome, a compression syndrome of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve in the wrist area.

Weakness in the shoulders and arms develops in cases of muscle dystrophy: Aran-Duchenne muscular atrophy, in the late stages of progressive myopathic Kurschmann-Steinert syndrome, Landouzy-Dejerine myopathy (scapulohumeral-facioscapulohumeral dystrophy), Emery-Dreifuss dystrophy.

Weakness in the arms and tingling are characteristic of autoimmune diseases: multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome (or Landry-Guillain-Barré polyneuropathy), lateral amyotrophic sclerosis (motor neuron disease or Charcot's disease). If the cause of the incurable Charcot's disease is damage to motor neurons in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord, then the etiology of multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome is based on a violation of the integrity of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. Many patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus also experience muscle weakness in the arms.

Such signs are present in vascular pathologies: damage to the aortic arch and its branches that feed the upper limbs; nodular periarteritis - vasculitis of medium and small vessels; inflammation of the vessels of the hands (Buerger's disease). And weakness and cold hands are characteristic of Raynaud's syndrome, in which patients have significantly increased sensitivity of the fingers to cold.

Pain and weakness in the hand appear when the joints of the hands are affected - arthritis and arthrosis (with arthritis, the joints hurt at rest, with arthrosis - during movement).

There are many reasons for weakness and tremors in the hands. Thus, weakness in the hands and tremors are observed in neurological pathology - primary essential tremor of old age, as well as in multiple sclerosis, Wilson's disease, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemic syndrome (low blood glucose levels) and tick-borne encephalitis.

It should be added to all of the above that the causes of weakness in the arm may be directly related to:

• anterior scalene muscle syndrome (scalenus syndrome), that is, compression of the lower roots of the brachial plexus and the artery passing under the collarbone by this muscle;
• neuritis (inflammation) of the four main nerves (axillary, radial, ulnar and median) that provide innervation to the upper limbs;
• carpal tunnel syndrome - compression of the medial nerve of the forearm in the carpal canal;
• stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal;
• the presence of malignant tumors or metastases of breast cancer, lung cancer, brain and spinal cord tumors.

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Symptoms of weakness in the arms

The most common symptoms of arm weakness include:

• decreased muscle tone;
• rapid fatigue of the hands with little physical effort;
• stiffness of the hands in the morning (with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome);
• paresthesia (feeling of crawling ants, tingling of the fingertips);
• periodic or constant pain in the joints or muscles of the hand, forearm and shoulder of the affected arm, as well as in the neck area;
• varying degrees of reduction in the volume and amplitude of movements;
• decreased sensitivity of the fingers or hand on the palm or back (depending on the location of the innervation disorder);
• impaired skin sensitivity of the hands and decreased skin temperature (cold hands);
• tremor (shaking hands);
• involuntary movements of the hands (in cases of central paralysis and brain injuries).
• partial muscular atrophy.

Treatment of weakness in the arms

In order to treat weakness in the arms, it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, on which the treatment tactics depend – symptomatic or etiological.

If weakness and numbness of the hands are due to arthritis or osteochondrosis, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with an analgesic effect are prescribed, for example, Ibuprofen (Ibuprex, Brufen, Ibupron, Nurofen, etc.): 1-2 tablets (0.2-0.4 g) three times a day; the maximum daily dose is 1.2 g. The tablets are taken whole, before meals, with water. The duration of treatment should not exceed a week. Ibuprofen, like almost all NSAIDs prescribed for this pathology (Nimesil, Indomethacin, Piroxicam, Artrocid, etc.), can cause side effects: nausea, heartburn, problems with stool, headaches. The drug cannot be used in the presence of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, blood diseases, liver or kidney dysfunction, as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

Weakness in the arms and tingling (paresthesia), for example, in ischemic stroke or Raynaud's syndrome, suggest the need to improve blood circulation and activate tissue metabolism. And for this purpose, neurologists use angioprotective drugs. Thus, Pentoxifylline (Trental, Vazonit, Pentilin) is often prescribed - 100 mg tablets and 2% injection solution. The tablets are taken 2-3 times a day - 2 tablets, after meals. Intravenously (drip or jet) 100-600 ml of Pentoxifylline is administered (1-2 times a day - depending on the condition). Side effects may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, intestinal disorders, stomach pain, decreased blood pressure. This drug is not used to treat patients with atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and decreased blood clotting.

In cases of ischemic strokes of the brain, as well as traumatic brain injuries, the nootropic drug Piracetam (Nootropil, Piratam, Pyrroxil, Cyclocetam, etc.) is prescribed, which helps regulate the conduction of impulses in the brain, activates tissue metabolism and improves cerebral circulation. Piracetam tablets (0.2 g) or capsules (0.4 g) are supposed to be taken before meals - 0.8 g three times a day; then the dosage is reduced to 0.4 per dose - twice a day. The course of treatment can last from three weeks to six months.

Weakness in the arms and tremor are treated with pharmacological agents that affect the sympathetic nervous system and block adrenaline receptors, as well as anticonvulsant drugs. Topiramate (Maxitopir, Topalepsin, Topamax, etc.) is intended for the treatment of epilepsy, but due to its neuroprotective effect, it relieves tremor well - by activating the inhibitory neural (GABAergic) system of the central nervous system and blocking the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system. Prescribed at 25-50 mg twice a day.

Betaferon - interferon beta-1b - is used to treat weakness in the arms in multiple sclerosis - by subcutaneous injections. Physiotherapy - electrophoresis, phonophoresis with painkillers - is also often used for symptomatic treatment of pain.

Surgical methods of treating the pathologies in question are also used – according to such indications as the intensity of pain (if it cannot be relieved by medications and physical therapy), the rate of progression of muscle weakness in the arms, the degree of reduction in the functional capabilities of the limb, and the presence of signs of spinal cord compression.

Most often, operations are performed for herniated intervertebral discs, removal of osteophytes in cervical spondylosis, tunnel syndromes in the wrist area, rupture of the tendons of the shoulder joint, stenosis of the spinal canal, etc. Surgical reconstruction of damaged nerve trunks is performed, and angioplasty is used to restore the conductivity of blood vessels in the event of their narrowing.

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that, given the presence of such a wide "range" of reasons for the development of such a symptom as weakness in the arms, seeking qualified medical help is the only way to maintain health. In this case, it is literally in your hands.