This section deals with pain in the upper limb unrelated to joint pains. The majority of causes of arm pain are related to either neurological or vascular lesions. Musculoskeletal causes of arm pain are covered in the chapter on Joint Disorders (p. 267). Cervical Lesions Figure 4 A trans-axial image showing a right-sided acute disc bulge at C6–C7 level, which is compressing the C7 nerve root in the exit foramen (arrow).
Arm Pain
Causes
The patient will experience pain in the right arm radiating into the middle finger (dermatomal distribution of C7) and weakness of extension of the elbow (weak triceps-myotomal distribution of C7). There will be a reduced or absent triceps reflex.
