Arm Problems, Noninjury: Check Your Symptoms
When to See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:Do you have pain or a cramp in your arm?
See significance of pain or a cramp if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
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Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
- Yes
Do you have severe pain?
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Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Do you have moderate pain that is getting worse?
Do you have ongoing arm pain that is getting worse?
Do you have a muscle cramp that has not gotten better after 4 hours of home treatment?
Is a young child carefully protecting or refusing to use his or her arm?
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You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Have your muscle cramps occurred more often or gotten worse during the last 24 hours or longer?
Do you have moderate pain that has not gotten better after 24 hours of home treatment?
Do you have mild pain when you move or lift your arm, and it has not gotten better after 48 hours of home treatment?
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You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
Do you have mild, steady pain without other symptoms, and the pain has not gotten better after 1 week of home treatment?
Do you have muscle cramps that get better with home treatment but keep coming back (without other symptoms and without getting worse)?
Have you had cramps on and off for 2 weeks or longer with no other symptoms?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Last updated: | July 28, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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