Arm Problems, Noninjury: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Is your arm swelling?

See significance of swelling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does the skin on your arm look pale, white, or blue, or feel cold?

Yes

Do you have swelling across two large joints, such as from below the elbow to above the shoulder, and the swelling has come on within the last 4 hours?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had slowly increasing swelling across two large joints?

Yes

Do you have ongoing arm swelling that is getting worse?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have moderate swelling after 48 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had mild swelling without other symptoms, and it has not gotten better after 2 weeks of home treatment?

Yes

Have you had long-term swelling that has been checked by your doctor, but the swelling has not gotten better or followed the expected course?

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