Why Am I Not Able to Lift my Left Hand?

Can you recall waking up in the middle of the night with an intense pain shooting across your left hand?

You rush to the counter and pop a painkiller and the pain eases for the time being.

However, it keeps coming back.

Some people don’t think twice about this pain, whereas others might freak out, thinking that they are in grave distress.

Well, if you’re someone who has been facing difficulty lifting your left hand, keep reading.

This blog is for you.

Having issues rocking back and forth? Find out why here.

Why Am I Not Able to Lift my Left Hand?

Most people end up with intense pain in their left hand after they’ve participated in certain rigorous activities.

For instance, playing tennis or a heavy workout session that involves weight lifting. 

Have you experienced an accident, or a fracture in your left hand in the past? There is a possibility that the pain has relapsed.

However, the inability to lift your left hand might also point in the direction of underlying health issues that require medical attention.

Reasons Behind The Inability To Lift Your Left Hand

The reason behind your inability to lift your left hand, even beyond your shoulders, can be manifold.

We hope you can tally your symptoms to one of the problems mentioned below and understand the reason behind your inability to lift your hand.

Once you recognize the problem, visit a specialist and get a proper diagnosis!

  1. Sprain

Starting with the most common, as well as the least dangerous, is a sprain or strain in the shoulder or the wrist. Practically, it will be impossible to find a person who has never experienced a sprain before! 

If you have recently hurt your wrist in some way, try to apply a cold compress onto your wrist. You can apply a cold compress for a few days. If the pain persists, seek the help of a medical professional.

  1. Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulder is another discomfort that is widely prevalent among adults as well as children. The medical term for a common frozen shoulder is Adhesive Capsulitis.

Frozen shoulder is caused when the shoulder, (especially the ball and socket joint) has experienced strain. This causes the shoulder to become rigid with little to no movement capacity.

Due to this reason, you might find it immensely difficult to lift your hand.

Although frozen shoulder can happen to anyone, most people with obesity, fluctuating thyroid hormone, and Parkinson’s disease are more prone. This can also become more frequent with age.

  1. Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tear is a serious problem that can make your life a living hell.

Rotating cuffs belong to a class of muscles as well as tendons that hold on to the shoulder joint and provide flexibility to these joints.

A tear in the rotator cuff muscles can cause the tendons that are attached to the humorous bone to loosen up, leading to movement difficulties in the left hand.

Rotator cuff tear can be caused by several reasons, one of the prime reasons being old age.

Sometimes, taking part in rigorous exercises can also cause wear and tear in the muscles, leading to rotator cuff tear. 

If you have a history of acute shoulder injuries, chances are that you might develop rotator cuff tears in the future. Consuming highly nutritious food, rich in protein will ensure muscle strength, reducing the chances of rotator cuff tear.

  1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The human body is made of unique structures and features, the carpal tunnel is one of them.

The carpal tunnel is a special passage situated in the wrist that plays a crucial role in uniting the hand to the rest of the forearm.

The carpal tunnel contains a series of nerves and tendons that connect the wrist to the forearms. If under any circumstance, these nerves get compressed, it might lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. 

A tingly numbness can be felt in the left hand, making it very difficult to lift the hand, even above the shoulder region.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur due to old age or lack of blood flow to the wrists and requires immediate medical attention.

  1. Heart Attack

An intense pain followed by a lack of movement in the left hand can be indicative of a heart attack.

When a particular artery reaching the heart develops a blockage, it constricts the blood flow, thus increasing the blood pressure.

When this blockage in the artery goes undiagnosed for a long period of time, it might lead to myocardial infarction or heart attack.

Symptoms of a heart attack may include-

  • Chest pain, accompanied by intense pain in the left shoulder and left forearm.
  • A tingly sensation in the forearm.
  • Inability to breathe.
  • Lightheadedness

Heart attack can be life-threatening and cannot be treated without proper medical help. If you notice the symptoms of a heart attack in some patients, immediately rush them to the hospital without delay.

  1. Angina Pectoris

Another serious cardiovascular issue that can trigger intense pain and movement problems in the left hand is Angina Pectoris. It is a serious cardiovascular disease that occurs due to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscles.

Due to insufficient oxygen, the muscles that regulate the beating of the heart tire out easily. This can lead to acute chest pain, accompanied by a tight, choking feeling in the heart.

In this case, you should be immediately taken to a doctor as this would require an external oxygen source and proper medication.

  1. Bone Fracture

Another probable reason why you are facing a massive difficulty in lifting your arm can be a bone fracture. Bone fractures in the wrist or even in the forearm can cause intense pain and immobility in the left arm. 

Bone fractures can be caused due to injury, accident, or from falling down and hitting a hard surface! If you have faced any injuries recently, take medical assistance in order to confirm the fracture. You can also opt for a cold compress to relieve the pain momentarily. 

Final Thoughts

We have covered all the possible reasons why you might be facing pain while you are trying to lift your left hand.

If the pain persists and keeps relapsing often, seek medical help and take prescribed medication to ease the pain and discomfort.

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About the author

I have always been a shopaholic. A lot of times my questions went unanswered when it came to retail questions, so I started Talk Radio News. - Caitlyn Johnson

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