New onset radiating arm pain can be life-threatening if it is due to a heart attack and must be ruled out emergently.
Radiating arm pain can be extremely disabling and can be associated with numbness and weakness.
There are many possible causes: heart issues, shoulder problems, bones spurs pinching nerves in the neck, disc herniation pinching nerves in the neck, muscle spasms, nerve entrapment, inflammation of a nerve, etc.
Diagnosis
The success of treatment options depend on an accurate diagnosis, using a combination of but not limited to: physical exam, x-ray, CT scan, MRI, diagnostic injections, and EMG investigation.
Treatment
If the problems stems from the neck, treatment options include therapy, strengthening, steroids, creams, anti-inflammatories, neuro-modulating medicine, muscle relaxants, injections, surgical decompression, surgical fusion, or surgical disc replacement. A custom treatment plan is recommended for each and every patient.