iffy cramp in bicep, can't fully extend arm

had my fair share of injuries and cramp before but never to this extent. hadnt been to the gym for a month or so, so i guess i'd lost a bit of power and strength in my arms but i didn't really over do it. was fine during the exercise (saturday) and afterwards too but next morning my right arm seems to be a bit more swollen than my left arm and i can't fully straighten my arm due to a real tightness and pain in the bicep (not tricep however). putting my arms up by my side (like a crucifix shape) with my palms facing upwards my left arm is essentially perpendicular to the side of my body but my right up is facing upwards about 30 degrees from my elbow to my hand.

i'd have put it down to simple cramp but it's never done this before.

anyone else had this? if it's something simple i'll just put up with it until it goes away but if its a more serious injury that needs looked at then it would be good to know :biggrin:

Reply 1

dh00001

16

sounds abit like its strained. maybe a pulled muscle.
is there any discolouration?

Reply 2

technik

OP

13

dh00001

sounds abit like its strained. maybe a pulled muscle.
is there any discolouration?

nope which is why i was wondering. saying that i pull muscles in my legs the odd time, usually calf, and it usually throbs for a few minutes and then is sore like this for a day or two but then is perfect again so maybe it is just that.

just feels like the muscle isn't able to stretch enough to extend my arm. really have to push on my arm to straighten it.

Reply 3

yellow96

15

Is there any chance that you damaged your arm outside the gym, or it somehow got bitten by an insect? It's a little unusual that one arm is so much more affected than the other when you tend to work both equally at the gym.

Reply 4

dh00001

16

technik

just feels like the muscle isn't able to stretch enough to extend my arm. really have to push on my arm to straighten it.

could be tendon damage.
see your gp for some anti-inflamitorys and see if they will aid in any other way / diagnose fully.

in the mean time; ice and rest :smile:

Reply 5

technik

OP

13

Thelfo

Is there any chance that you damaged your arm outside the gym, or it somehow got bitten by an insect? It's a little unusual that one arm is so much more affected than the other when you tend to work both equally at the gym.

dunno. dont think so.

i'm completely left sided though..., so when i've ever broke a wrist, tore ligaments, or done this, it's been in my right arm or right leg :biggrin:

Reply 6

technik

OP

13

dh00001

could be tendon damage.
see your gp for some anti-inflamitorys and see if they will aid in any other way / diagnose fully.

in the mean time; ice and rest :smile:

i'll give it another few days. my left arm and my chest has a little cramp in it too from the work out but not as messed up as my right bicep is.

Reply 7

shauny

It could just be DOMS - Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness. In other words the soreness you feel (about 24 hours) after exercise.

I reckon it's just that. It's caused by the microtrauma (tiny tears in muscle fibre) you cause in the muscles during training - this happens when you force the muscle to lift a weight it's not used to (or more reps with the same weight). This is what you want, and naturally these little tears cause it to be a bit sore.

..shauny

iffy cramp in bicep, can't fully extend arm

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