Right arm swelling during race?

I would see a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

A quick google search shows some pretty scary possibilities. 

Here is an article that covers a couple possibilities

Not trying to scare you, but better safe then sorry.

I agree with seeing a doctor, but the things on the list aren't THAT scary. It's almost certainly NOT lymphedema.

There may be a few things at work here, but one of the more common things that causes unilateral arm swelling (or worse, arm DVTs) is something called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It basically is caused by the veins draining blood from the arm getting squished between the scalene muscles at the base of your neck/thoracic outlet, usually due in part to a congenital narrowing. It's usually brought on by strenuous activity.

Lymphedema is much less likely because that usually happens at rest, is more painful, and isn't brought on by exertion.

I would definitely have your arm looked at by a doctor, and ideally they should refer you to a vascular specialist. It may be a subtle sign of a narrowing in the arm vein that can be easily treated before it becomes a bigger problem, i.e. a clot in the arm veins.

There are other possibilities too, all of which are best sorted out by a doc who's seeing you and talking to you, not some yahoo like me on the internet.

Here's a link to a page on thoracic outlet syndrome, its types, and potential treatments. Again, not saying you have it, but it should be investigated.

http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Thoracic_Outlet_Syndrome.html

GO SEE A DOCTOR.

Not saying you have what I had but swelling was one of my big warning signs that something was wrong.  Another mild sign was having my arms go to "sleep" quickly if I raised my hand in class for example...

I had significant swelling in my right arm right before I found out I had DVT (deep vein thrombosis/ blood clot) in the subclavian vein.  It was in advance stages.  The clot was caused by Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS - pinching off of the vein and artery into the arm caused by the muscle tissue and the first rib) which I've had my whole life but was diagnosed with until age 20 (time of the clot).

TOS is a common condition and is rarely to the extreme that I had it....but it does happen.

If it turns out this is what you have (long shot I know but still) definately PM me.  I had a fantastic surgeon.  He is the reason I could finish my collegete swimming career and why I can continue to be active in endurance sports today.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out!

Yours is a different issue entirely, I think...

Has this bothered you your whole life, or is it a new thing? Is it ever painful? Do your feet/ankles get tired/achy/etc if you're standing for a long time?

PM me if you want, but if it continues to bug you I'd ask for a referral to a vascular surgeon as well--we see lots of lymphedema, venous insufficiency, etc. etc.. We're pretty much the guys/gals for swollen limbs.

In the mean time, you could try a pair of compression socks--they've been around a lot longer than they've been popular in tri-land, and they do a good job with this problem...


Edited by DrPete 2009-08-11 7:47 PM

Please make sure that if there's any question you get referred to a vascular specialist for further evaluation. TOS is one of those problems that WAY too many primary care types write off as nothing/no big deal, and the long term consequences of not treating it appropriately can be devastating, especially to an athlete.

Here's a place to start if you need help finding one... Or, if you're active duty military and somewhere near DC, drop me a PM and I'll be happy to see you.

http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/Member_Search/Physician_Search.html

Edited by DrPete 2009-08-12 10:31 AM