Pain in the arm, like cramps, is commonly caused by the following: 1. Soft tissue infection or upper limb joint infection: both can lead to severe local throbbing pain, such as cramp-like sensation. The patient can also show cramp-like pain in one or both upper extremities, accompanied by cervical spine pain and limited cervical spine movement. If the symptoms persist for a long time, it will also lead to muscle atrophy and weakness of the upper limbs. Cramp-like pain in the arm should be diagnosed and treated early to avoid serious adverse consequences.