Why does my IV hurt when I move my arm? A guide to IV discomfort

September 28, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a 2021 review, over one-third of peripheral intravenous catheters fail before treatment is complete, often due to complications that cause pain. If you've been wondering, "Why does my IV hurt when I move my arm?" the answer often lies in these common issues, ranging from minor irritation to more significant problems requiring medical attention.

Quick Summary

Moving your arm can cause pain at an IV site due to several common complications, including the catheter rubbing against the vein wall (phlebitis), fluids leaking into surrounding tissue (infiltration), or the catheter dislodging entirely. Understanding the cause is key to knowing whether the discomfort is normal or a sign of a more serious issue that requires a healthcare provider's assessment.

Key Points

Phlebitis is a key cause: The most common reason for pain when moving your arm is mechanical phlebitis, or inflammation of the vein caused by the IV catheter rubbing against the vein wall.
Movement increases irritation: If the IV is in a high-motion joint like the wrist or elbow, flexing the arm can cause the catheter to scrape the vein, increasing pain and inflammation.
Infiltration causes swelling and pain: Infiltration occurs when the IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing localized swelling, pain, coolness, and tightness that worsens with movement.
Know when it’s an emergency: Persistent pain accompanied by swelling, redness, a burning sensation, or fever should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately, as it could indicate a more serious issue like infection or extravasation.
Inform your medical team immediately: The most important action is to tell your nurse or doctor as soon as you experience ongoing pain or discomfort at the IV site, as a simple site change is often the solution.
Not all pain is normal: While the initial needle stick is uncomfortable, continuous pain, stinging, or burning from an IV is not normal and is often a sign of a complication that needs addressing.

Understanding IVs and Common Sources of Pain

An intravenous (IV) catheter is a small, flexible plastic tube that is inserted into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, to deliver fluids or medication directly into the bloodstream. While the initial insertion might cause a brief pinch, a properly placed and functioning IV should not cause ongoing pain or burning. Persistent discomfort, especially when moving your arm, is a clear signal that something may be wrong. The primary reasons for this pain fall into a few key categories: mechanical irritation, fluid leakage, and inflammation.

Mechanical Irritation and Phlebitis

One of the most frequent causes of IV pain is mechanical phlebitis, which is the inflammation of a vein caused by the friction of the catheter rubbing against the vein wall. This is especially common if the IV is placed in a high-motion area, such as the wrist or the bend of the elbow (antecubital fossa). Every time you flex or bend your arm, the plastic cannula can move and scrape the delicate lining of the vein, causing irritation and inflammation. This can lead to symptoms like redness, tenderness, and a throbbing pain that worsens with movement. A study published in ScienceDirect noted that IVs placed in the wrist, hand, or antecubital fossa are significantly more likely to fail due to complications like phlebitis.

Infiltration and Extravasation

Another major culprit behind IV pain is infiltration. This occurs when the IV catheter slips out of the vein, causing the fluids or medication to leak into the surrounding tissue instead of flowing into the bloodstream. When this happens, the area around the IV site may swell, become cool to the touch, and feel painful or tight. The pain often becomes more pronounced with movement as the leaking fluid puts pressure on nearby tissues and nerves. Extravasation is a more severe form of infiltration that involves a vesicant medication, which is a substance that can cause significant tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein. In either case, the solution is to immediately stop the infusion and remove the catheter.

Chemical Irritation

Sometimes, the issue isn't mechanical but chemical. Certain medications, especially those with an acidic or alkaline pH or high osmolality, can be irritating to the inner lining of the vein. When these medications are infused, they can cause a burning or stinging sensation that can be aggravated by arm movement. This type of irritation can also lead to phlebitis. An example of this can be the infusion of certain antibiotics. If you feel a burning sensation during an infusion, it is important to notify a healthcare provider immediately.

Comparison of Common IV Complications

Here is a comparison of the key differences between the most common IV complications that cause pain:


Feature	Phlebitis (Mechanical)	Infiltration	Extravasation
Cause	Catheter rubbing against vein wall	Catheter dislodges, fluid leaks into surrounding tissue	Catheter dislodges, vesicant medication leaks into tissue
Key Symptoms	Pain, redness, warmth, palpable cord along vein	Swelling, coolness, pallor, pain, tightness	Intense pain, swelling, burning, blistering, tissue damage
Aggravated by Movement?	Yes, movement increases friction	Yes, pressure from fluid increases discomfort	Yes, pressure and chemical irritation worsen with movement
Location	Along the vein where the catheter is inserted	At and around the insertion site	At and around the insertion site

What You Can Do and When to Seek Help

If you experience pain at your IV site, especially when you move your arm, the first and most important step is to alert a healthcare professional. They can assess the situation and determine the cause. Often, the solution is as simple as removing the current IV and placing a new one in a different location. Never ignore persistent pain, swelling, or redness, as these can be signs of complications that require prompt attention.

Here are some steps to take if your IV hurts:

Notify your nurse or doctor immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Clear communication is essential for your safety.
Limit arm movement. Keeping your arm still can reduce mechanical irritation and prevent further dislodgement if infiltration is occurring.
Elevate the arm. If there is swelling, elevating the affected arm can help reduce discomfort and fluid accumulation, particularly in cases of infiltration.
Use compresses as instructed. Depending on the complication, your healthcare provider may recommend a warm or cold compress to help with symptoms. Do not apply a compress without specific instructions.
Do not pull or adjust the IV yourself. This can worsen the situation and cause further complications.

The Importance of Prompt Action

While many IV-related pains are minor and easily resolved, others, particularly those involving signs of infection or extravasation, can be serious if left untreated. For instance, an infection can lead to a bloodstream infection, which can be life-threatening. Being vigilant and communicating any discomfort to your care team is the best way to ensure a safe and smooth recovery. By understanding why your IV might hurt when you move your arm, you can be a more active and informed participant in your own care. For more information on catheter care and complications, consult resources from reputable medical institutions like the Cleveland Clinic.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Comfort and Safety

The experience of having an IV should not be painful beyond the initial insertion. If you find yourself asking, why does my IV hurt when I move my arm?, it is crucial to recognize that this is not a normal part of the process. The pain is a symptom of an underlying issue, whether it is minor mechanical irritation, a fluid leak (infiltration), or inflammation (phlebitis). Timely communication with your medical team, combined with a basic understanding of these potential complications, can lead to a quick resolution and prevent more serious problems. Always err on the side of caution and speak up if your IV site causes you persistent or worsening pain.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, persistent pain that increases when you move your arm is not considered normal and should be reported to a healthcare provider. While the initial insertion can be a brief pinch, ongoing pain suggests a complication like phlebitis or infiltration.

Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein where the IV catheter is inserted. Moving your arm can cause the catheter to rub against the inside of the vein, increasing irritation and causing a throbbing pain, redness, and swelling.

Signs of IV infiltration include swelling around the insertion site, coolness or blanching (pale color) of the skin, pain or tightness, and the IV drip slowing or stopping.

You should be concerned and immediately alert your care team if you notice increased swelling, spreading redness or red streaks, a fever, pus or bleeding from the site, or intense burning and pain with movement.

Infiltration is when non-vesicant fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, causing swelling and mild irritation. Extravasation involves a vesicant medication, which can cause significant tissue damage if it leaks out of the vein.

Yes, while many IV complications are minor, persistent pain, especially with a fever or worsening symptoms, could indicate a serious infection that requires prompt medical attention.

The very first step is to notify your nurse or doctor immediately. They can assess the IV site, stop the infusion if necessary, and take appropriate action to resolve the issue.