Any advice would be helpful?

Question

I am having terrible pain/numbing sensation in my right hand. The pain wakes me up at night and is constant throughout the day. It doesn't occur always or every day. I dislocated my right elbow (tore ligaments and muscle) 2 yrs ago. My orthopedic doctor said i was healed a year later. My elbow is fine. I wonder if it could be nerve damage, if so why would it happen now and not then. the pain (numbing/tingling sensation) started approx. 6- 8 months ago. nothing seems to help. Again it only lasts for about 3 days at a time then just as quickly as it comes it goes. Any advice as far as measures to aleve the pain.

I am an LVN and work at a dialysis center. I dont strain my hand at work. The pain is always triggered in my sleep and then will last for a couple of days. I have done ice , heat , aleve, ibuprophen,massage and alot of crying!!! Again my medical md refered my back to my orthopedic specialist. I made the appt. and by the time it came around (a week and a half) i was pain free and looked like an idiot when he could not find anything wrong. He did not do any xrays, only palpated my arm. My elbow to me looks "deformed" compared to the other and I just noticed some slight swelling in it, my hand right now is killing me

Answer 1

It could be some nerve damage...more likely to be carpal tunnel syndrome. What do you do for a living?

You'd be surprised at how something that seems like no big deal can cause persistant pain. One day I fell asleep on the couch for two hours. I had my hand behind my head and I guess I was so knocked out that I never moved that whole time. When I woke up my entire arm was numb. My wrist swelled a bit at the joint and I couldn't move it without excrutiating pain for 3 MONTHS. And being that I was a bartender, it was difficult to work primarily one-handed for that long.

Something that may help is to buy a wrist brace that is designed for carpal tunnel. Even if that's not what you have, it will help ease the discomfort. It has a flat piece, like a splint, that supports your forearm and hand. It limits your range of motion so you won't make those sudden movements that send pain shooting up your arm. The splint also helps to absorb shock in case you hit your hand against something. Being in that kind of pain causes you to tense up through your whole arm and into your shoulders and neck. Since the brace is holding your wrist and hand straight, you can relax the muscles in your hand without fear of making a wrong movement, and the rest of you will relax too.

Have you tried alternating hot and cold? If it is swollen or throbbing try elevating it and icing it to slow the blood flow to the area. If it is numb however, use heat to increase circulation and keep your hand below heart level. During the periods when it doesn't hurt, have someone massage your hand, fingers, and your forearm up to your elbow. Try using ibuprofen or some other anti-inflammatory as well.

There is a slight chance this is related to your previous injury. Eventhough your elbow is healed, there is a lot of scar tissue and when those ligaments and muscles heal, they don't return to their pre-injury state and that could be putting more strain on the ligaments and muscles in your hand.

If you still don't sense much improvement, I would be persistent with your doctor about running some tests. If a problem such as this goes untreated for too long then you'll be more likely to require surgery.

Good luck

*Additional*
Do you sleep in positions that restrict bloodflow to your arm?
Take note of what position you are in when the pain wakes you up.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It sounds like you might have carpal tunnel syndrome. If you do, you can have it diagnosed by a doctor and there is a simple surgery to fix it. They go into the inside of your wrist and cut a tendon or a nerve, (i forget which) and the pain goes away. It's a simple surgery with minimal scarring and quick healing time. My grandma had the surgery and she no longer experiences pain.

Answer 4

Any problem of this sort is a cause for concern. Pain relief will not solve the problem, and will only remove the physical symptoms you are feeling. You should consult your doctor.

Tom
First Aider

Answer 5

It sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me, but I'm not a doctor. You should definitely have your doctor check you out.

Answer 6

Try to change away your old pillow, and try to eat calcium supplement for yuor bone. If can go for message therpy or guasa.