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What Causes Stiffness In Elbow Post Tension Band Wiring?
Question: I am 28 year old male. I fell from a speeding bike on 16/07/2015. and my left elbow was fractured.
On examination, it found that a cumminuted fracture for olecrananon process. Heavy abrasions were also present.
Surgery and Tension Band Wiring (TBW)/Block had been done on 16/07/2015.
My hand was supporting in a semi open plaster of paris cast and bandage with sling support after that.
After one week, I felt some kind of numbness and difficulty in curling the little finger and ring finger. Doctor prescribed me Renerve plus OD capsule (1-0-0) for three week.
On 30/07/2015, Stitches were removed and asked to extend and flex the elbow. Hand was supporting simply in a sling pouch after that. Also prescribed me Lecalsy Capsule (1-0-1) for one month and Tribary tablet (1-1-1) for 5 days.
I did the exercise, but did not able to extend the elbow after particular degree and more problem in flexing.
On 13/07/2015, i met the doctor and asked me to meet the physiotherapist and asked to extend the elbow fully. As i was relieved from the numbness problem, doctor asked me to stop Renerve plus capsule.
My physiotherapist placed hand on the side of bed, added a 1 kg weight and extended the elbow fully. but there was heavy pain on the inner side of elbow and on the inner side of the forearm near to elbow area. I cannot express that pain. Asked to continue this exercise. Told to avoid sling pouch.
I continued the exercise for 2 days. But i was feeling pain near to elbow area, while holding the hand without sling support.
Yesterday night onward I am feeling some pain on the inner side of elbow, inner side of forearm near to elbow area, while simply resting the hand. While pressing on that area, i am feeling pain. i am also not able to extend the elbow, because of pain. I am also feeling numbness on my little finger and ring finger also feeling mild difficulty in curling the finger. Right now i placed my hand again in the sling pouch and discontinued exercise. What will be the reason for this?
Expecting your reply
With Regrads
On examination, it found that a cumminuted fracture for olecrananon process. Heavy abrasions were also present.
Surgery and Tension Band Wiring (TBW)/Block had been done on 16/07/2015.
My hand was supporting in a semi open plaster of paris cast and bandage with sling support after that.
After one week, I felt some kind of numbness and difficulty in curling the little finger and ring finger. Doctor prescribed me Renerve plus OD capsule (1-0-0) for three week.
On 30/07/2015, Stitches were removed and asked to extend and flex the elbow. Hand was supporting simply in a sling pouch after that. Also prescribed me Lecalsy Capsule (1-0-1) for one month and Tribary tablet (1-1-1) for 5 days.
I did the exercise, but did not able to extend the elbow after particular degree and more problem in flexing.
On 13/07/2015, i met the doctor and asked me to meet the physiotherapist and asked to extend the elbow fully. As i was relieved from the numbness problem, doctor asked me to stop Renerve plus capsule.
My physiotherapist placed hand on the side of bed, added a 1 kg weight and extended the elbow fully. but there was heavy pain on the inner side of elbow and on the inner side of the forearm near to elbow area. I cannot express that pain. Asked to continue this exercise. Told to avoid sling pouch.
I continued the exercise for 2 days. But i was feeling pain near to elbow area, while holding the hand without sling support.
Yesterday night onward I am feeling some pain on the inner side of elbow, inner side of forearm near to elbow area, while simply resting the hand. While pressing on that area, i am feeling pain. i am also not able to extend the elbow, because of pain. I am also feeling numbness on my little finger and ring finger also feeling mild difficulty in curling the finger. Right now i placed my hand again in the sling pouch and discontinued exercise. What will be the reason for this?
Expecting your reply
With Regrads
Brief Answer:
Can be an internal injury or swelling.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
After a tension band wiring it is normal to have a stiffness in the elbow. Mild swelling and pain can also be present. This pain and stiffness usually subsides after physiotherapy exercises.
If there is a sudden pain and increase in the swelling after physiotherapy then an internal injury is likely. The presence of numbness of the little and ring finger is due to local soft tissue swelling. It is best to consult your orthopedician and get an X-ray of the elbow done to find out any problem or proper healing. Avoid physiotherapy for a few days and take rest. Doing a hot compress will help in decreasing the local swelling.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be an internal injury or swelling.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
After a tension band wiring it is normal to have a stiffness in the elbow. Mild swelling and pain can also be present. This pain and stiffness usually subsides after physiotherapy exercises.
If there is a sudden pain and increase in the swelling after physiotherapy then an internal injury is likely. The presence of numbness of the little and ring finger is due to local soft tissue swelling. It is best to consult your orthopedician and get an X-ray of the elbow done to find out any problem or proper healing. Avoid physiotherapy for a few days and take rest. Doing a hot compress will help in decreasing the local swelling.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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