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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Medicine For Unable To Move Thumb And Index Finger?

I have had moderate to severe pain in forearm for three weeks. For the last two weeks my thumb and index fingers have tingling and now can't move them at the last knuckles. My dr put me on prednisone (today is day three of the prednisone ) the prednisone is helping a lot with the arm pain, but I still can't move the thumb and index finger at the last knuckle. The tingling gets worse when I straighten the elbow or bend my wrist back. The thumb and index are not numb, they just won't work.
Tue, 10 Jan 2017
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Physical Therapist or Physiotherapist 's  Response
Hi,

What you are having is radial nerve entrapment at elbow joint. Since you are responding well to prednisone, there is no need in change of medication. However you need to follow some ergonomic advice. Avoid extension, pronation and wrist flexion to prevent repeated injury. Take cold packs on your elbow to minimize inflammation.

For the inability to move the thumb and index finger, you can slowly start with moving them with your other hand and as the irritation of the nerve subsides,slowly you will regain the strength (try doing this with your elbow flexed, forearm supinated and wrist extended). Still if you want a proper treatment, physiotherapy will help you. If at the end of Prednisone medication and preventative measure the pain does not subside you might need an operative procedure to relieve the nerve.

Hope this helps you. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Jenis Bhalavat
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Suggest Medicine For Unable To Move Thumb And Index Finger?

Hi, What you are having is radial nerve entrapment at elbow joint. Since you are responding well to prednisone, there is no need in change of medication. However you need to follow some ergonomic advice. Avoid extension, pronation and wrist flexion to prevent repeated injury. Take cold packs on your elbow to minimize inflammation. For the inability to move the thumb and index finger, you can slowly start with moving them with your other hand and as the irritation of the nerve subsides,slowly you will regain the strength (try doing this with your elbow flexed, forearm supinated and wrist extended). Still if you want a proper treatment, physiotherapy will help you. If at the end of Prednisone medication and preventative measure the pain does not subside you might need an operative procedure to relieve the nerve. Hope this helps you. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Jenis Bhalavat