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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Painful Lump On The Arm After IV Insertion?

I recently had lap chole procedure to remove gallbladder. The nurse had issues getting the iv started and I was stuck several times in my left arm/hand leaving bruising and she finally got it in my right hand. My surgery was 13 days ago...I still have a little bruising in those areas (she was determined to get it in and kept digging). About 4 days ago my left arm started hurting - feels more like a muscle ache except I ve not done anything to cause a sore muscle. It hurts to straighten it and close to one of the bruises (right above my elbow is where it seems to be concentrated. Sometimes when I m rubbing the muscle I feel a lump but I have a hard time finding it sometimes...could this be a blood clot? There is no redness, swelling and I don t feel like I have a fever but I haven t really checked it.
Mon, 22 Aug 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
This is superficial thrombophlebitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot. Some factors contribute and increase the risk of superficial thrombophlebitis and it is intravenous catheter/injection which has caused superficial thrombophlebitis in your case. Involved vein becomes hard, red, swollen and there will be pain and tenderness in the area of distribution of involved vein.
Advice
1.     Apply cold compress with ice soaked pack
2.     Keep your hand elevated
3.     Ibuprofen 400 mg thrice daily per oral after meal for 1 week
4.     Apply heparin gel (Thrombophob topical gel) five time daily for 15 days
Hardness of vein will go slowly and it may take more than 6 months to become soft as normal.
Thanks
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What Causes Painful Lump On The Arm After IV Insertion?

This is superficial thrombophlebitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot. Some factors contribute and increase the risk of superficial thrombophlebitis and it is intravenous catheter/injection which has caused superficial thrombophlebitis in your case. Involved vein becomes hard, red, swollen and there will be pain and tenderness in the area of distribution of involved vein. Advice 1. Apply cold compress with ice soaked pack 2. Keep your hand elevated 3. Ibuprofen 400 mg thrice daily per oral after meal for 1 week 4. Apply heparin gel (Thrombophob topical gel) five time daily for 15 days Hardness of vein will go slowly and it may take more than 6 months to become soft as normal. Thanks