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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Forearm After Surgery Of Broken Elbow
Question: Sir,
My mother, 59 yrs of age had an accident on 1/1/15-elbow broken into two pieces.
Had a surgery (ORIF with 2k wires and TBW-just as shown in the attached picture) on 4/1/15.
Stitch removed on 17/1/15.
Active ROM started the same day and elbow support given.
immediate movement was 120 deg in extension and 90 deg in flexion.
After that she tried her best but no more improvement in movement.
She is not using any support(including the elbow support and the sling) for last 7 days as directed by the surgeon.
But the hand is swelling ( from mid-ulna downwards and notably on the backside of the palm)-there is no redness, no fever, tolerable pain is there.
And the blood test report is like this-
Hb-10, TC-6600, ESR-40, CRP-1.7
My question is-
1) What is the reason of swelling?
2)If ultimately the movement does not improve much-then whether the swelling and pain will at all vanish and then after how many days?
With regards,
-------Biplab XXXXXXX
My mother, 59 yrs of age had an accident on 1/1/15-elbow broken into two pieces.
Had a surgery (ORIF with 2k wires and TBW-just as shown in the attached picture) on 4/1/15.
Stitch removed on 17/1/15.
Active ROM started the same day and elbow support given.
immediate movement was 120 deg in extension and 90 deg in flexion.
After that she tried her best but no more improvement in movement.
She is not using any support(including the elbow support and the sling) for last 7 days as directed by the surgeon.
But the hand is swelling ( from mid-ulna downwards and notably on the backside of the palm)-there is no redness, no fever, tolerable pain is there.
And the blood test report is like this-
Hb-10, TC-6600, ESR-40, CRP-1.7
My question is-
1) What is the reason of swelling?
2)If ultimately the movement does not improve much-then whether the swelling and pain will at all vanish and then after how many days?
With regards,
-------Biplab XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
She should continue pysiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think your mother should continue to work on physiotherapy. Her range of movement will only going to get better.
As far as swelling of forearm is concerned it is going to stay for some time (up to 3 to 4 months).It is common after any surgery. It is caused by increase blood flow to that limb,as body tries to send nutrition to healing part. So it is needed for fracture healing.
If sutures are removed and there is no pus discharge from wound than her tests are normal.
Her pain will be vanish in one more month, I would suggest you to give her following drugs.
1.Etoricoxib for pain and swelling.
2. Calcium and vitamin D 3 for better fracture healing.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks.
She should continue pysiotherapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think your mother should continue to work on physiotherapy. Her range of movement will only going to get better.
As far as swelling of forearm is concerned it is going to stay for some time (up to 3 to 4 months).It is common after any surgery. It is caused by increase blood flow to that limb,as body tries to send nutrition to healing part. So it is needed for fracture healing.
If sutures are removed and there is no pus discharge from wound than her tests are normal.
Her pain will be vanish in one more month, I would suggest you to give her following drugs.
1.Etoricoxib for pain and swelling.
2. Calcium and vitamin D 3 for better fracture healing.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
Thanks.
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
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :2002
Answered : 4486 Questions
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