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What Causes Pain And Numbness In Arm After Injury?

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Posted on Fri, 18 Sep 2015
Question: Last night I was putting the awning down on my motor home. It quickly retracted rolling my upper arm in between the metal legs. I was stuck there for 5+ minutes until I could get someone to unlock it so my arm could come out. My arm is still numb this morning and tingling down to my fingers and my finger tips are still white. Should I seek help today from urgent care or an emergency room or am I ok to wait until Monday?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would need some info

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

In your situation it is always recommended to get a checkup to rule out any fracture or damage to nerves I would like you to answer a few questions so that i can guide you better.
1) can you move your arm well at elbow and lift it above head?
2) wrist working ok?
3) is there clear colour change in arm?
4) Can you upload a pic?
5) Is there evdient numbness you are having?
6) Nay swelling?



Regrads.



Dr.Muhammad Ahmad.

M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)

Resident M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (25 minutes later)
I can lift my arm above my head most of the way but it's very painful. My elbow and wrist movement is limited. No change in color of my arm but tingling numbness in my arm and hand and finger tips my hand is slightly white. Better than last night when it happened my hand was very white.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Things seem alright though

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back,

According to your descrition it does not look like a fracture or a nerve damage.

I applogize for the inconvenience but would need answer to two more questions before i give my final opinion.

1) Can you make a good fist easily?
2) Can you feel your pulse?

regards.
dr.Ahmad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 minutes later)
Cannot easily make a fist. Pulse is easily found
Arm and hand are tingling and numb.
Are you still there?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Here are a few suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for writing back , yes i am still here,
According to your history and response to my follow up questions , I am quite positive that your bones and nerves are safe.

Although there looks like quite much of trauma and injury to the soft tissue of your arms and hand. This is casing pain and problem in movements, In such cases there is most of the times internal fluid oozing edema and swelling which can cause numbness along the nerve supply.

In my opinion you can wait till monday to get the thing checked up but here I would suggest you a few things which will help to get quick relief and brisk recovery.

1) Keep the arm on body level or even elevated dont hang it.
2) Take good rest.
3) Icing of the tender or swollen areas do help reduce inflammation and helps getting pain relief.
4) Do Keep you arm as immobile as possible to let it heal.
5) Wrap crepe bandage around it to support it and make healing faster.
6) You can take brufen 400mg twice daily to reduce pain and inflammation.
7) Rubbing creams and gels like Brufen cream or voltral or voren gel does help relieve pain and inflammation. Bio freeze is good too just for pain.
8)If things don't seem to get better or seem to get worsened even after following my suggestions then you can visit your doctor on monday.

Stay calm i am quite sure that this problem is going to get better real soon and you will see quick recovery in next couple of days.

I hope this answered your question. If you have more feel free to ask/
Have a great weekend.

Regards.
Dr.Muhammad Ahmad




Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Muhammad Ahmad

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1308 Questions

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What Causes Pain And Numbness In Arm After Injury?

Brief Answer: I would need some info Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. In your situation it is always recommended to get a checkup to rule out any fracture or damage to nerves I would like you to answer a few questions so that i can guide you better. 1) can you move your arm well at elbow and lift it above head? 2) wrist working ok? 3) is there clear colour change in arm? 4) Can you upload a pic? 5) Is there evdient numbness you are having? 6) Nay swelling? Regrads. Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident M.D.