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What Causes Swollen Painful Hand During Pregnancy?
Question: my wife is 38 she is pregnant and her hand is swollen and extremely painful. we went to the local er on Thursday and the doctor asked us what we thought it could be. He had no idea and sent us home.
The pain and swelling in her hand is worse at night and unbearable. It is getting worse by the day and so is the swelling. There has been no trauma and we are worried and she is extremely uncomfortable and unable to sleep or tolerate the pain.
The pain and swelling in her hand is worse at night and unbearable. It is getting worse by the day and so is the swelling. There has been no trauma and we are worried and she is extremely uncomfortable and unable to sleep or tolerate the pain.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
I could think of two possibility as the possible cause for the symptoms
1. Carpal tunnel syndrome: The Median nerve which supplies the muscle of hand , enters the hand from forearm by passing through tunnel known as carpal tunnel. In pregnancy due to excessive accumulation of fluid and extracellular matrix there may be compression of median nerve . This leads to pain and swelling without other associated signs of inflammation like redness and fever. It's more likely to be the cause in absence of trauma or other positive history.
2. Cellulitis: It is inflammation of hand . It causes diffuse swelling especially over the back of hand. There will usually be redness and any movement will produce pain.
Diagnosis will depend on good clinical examination, hence I urge you to consult another doctor, preferably a surgeon.
In the meantime I would suggest you the following which will definitely
1. Limb elevation: Place the hand on two pillows while sleeping so that hand is above level of chest
2. Hot compresses
3. Analgesic: Ibuprofen will definitely help
It would also be helpful if you could provide the clinical photograph.
Do keep me updated
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS, MS, MCH
Consultant Surgeon
Possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
I could think of two possibility as the possible cause for the symptoms
1. Carpal tunnel syndrome: The Median nerve which supplies the muscle of hand , enters the hand from forearm by passing through tunnel known as carpal tunnel. In pregnancy due to excessive accumulation of fluid and extracellular matrix there may be compression of median nerve . This leads to pain and swelling without other associated signs of inflammation like redness and fever. It's more likely to be the cause in absence of trauma or other positive history.
2. Cellulitis: It is inflammation of hand . It causes diffuse swelling especially over the back of hand. There will usually be redness and any movement will produce pain.
Diagnosis will depend on good clinical examination, hence I urge you to consult another doctor, preferably a surgeon.
In the meantime I would suggest you the following which will definitely
1. Limb elevation: Place the hand on two pillows while sleeping so that hand is above level of chest
2. Hot compresses
3. Analgesic: Ibuprofen will definitely help
It would also be helpful if you could provide the clinical photograph.
Do keep me updated
Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS, MS, MCH
Consultant Surgeon
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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